Love is a collection of traits that are developed over time and then exerted for the good of someone else. That’s why love isn’t easy. It takes time, and those who don’t invest time in growing as a person will often struggle to love others well over time. One of the traits that allows us […]
Mountain climbers have always fascinated me. The strength and skill required to do what they do is unbelievable. I read recently about climbers attempting to scale Everest a couple of years ago. There had been an avalanche, so the mountain had been closed to climbers for several weeks. When the mountain reopened there was a […]
Jesus famously taught that loving God and loving our neighbor was the foundation of following God. It sounds shockingly simplistic. As we begin to try to love God and others though, we quickly realize that things that are simple are not always easy. To begin with we must face the question: “what is love?”. After […]
When Jesus summarized the Old Testament commandments from hundreds down to two directives, you would think that it would have made things easier for those seeking to follow God. While it makes things more clear, it does not make them easier. Love God and love your neighbor. Clear enough. But love can be tricky. My […]
Each year my good friend Tony and I compile our list of our favorite movies from the past year. This is always a challenge, because many great movies hit theatres in December in order to gather steam for award season, and we just don’t have time to see them before we complete our lists. Tony […]
During the course of my career and ministry, I’ve talked to hundreds of people who were hoping to save or repair a relationship in their life. I’ve talked with parents who were struggling with their children, and husbands and wives who were struggling with each other. I’ve comforted the heartbroken and sought to calm the […]
My favorite book from this past year was “Secrets In The Dark: A Life In Sermons” by Frederick Buechner. I’ve long been a fan of Buechner, enjoying both his fiction and his memoirs. Simply stated, reading Frederick Buechner is good for the soul. This amazing collection of sermons gives great insight into his thinking and […]
Jesus loved to tell stories. All were powerful, but some, like the one below, were incredibly brief. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. At first glance, this doesn’t appear […]
“Evicted” marks the culmination of Matthew Desmond’s years of research and work in the poorest areas of Milwaukee. The result is a heartbreaking and enlightening look at poverty and the struggle for thousands of people to make and keep a home. ”Evicted” does more than just look at impersonal statistics, it steps into the homes […]
Book #3 on the list of books I’ve most enjoyed over the past year is Cash: The Autobiography of Johnny Cash. The book makes you feel as if you are sitting on a porch in the Tennessee mountains and listening to the Man in Black tell stories all afternoon. Fascinated, inspiring, and heartfelt, the story […]