I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. -2 Tim. 1:5, NLT (words in bold, mine) Regarding passing on a healthy spiritual legacy, the main point we’ve been trying to make and illustrate from the “family is a conduit … Read More
The Double Helix of Faith and Family, Part 2 of 4: Illustrated
I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. -2 Tim. 1:5, NLT; words in bold, mine There was a spiritual strength and stability that my grandparents on my mom’s side brought to our family just by their proximity. My … Read More
Focus for Fall: Big Lessons from Small Creatures, Part 5 of 5
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, … Read More
Focus for Fall: Big Lessons from Small Creatures, Part 4 of 5
“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings’ … Read More
Saying Yes to Diving in the Caribbean
You’re never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream. –C.S. Lewis It’s not often you get an invitation to stay at a friend’s sea-front home on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, combined with an offer to take you scuba-diving every day. Bonaire is one of the most beautiful and easiest places in the world to … Read More
Making Life Disciples: Lessons from Allison’s Story
[Note: This post, also published here, gives a glimpse into the work I do at Care Net. The intro and lessons learned, however, have wide application to all of our ministry efforts.] Sometimes we think—or certainly want—our discipleship efforts to be like biting into a York Peppermint Patty: joy explodes into the lives of those we’re ministering to and things are never … Read More
Why I’m More Interested in Conversion Than Collusion
One of the greatest joys I’ve had to date is baptizing new believers into the Christian faith—especially my children (that’s my son, Timothy, above!). Experiences like that—especially given the disheartening state of politics—are far more compelling than Hillary’s email server, collusion with Russia, or Donald’s tweets. It’s not that I don’t want justice to “roll down;” I do. It’s not … Read More
Back to School to Honor a Good Man
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me… so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I give thanks to you forever. (Psa. 30:1,2,12, NRSV) … Read More
Women in Church Leadership, Part 1
In a previous fellowship of churches, I was often asked to speak when a pastor was away. On one occasion, I asked my daughter to read the passage I was preaching on that morning before I spoke. To my surprise, a fellow pastor in our denomination wrote a letter questioning why we would let a woman stand behind the sacred … Read More
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