Lent is a time of reflection, specifically a time to examine our limitations, our brokenness, and our failings. Its purpose isn’t to create shame or drive us to depression, but to awaken us to reality, and to the all-encompassing good news of Easter and God’s good grace. An important thought to consider during Lent is […]
The popularity of websites like 23andme and ancestry.com attest to how eager many of us are to know the history of our grandparents’ grandparents. In discovering where we come from, we hope to understand ourselves a bit better. I’ve spoken to many people who are filled with pride to find that a distant twice removed cousin […]
My first Ash Wednesday experience came via drive-thru. God bless the Presbyterians. It had been a long week. My nephew and I had gone to fill a prescription. I had hoped to participated in an Ash Wednesday service this year, but circumstances had made it impossible. Winding back through downtown we passed by a local […]
The definition of determinism is that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. Christian determinism and Calvinist schools of thought would say that the external cause is God. While I disagree with some of the tenets of this philosophy, I will have to admit that I have felt […]
I love art museums. I love being surrounded by the old masters and the contemporary ones. The beauty and creativity encourage and energize me. When our local museum was looking to add to their pool of docents, I jumped at the chance. It’s been a great way to volunteer in the community and it ensures […]
While studying at seminary, I attended a local church. I enrolled in an evangelism class they offered that would study a curriculum and then go door to door in surrounding neighborhoods. The thought of it terrified me. I am an introvert by nature, and the idea of going to a stranger’s home unannounced seemed incredibly […]
I was driving by a fire station a couple of weeks ago when I saw a sign that I hadn’t seen before. The sign stated that the station was a safe surrender site. That means someone could bring a child there in the first seven days of his or her life and hand them over […]
Few authors had as clear an understanding about the challenges of growing as a Christian as did Dallas Willard, and few books explain the process better than his 1988 classic, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. There are a small number of books that should be read and reread over your […]
I love to read and to learn, and I also love to share when I stumble upon amazing books. These 6 books were my favorite reads from 2018 and I think you’ll enjoy them as well. I’ve attached Amazon links in case you want to buy a copy today! I also enjoy getting reading recommendations […]
George Frederick Handel is one of the most famous composers in history. His Messiah is played and performed in churches and auditoriums all across the world each Christmas. The USA Today once reported that 125 million people had heard Messiah the previous year. His composition has influenced other songs as well. One hundred years after his death, […]