“I love Jesus, but not the church.” This is what someone recently told me, and it left me puzzled. The person continued, “Can’t I watch a sermon online in my living room? I’ll never leave Jesus, but I’m done with the church.” Is it possible to have Jesus without the church? What role does the local church play in personal transformation? Can one grow spiritually without participation in the local church? In conversations like this one, I sense grave confusion concerning the doctrine of … [Read more...]
On potential
Less than 24 hours separates the birth of our oldest granddaughter, Briley, and our oldest grandson, Colten. And in the blink of an eye, they are both graduating from high school this month. When they were both babies, you could hold them in your arms. At that moment, you could envision the potential they both possessed to fulfill God’s purposes for their lives. When I see a new baby, or a student completing educational milestones, 2 Peter 1: 3-4 splashes across my mind: “His divine power … [Read more...]
School choice an answer to CRT, LGBT activism
On April 19 I testified before the Missouri House of Representatives General Laws Committee. I was surprised at how little some committee members knew about the highly controversial 1619 Project being pushed by the New York Times. The 1619 Project teaches children that America was not founded in 1776, but rather in 1619 when a group of slaves (historians dispute they were slaves) arrived to North America. The 1619 Project has been roundly criticized by liberal American historians for a … [Read more...]
Churches shouldn’t have a fourth wall
It’s the late ’70s and you’re an up-and-coming television host with a new morning show. You’ve booked an icon in Judy Collins. She comes on the stage, takes a deep breath, sings into the microphone … nothing. What do you do? If you’re David Letterman and crew, you use it as an opportunity. Letterman came onto the stage and said, “You know, ladies and gentlemen, what you have just witnessed is a screw up.” Letterman’s biographer noted: “And instead of getting angry, Letterman came across … [Read more...]
The treasurey-est treasure
I was just thinking about a time someone gave me a big box of chocolates. It was a few years ago but I still remember how excited I was. It was one of those boxes with the diagram inside the lid. Diagram. Treasure map. Samesies to me. Because: chocolate. But something awful happened the next day. I got sidetracked and forgot to take the box out of the car. In the summer. A few hours in my oven-car and instead of a box of chocolates, I ended up with one big, sort of un-shaped, chocolate … [Read more...]
The healing power of caring relationships
Think back to your favorite teacher, coach or even cabin leader at summer camp, now ask yourself “Why was this person my favorite?” Mr. Nolten was my favorite teacher in high school because every day, after teaching an algebra lesson, he would give the class time to practice our new knowledge. During the practice time he would always make his way to my desk, kneel beside me and patiently watch and guide and encourage me in such a compassionate tone. His special attention was a contributing … [Read more...]
Not my Kid!
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 (NKJV) Many who have worked in the field of education have encountered parents who felt their kids were perfect. When their children got in trouble, parents would often blame “those kids s/he is running around with” or it was someone else who did it and didn’t tell the truth about their child, etc. Why? Could it be that we don’t see our own children clearly? Perhaps we may consider their misbehavior a reflection on … [Read more...]
On gratitude
Experts (whoever they are) tell us that one of the great challenges of Covid’s impact last year and its 2021 remnants is the issue of negative emotions. There are plenty of disappointments, changes, deaths, and losses to go around. Whether we articulate it or not, the result is that we all grieve at some level of loss. Some lost more than others. Some key milestones in life were cancelled. Some organizations will never be the same. But we all grieve, and if we choose to internalize our … [Read more...]
Running the race after the death of a loved one
In the Oscar-winning film, “Braveheart,” there is a scene where Queen Isabella whispers a great truth in the ear of the evil English King Longshanks on his death bed. “You see?” the queen says. “Death comes to us all.” Of all the trials and sufferings in my life, none have tested my faith in Christ and my commitment to fulfill God’s purpose for my life than when confronted by death. I did not think there could be anything more painful than watching my 60-year-old daddy draw his last … [Read more...]
Gospel informed memory care
As one ages, the inability to recall information is both common and somewhat disconcerting. “Where did the television remote go?” might simply be a frustration. However, it can also be a symptom of something more serious, especially when mom calls you at work claiming, “The plumber stole my remote.” Nagging questions such as “Did dad take his meds?” and “Did mom remember to turn off the stove?” are health and safety issues that cause family and friends to wonder when, and where, should we … [Read more...]
‘Expect great things’
In 1792, William Carey, in a sermon to a gathering of Baptist ministers, supposedly said, “Expect Great things from God, attempt great things for God.” Unfortunately, history has no record of the rest of the content of that message. No one hit record on the camera. But there must have been a third point to his sermon. Every sermon has three points, you know. Unfortunately, the third line did not catch on, like the first two did, and has been lost. Until I discovered it, yes, through … [Read more...]
The rollercoaster ride of life
“You must be at least this tall to ride this rollercoaster.” When I was a kid, I simply could…not…wait until I was finally, finally, tall enough to ride a rollercoaster. I’m a short chick, so by the time I reached that minimum height requirement, I was a teen—and there was no rollercoaster fierce enough. Twirl me around and upside down? Yes. Loop de loop? Twice, please. Flip me upside down and plunge me to the center of the earth? Bring on the magma, baby. You could launch me upside a … [Read more...]
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