Advent: When God Makes Our Problems His Own-Part One
Have you ever thought, “I wish God would just show himself. Then everything would be easier.” I’ve imagined meeting God for coffee, hashing out my plans for the day, taking my marching orders from him,...
View ArticleAdvent: When God Makes Our Problems His Own-Part Two
Whenever someone brings up the problem of evil in our world or criticizes God for how things have played out, I always want to know what they would do differently or better. In a sense, this has...
View ArticleAdvent: When God Makes Our Problems His Own-Part 3
Over the past two days I’ve focused on the ways that Jesus came to save us from sin and death, but that really only tells part of the story that began on Christmas. The concept of the incarnation is...
View ArticleJesus is Coming, What Do I Expect? More Time
Nine years ago we were newlyweds. I remember when our photo album arrived from the photographer with 4×6 prints and negatives. Yes kids, people actually used to hold pictures in their hands, and you...
View ArticleLearning How to Wait Better During Advent
When I saw the enormous flowers toppling over our Christmas cactus on the dining room table for the first time this morning, I knew I had a problem. How long had those blooms been sitting right under...
View ArticleAdvent: Giving Gifts from Our Closets
Years ago, God prompted me to give away my favorite tie. I’m not lying. I was praying and God brought up my pride with my personal image. Fine God. What should I do? I heard, “The tie.” God knew that I...
View ArticleAdvent: Christmas Is Coming and We Will Not Survive
I can feel the pull of Christmas. It’s coming, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive. Holidays bring formalities, and formalities play to my weaknesses in ways that I can’t quite describe. It has...
View ArticleAdvent: Giving Gifts that Can’t Be Repaid
It’s a shame that I usually let Best Buy and Amazon promotions determine the kinds of gifts I give to others and when I give them. The New Testament is full of teachings about giving and generosity. We...
View ArticleAdvent: Do We Know What We’re Waiting For? (And a Book Announcement)
Ever since I started to really dig into the Gospel stories in seminary, I’ve been fascinated with the people who didn’t follow Jesus. In many ways, those “unfollowers” were the people I could relate to...
View ArticleAdvent: Jesus Tried to Warn Us
I have a confession to make. I’ve never liked singing Silent Night with candles. I know, I know. I’m officially sub-Christian. No angel wings in heaven. A banjo instead of a harp. It’s going to be...
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