I’m Learning To Budget My Brain
Every December I invest fifteen hours or so to plan my life for the next twelve months. I review my current activities, I add some items, remove others, and I prioritize. Then I literally budget how …
What If We Can’t Forgive Ourselves?
I know a man convicted of a violent crime against someone he loves. He acted in a momentary rage; he had never been violent before. It shocked him. Now he’s in prison. Prison bars are not his greatest …
My First Parachute Jump Ever … and My Last
As a young boy, my weekends were filled with imaginary World War II battles. Nearby parks fielded the Battle of the Bulge, and the skeleton of a local building project (fatefully a new funeral home) …
The Cyber-Nature of Spiritual Attacks
My brother-in-law Dan Lohrmann is the State of Michigan’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Deputy Directory for Cybersecurity. His job is to protect the state from attack.* What does this mean? Every …
What Can Westboro Baptist Teach Us About Grace?
I once talked with a group of college students, and one of them asked, “How do you explain Westboro Baptist? I can’t stand Christianity because of churches like them.” Westboro fan protests Have you …
Most of Us Read The Bible The Wrong Way
Have you ever been in a relationship in which everything you say is misunderstood? It’s as though the other person has a built in bias to misinterpret you: You say their new tie is attractive. …
Is There Any Value in Experiencing Deep Shame?
A lethal virus is infecting many believers today. It’s the pop-therapy that claims shame is bad. Shallow-shame is bad, but only deep-shame brings healing. Without it we are doomed. J. I. Packer tells …
Esther: Why Whitewash God’s Scandalous Grace?
I question our practice of painting biblical heroes more heroically than the Bible does. Hiding the faults of our heroes robs us of grace. That’s why the Bible doesn’t hide them. I once suggested we …
How Scary Are The Tests Of God?
It is natural to shudder when we think about the tests of God. They seem so scary. Yet I believe the tests of God are the key to hope and joy. Let me explain. I began flying lessons in 1997. These …
Why Do Our Children Leave The Church?
Why do so many people—with incredible conversions—parent children who leave Christianity? History overflows with great saints whose offspring lose faith: Samuel was a mighty prophet of God. His sons …
Are We Neutering God?
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently elected to reject “In Christ Alone” for their next hymnal. Their committee originally chose it but wanted to replace one phrase with altered lyrics. The …
The Success of Failure And The Failure of Success
I used to know a guy—just an everyday guy—who was a perfectly pleasant person. Then success spoiled him. I first met him on a client visit where he was a mid-level manager. Fifteen years ago, through …