2023 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Four Jesus Principles for Setting New Year Goals
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Every New Year finds millions creating a list of resolutions. Research shows that making a list is actually a great idea. Jesus seemed to agree.
Category Archives: SELF-DISCIPLINE
THIS IS MY FIGHT SONG
Four Little Known Bible Fight Songs
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Confession: I’m a sucker for inspirational, underdog-overcoming-life stories. The Bible is replete with them. Noah against the flood, Gideon and his band of 300 warriors against thousands of Midianites, Esther against Haman, Daniel in the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and of course, David against Goliath. I can’t get enough […]
CHOOSING MENTAL HEALTH
Why Simone Biles Will Always Be A Winner
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Simone Biles, the most lauded U.S. gymnast in history, unexpectedly pulled out of the women’s team competition at the Tokyo Olympics, citing concerns about her mental health. Good for her. It has been encouraging to watch the Olympic community of athletes rally to support her decision. Good for them. It has been refreshing to read […]
BUILDING GRATITUDE
The Best 5-Minutes of Any Person's Day
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A few years after my father died, I went on a one-month sabbatical. I drove from Texas to California and back, stopping along the way to take in the beauty of the land and to reflect on my life. It was a great experience in some ways. In others, it was difficult. Finding Joy […]
WOMEN IN MINISTRY, VOLUME NINE
Occam's Razor and Overthinking the Creation Narratives
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I tend to overthink things. It’s the engineer in me, I guess. My Mom tells me that it’s my Dad in me. My Dad was a classic overthinker. Sometimes that can help you. Sometimes it gets you into trouble. Is it possible that we are overthinking the creation narratives? Occam’s Razor Occam’s razor is a […]
WOMEN IN MINISTRY, VOLUME EIGHT
Who's the Boss?: The Serpent, the Woman, and the Man
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My Dad always tried to teach me to take responsibility for my actions. He never enabled me by making excuses for my bad behavior. I have, at times, struggled to be as good as my Dad in this area. I draw some consolation in the fact that I am not alone. None other than Adam, […]
ASH WEDNESDAY
The Journey to Resurrection
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Today is Ash Wednesday. For many Christians, it is a day of prayer and fasting and the beginning of the journey to Easter. Before the joy of the resurrection, comes the realization of the human condition and the painful reminder that our sins made the crucifixion necessary. What does Ash Wednesday mean for you? […]
LIFE IN REALITY TELEVISION
Jesus and Living in Three Dimensions
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Watching the news has become too much like watching reality television — a lot of drama with little substance — out of balance. I don’t like reality television. The problem with this is that watching can be addictive. Too much of anything can destroy your spirit. What does Jesus teach us about the value of […]
THE DANGEROUS BIBLE
Three Ways We Try to Tame the Bible
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One of three “Slave Bibles” known to exist is on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. The “Slave Bible” was given to European missionaries working with African slaves in the Americas. Slave owners wanted their slaves to become Christians but also wanted them to remain compliant. Printed in London in 1807, […]
STRENGTH IN A CRISIS
A Way Forward When Things Go Wrong
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Our country is in crisis. Trust is at an all-time low. Violence is increasingly a normative form of expression. And the institutions and values that have traditionally held us together lie largely abandoned on the side of the American road. What can Jesus teach us about navigating a crisis? Strength in the Crisis Jesus […]
