Reflections on Irises Years ago while I was taking a Psychology minor in my undergrad, my wife worked in a large, privately owned franchise (if that’s the right word) of group homes, all over the Bay Area. I would drop into the counselor’s office at times for shop talk. She had a very large lithograph of Irises in a beautiful frame. I was mesmerized by the work, so she eventually gifted it to me. As I share some reflections now,... Read more
Cruz is Graduating It’s hard to believe all these years have come and gone, but he’s graduating. Every once in awhile I reserve the right to stray from the formula. This is that moment. I want to talk about my son. He’s graduating this spring. He gets excellent grades and he has completed dual-enrollment courses with college credit as part of his high school curriculum. He’ll be attending a state college next year to start working on his general education... Read more
Vignette | French Girls Question Church Attendance “Yeah we go to church… on Easter and Christmas.” My cousin, my brother, and I had met 4 French girls in the mall. They could not believe we were getting ready to go to church on a Wednesday night. What kind of Christians were we? Well we certainly didn’t want to make them feel bad for being nominal Christians because we were making time with them, walking the mall. One of them had... Read more
Double Minded | When We Draw Near to God Previous article: Double Minded | Torn Between Two Worlds CLICK James does not explain the details in a formula. He uses the term double-minded as a lifestyle – a label. So the answer is not in a particular formula. The answer is in a lifestyle change, a new way of life… that is the one thing. Is it better to try a particular diet for a while, or to commit to a life... Read more
Double-Minded | Torn Between Two Worlds In the movie City Slickers, Billy Crystal plays a confused, dissatisfied thirty-something character with a vague sense that life is passing him by. Jack Palance, – ancient, leathery, wise to the ways of the world (“a saddlebag with eyes”) – asks Crystal if he would like to know the secret to life. “It’s this,” Palance says, holding up a single, index finger. “The secret to life is your finger?” asks Crystal “It’s one thing,”... Read more
About Scripture Schedules At this point, I have tried it all, or just about everything. I started out with the topical Scripture schedules put out by the NAE (National Association of Evangelicals). After a couple years I tried the NAE schedules to read through the Bible in a year. On average, it would take me 1 1/2 years to 2 years. I’ve read through the Bible many times since those early years. I’ve thought it’s best to remind yourself of... Read more
Scripture Shared at Church We change into the likeness of the one that captivates our souls! Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34.5, NLT Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. Romans 14.22b Opinion: I believe there’s a lot of masking guilt going on out there because you either have a clear conscience before God… or you... Read more
Even the Wind and the Sea Obey, pt. 3 This is part of a series: To read part 1 CLICK To read part 2 CLICK “Who then is this?” We relate to The Twelve, but Mark focuses on Jesus Christ’s identity. He’s the One who draws us away from the crowds On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in... Read more
Even the Wind and the Sea Obey, pt. 2 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. (Mark 4.39, NRSV) This is part 2 of a series. To read part 1 CLICK Peace! Be Still! can also be translated Quiet down! My favorite translation: My Mom taught kid’s class at church, set up a makeshift boat, all the kids piled in, and Melissa... Read more
Even the Wind and the Sea Obey, pt. 1 He did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In