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Egypt
There are no easy solutions. The two extremes that are making the most noise and doing the most damage today don’t offer solutions. In the midst of it all, Christians are being threatened constantly. All the voices shouting today scream violence and revenge. I find myself in a place where I can’t pray for “one side” or another. I pray…
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Quick thoughts from Proverbs
A couple of verses from Proverbs 14 and quick thoughts: Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. (v. 13, NLT) I think of this one as I grieve today over the news of a college student who died Monday night. I knew him from classes he took from me and can remember a…
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An Outpost of Eternity
I desperately want to end the “small church” / “big church”… “growing” church/ “NOT growing” church… debate. I won’t. I will never get away from it and no matter how long I pastor, it will always be in my mind. But I want MORE. Not more “numbers.” I want more realization in my heart… and in the hearts of those I meet…
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Does God’s Word WORK?
Reading Nehemiah 8, I am struck by the reaction of the people when they actually heard the Book of the Law taught to them. They wept. They were sorry. Something struck them in such a way they knew they had lived in disobedience and they wanted to get it right… and it grieved them. There is still a place of conviction. We…
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Early Thoughts on Nehemiah
First of all, it’s not a good idea to be in a sour mood around the king, especially if you’re the cupbearer. But besides that… When the king asked what Nehemiah needed, Nehemiah was ready to respond. What are you dreaming in prayer? What are you asking for along the way so that when the opportunity comes, you know what…
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Early Thoughts on Ezra
We are reading through Ezra and Nehemiah this week as we journey through the Old Testament Historical Books this summer in our church. Early thoughts on Ezra: that whole “intermarriage” thing should be a fun discussion.
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Bible readers
The past few years I have used digital Bibles more and more. I have Logos and also use Olive Tree. Logos is fabulous for study. But I drift more toward Olive Tree. I can use Olive Tree across all platforms easily. Logos is good for that as well. Where Olive Tree works better for me is keeping notes. Olive Tree…
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Things I have a hard time figuring out
Paranormal romance Nostalgic hipsters Someone being a little pregnant Military intelligence “Tolerant” people who can’t stand intolerance Restaurants that have to say on their sign “Fine Dining.”
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Worst King EVER
2 Chronicles is a repeat of the ups and downs of kings in Judah (mostly). This time through I noticed there were a few kings who actually started “well.” They followed God. They wanted to follow God. They tried to follow God. Then… they faded in the stretch. Many ended poorly, often struck down by pride. Then there is Manasseh. In 2…
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Dream with Me
I sat with a young man working with InterVarsity in Duluth, MN this morning. We dreamed some big dreams together as I listened to a young man caught up in the call of God and longing to impact students lives that can make a difference in the decades to come in the fields of science and math. Huge dreams. Yesterday…
