Sometimes I’m just not sure where to land. One day I’ll be earnestly grappling with places of disconnect between what I say I believe and what my life actually demonstrates. The very next day (or even the very next moment) I’m resting in the amazing reality of the finished work of the cross. It’s been … More Audacious, Bold … and Content
“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.” ― William Wilberforce I was only eight so the drive seemed long. We were driving from Bangkok, where we lived at the time, to Pattaya, … More Shine the Light (on Slavery)
Have you ever noticed a disconnect between the things you say you believe and what you consistently live? Me too. Although I have always had a very high value for authenticity and tend to be very transparent about my own weaknesses and struggles, there are many values and beliefs I hold dear in my heart that do … More The Substance of Grace
As I’ve already shared, I’ve committed to posting a couple times a month over on the Live Brave blog. My first post over there was this short poem. I like to get my head around things in simple terms and I wrote that first poem to do just that. I wanted to answer the question … More Until I Know
It has always perplexed me that I can post some inane random thought on Facebook and immediately receive a slew of “likes” and comments, but then post something on a serious issue, such as human trafficking, and things go eerily silent. It happens in other forums too–even in the wonderful world of blogging. I’ve often … More When Silence Isn’t an Option
I woke up today feeling like a baby elephant was sitting on my chest. I started crying the moment I got out of bed. Sometimes you just need to do that … cry. This world will break your heart. There is so much injustice. So much pain. Some of it is personal. Some of it … More Let Love Begin With Me
As 2013 ends and 2014 begins I find my heart overrun with one predominant emotion … GRATITUDE. Right now I am in a puddle of tears simply because I’m grateful. I’m so, so grateful for this past year. No, there weren’t any particularly spectacular events that took place this year. In fact, there was a … More Grateful … and Content
The tears just kept coming. As they did, all I could hear was: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The flood of emotion caught me off-guard. I didn’t think I had any current reason to be mourning. It seemed like things were finally shifting. Mostly, it seemed like I was shifting. … More Hope in the Mourning
Would you end it? That’s the provocative question asked in a recent video from the END IT Movement. (Click here to see the video.) It hit home because of a couple of conversations I had just this past week. In discussing the issue of human trafficking, we were lamenting the fact that many people really … More If you could see it …
A few lines was all it took. It was a “random” preview of an upcoming book written by a young man with a passionate hunger for the presence of God. I don’t know what the book is about as a whole. And I have no idea of its merit as a whole (although I suspect … More The Disconnect
So, apparently Paul had this “thorn in the flesh” … We don’t know what it was. Some people have tried to speculate, but Scripture doesn’t say. I figure if the Holy Spirit wanted us to know, he would have recorded it. He didn’t. That in itself says something to me. Although I’m sure the specifics were really … More Thoughts on Thorns
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Cor. 4:17). But sometimes our troubles seem neither momentary nor light. Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly … More In Between
I have something to say. Not everyone will like it. And it’s not for everyone. Sometimes I don’t want to say it. Hell definitely doesn’t want me to say it. But I do have something to say. It’s cost a lot … Many a tear stained carpet. Many sleepless nights spent wrestling. Then surrendering. Then wrestling … More I Will Not Be Silent
What do you want? What do you really want? What do you really, really, really want? When you’re quiet — when chaos and commotion have been stilled — when it’s just you and your Creator — when you’re … – gazing into his eyes – secure in his embrace – safe and free to dream … More Dream … or Default?
Time. It seems there is never enough of it. I find myself running late far too often. On any given day I feel like I’m behind on dozens of things. That feeling often carries over from a task level to a heart level. Sometimes I feel like I’m behind in life. I feel like there are things … More Time Is My Ally
“What we do in life, echos through eternity.” —Maximus (from The Gladiator) Sometimes I need to remind myself … This isn’t all there is. Don’t get me wrong, there is much to apprehend here and now. I want to press on to lay hold of the things for which Christ has laid hold of me. … More Eternity
Words. They can be so simple. And they can be so complex. They can give life, hope, and inspiration. They can also bring death, discouragement, and destruction. James says the power of life and death is in the tongue. I believe it! (And not just because it’s in the Bible.) I believe it because I’ve lived on both sides … More Words
“You made a way for me to enter the holy place …” (from the song “You Made a Way” by Matt Gilman) I’d sung the words many times, but this time they hit my heart with fresh revelation. He made a way. For me. To enter the holy place. Into the most holy place. Into the … More The Way Maker
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. –Phil.4:12 Are you content? Right here. Right now. Exactly where you are. Doing what you are doing. Thinking what you are thinking. Feeling what you are feeling. Today … Are you content? Are you at peace? Are you thankful? Are you hopeful? Are … More Monday Morning Musings: Learning the Secret
The darkness was closing in around me. The wilderness had been bleak and threatening before, but not like this. Never like this. I couldn’t see a thing. Each step brought new danger. Each moment seemed more and more ominous. Even the air was heavy–I could scarcely breathe … Hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. Confusion reigned. … More The Gift (v.2.0)
