Constellations of Flame

One of the most interesting moments of my trip from the California coast to Kansas City occurred during a three hour delay on highway 299 in northern California. Due to fires, the highway was only open at specific times when CalTrans and CHP would shuttle a convey through the fire lines. I had just missed …

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Parenting: Another short exchange.

My five-year-old came out of her room having just awakened. I knelt down and enveloped her in my arms to give her a morning hug. As I held her, my mind went to the children in our homeless shelter and those parents I know who've lost little ones. I thanked God for this precious one. …

Dear Lord, give me strength…

Most of us have, at some time, heard someone say something like, “Never pray for patience because then you’ll have it tested.” I’m not sure where that originated, but it’s a pretty stupid statement. Of course, when I hear someone say something like that I never say, “That’s stupid!” That would be very unpastoral of …

Are we willing to suffer for Jesus?

"He killed James the brother of John with the sword..." Acts 12:2 We love the story of how God miraculously delivered Peter from the Herod's jail. Peter had been chained between two soldiers, guarded by four squads of soldiers. I have, in my bible, highlighted verse 5, "but earnest prayer for him was made to …

Are we giving God our best, or what’s left over?

You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 17:1 How often do we give God our leftovers? Not merely "tithing" after taxes or what is left over at the end …

Being prepared to give account for our hope

The Boy Scout motto is, "Be prepared!" In Colorado, particularly during the late spring and through the summer, the weather can suddenly turn. It's not uncommon to experience almost daily thunder showers which come on quickly, drench everything in sight, and move on just as fast. Autumn as a teenager was a time of sweatshirts …

Parenting: A short exchange

Me: Please be careful. Child: I'll be as careful as usual. Me: I am not comforted.