“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, KJV) Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “If you had to go back in time and start a brand new career, what would it be?” I believe in the sovereignty of God and that “in Him we live and move and have our being.” He definitely … Read More
First Job Lessons and Surprises
Continuing my Storyworth project, here’s how I answered, “What did you find surprising when you started your first job?” Prior to my first full-time job, I had many part-time jobs that probably began working for my dad, who was a self-employed land surveyor and, during lean seasons, a part-time carpenter/ handyman. One of my earliest memories of “helping” him in this latter … Read More
Against False Political Binaries
I know posting political rants gets some out of bed in the morning, but I’m not sure most are helpful. On the one hand, I get it. The statement routinely attributed to Edmund Burke, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing,” warns against passivity. We reason that we need to use our voice … Read More
60 Songs that Saved My Life
Hey Friends, Whether I’m ready or not, and whether I want to or not, I turn 60 on Monday! Pam is celebrating with me that day by taking a trip to Ithaca, NY, to see Cornell University and the surrounding area. Although many of you don’t have Spotify, I wanted to share a playlist called “Greg Austen-Sixty Songs that Saved … Read More
What I Learned from Marilynne Robinson
Hi All, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and have many fun things to look forward to over the next month. One of my favorite traditions is spending a day in Princeton between Christmas and New Year’s with my boys. One of our annual stops is Labyrinth Books on Nassau Street. Almost two years ago, while browsing about, I … Read More
Hell Revisited
In 2019, I wrote a post titled “Understanding Jesus’ Teaching on Hell.” In it, I admitted that “I’ve wrestled for years with the Bible’s teaching on hell and its implications,” and this is certainly still true. At that time, I also shared some quotes that had helped me the most, and now—six years later—I’d like to do the same. The last … Read More
Is Your View of the Finished Work of Christ Too Small?
“Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady.” -lyric from U2’s song “Stand Up Comedy” Over the last year, as I discontinued church planting efforts and stepped back into full-time work as a finish carpenter and contractor, I’ve had Bono’s words above echo in my mind almost daily. Yes, we sometimes participate with God as his hands … Read More
On Civility, Cancel Culture, and Abortion
I could have titled this piece “Notable Quotes and Controversies of the Last Few Weeks,” but although it would have been accurate, it wouldn’t have been very descriptive about what the quotes or controversies were about. That’s why I decided to go with the above. Additionally, as regular readers will know, I’ve often written about these topics, and they frequently … Read More
Hope for Cynics: Looking Outside Ourselves, 3 of 3
As you and I continue to work on ourselves (Part 2), Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 reminds us that even bunglers and “bungler” realities can’t diminish the beauty of wisdom, the status of the poor in God’s eyes, or the value of quiet, unsung, heroic acts of service (Part 1). This is a comfort, no doubt. But even heroic acts of service … Read More
Hope for Cynics, 2 of 3: Grappling with the Bungler
13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered … Read More