Filed under Spiritual Formations

FOR Christ or WITH Christ?

FOR Christ or WITH Christ?

If life seemed too stressful, too complex, or too hard, I knew that a visit to Grandma would cure it.  Life was simple for my Grandma.  I never saw her drive.  I never saw her cook.  She could hardly see, hardly hear (unless I yelled in her ear), and spent most of her time sitting … Continue reading

Are Miracles Rational?

Are Miracles Rational?

Before we jump into this question, we need to define miracles.  In some ways, childbirth, the sun rising, and various other events in nature are “miraculous” in one sense or another.  However, for the sake of this discussion, we want to define miracles as “an interference with Nature by supernatural power” (C.S. Lewis, Miracles).  Or, … Continue reading

iPhone 5 Superpowers

iPhone 5 Superpowers

This week I got the new iPhone 5 (be jealous).  My wonderful wife sacrificed her AT&T upgrade to apprehend this coveted device as a gift for my birthday.  Ringing in my ears were Jesus’ words, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his (cell phone upgrade) for his friends’ (John 15:13 … Continue reading

Drowning

Drowning

Drowning.  This racist man is not only metaphorically sinking down because of the weight of his guilt, but literally submerged by the torrent of the sea.  His soul gasps for grace while his body gasps for air.  All pretension and posturing of ethnic pride is washed away by the certainty of death which makes every … Continue reading

Key to Leadership: Humility

Key to Leadership: Humility

Leadership guru John Maxwell places humility as the highest trait of the most effective ‘Level 5’ leaders. Bradley Owens, assistant professor of organization and human resources at the University at Buffalo School of Management says that humility is a powerful predictor to the success of a company or organization.[1] Jim Collins researched qualities of the … Continue reading

Good Samaritan and Me

Good Samaritan and Me

Writhing on the ground from a fall, I happened upon a middle-aged man and woman who had fallen into the street during rush hour. Cars zoomed pass narrowly avoiding making the couple tragic road kill. I stopped just shy of them, turned on my emergency flashers and asked what had happen and if they needed … Continue reading

Apologetic Character

Apologetic Character

Apologetics is the rational case for Christianity through offering arguments and/or evidence for its truth, defending it against objections, and responding to competing claims.  1 Peter 3:15 says “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (literally give apologetic) to anyone who asks you for a reason for … Continue reading

Work of Art

Work of Art

Colorful yet indiscriminate scribbles on construction paper.  These were the priceless works of art that “Papa” hung all around his workshop.  My wife’s grandfather was a tough yet tender man who loved, more than anything, his sweet granddaughter.  Because of that, he also loved the masterpieces she produced just for him.  They weren’t special as … Continue reading