Always Look Your Gift Horse in The Heart
There once was a great king who ruled with wisdom and grace. One day a gardener arrived at court with a great carrot. He said to the king, “O King, this is the finest carrot I have ever grown. I wish …
Should We Ever Wrestle With God?
Written by Sam Williamson In The Princess Bride, the criminal genius Vizzini repeatedly and inappropriately exclaims, “Inconceivable.” His partner Inigo Montoyo finally reflects, “You keep using that …
The Wonder of the Ascension
A couple of weeks ago Christians celebrated the Ascension of Jesus. Do you ever wonder why we celebrate the Ascension? I understand celebrating the birth of Jesus, and his resurrection, and even his …
The Heresy of Wonder-less Theology
I wonder sometimes if the greatest problem facing the modern church is a lack of wonder. When we were kids, all kinds of experiences brought wonder. Our first trip to the zoo filled us with wonder. …
Pursuing an Inner Life
These two pictures show Mt. St. Helens. One was taken on May 17, 1980, and the other was taken several days later. Beneath the calm exterior of a majestic mountain boiled an inner life that would …
Imagination, Intimacy, and Hearing God
I’m discovering that meditation is one of the most powerful ways to hear God. No, “powerful” isn’t a strong enough word. Meditation may be the most profound, deep, life-changing, heart-enriching way …
Christianity: Will-Power or Desire-Power?
I know a man, a really good man, whose life is filled with drudgery. He dutifully cares for his wife and family; he dutifully pours out his life in service; and he dutifully attends to work. He …
How Does God View Us?
There’s a story about the artist Michelangelo who passed by a block of marble somewhere. He stopped transfixed and said, “I see an angel in there. Quick, bring me my chisel.” This story illustrates …
Hearing God and Reflection
Thirty years ago I lived and worked in London with several other men. We were involved in campus ministry and the charismatic renewal. One housemate—let’s call him Tom—spent a couple hours in …
Our Downward Spiral of Addiction
Cynthia Heimel lived in New York in the 1970s and she knew actors and artists before their fame—while they were still bussing tables and driving cabs—but she also knew them after their fame. She wrote …
Avoiding Avoidance
Deathbed advice offers impact which no other advice provides. My father died of cancer sixteen years ago. A few weeks before his death, knowing he would die soon, my father offered me advice. As a …
Confessions of a Legalist
When I was in the business world, I used to meet with various executives to provide them with projects updates. During one trip I met with a CFO one day and with his president the next day. The CFO …