I have calmed and quieted myself. — David, Psalm 131:2 WELCOME I wonder how many people in your office, your gym, your daily commute could say they’ve cultivated a quiet heart? What we assume is a normal lifestyle is absolute insanity to the God-given nature of our heart and soul. Nonetheless, this is the world…
Recovering Transitions
Your soul is the vessel God fills, yet there is no room for Him to fill if your soul is wrung out, twisted, haggard, fried. Put another way, your hands cannot receive a gift while they are still tightly clenched. That is the condition we are trying to recover from and avoid further commerce with.…
Rescue from the Madness
There’s a madness to our moment, and we need to name it for the lunacy it is. Because it’s taking our lives hostage. First, there’s the blistering pace of life. I texted friends an announcement that was really important to me; they replied with little thumbs-up emojis. I think to myself, That’s it—you can’t even…
In Love with Distraction
Stasi and I celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary with a trip to Kauai. We find it the most gorgeous of the Hawaiian Islands, maybe one of the most beautiful places on earth. Volcanic cliffs covered with lush tropical forest spill right down to the water’s edge. Hibiscus blossoms fall onto the peaceful rivers that wind…
Nothing Is Lost
Grab Hold with Both Hands That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures…
All Things New: The Hope of Renewal
Picture a treasure chest. Not a small box that might hold jewelry on a girl’s nightstand — a large treasure chest, larger than any suitcase you own, larger than any suitcase you’ve ever seen. Picture a massive oak treasure chest, like pirates might have used, with large iron hinges and a huge clasp. The size…
Your Participation
After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them… His master commended him: “Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.” — Matthew 25:19-21 The Message You are created to accomplish a work worthy of God; it is one of your deepest…
Time for a Fresh Start
Is anything too hard for the Lord? — Genesis 18:14 It’s a brand-new year. It’s the time of year we start thinking about making changes. This year, rather than writing a quick list of resolutions that we’ll likely forget before February, maybe we should take a different approach. This is a good time for…
Restoration Year: Training by Engaging
Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. — James 1:22 NASB You will be tested. Like Jesus’ desert trial, the enemy comes probing at your weak spots. But this trains you. It’s how you develop a resolute heart. You make no agreements with whatever the temptation or accusation…
Why I Stopped Saying ‘I Will Pray For You’
I’ve come to the place where I have had to stop telling people, “I’ll pray for you.” I simply know that despite my good intentions — and these promises are almost always spoken with good intent — I know that nine times out of ten I just don’t remember to follow through. Not until maybe…