On Sunday, I shared I had just returned from a visit in Southern California and caught myself thinking of the poem of Suzanne Lummis, “Shangri-La,” in which she contends that Los Angelinos are always young, always suntanned, and always “real,” that LA is inside a...
“Blessed be my rich Lord Jesus, who sendeth not away beggars from his house with a toom [empty] dish. He filleth the vessels of such as will come and seek. We might beg ourselves rich (if we were wise), if we could but hold out our withered hands to Christ, and learn to suit and seek, ask...
Book Recommendations Books of all kinds are, for me, a source of delight, books both old and new. Many age-old Christian authors have impacted my theological perspectives and have served as wise counselors. I occasionally joke that some of my best friends have been dead for over 400 years!...
Announcing a baby's birth is a big deal in our world. There seems to be an ever-growing industry catering to baby announcements that developed around me without me realizing it. From birth cards to gender reveal cakes, there are all sorts of ways to celebrate the coming of a new child into the...
I’ve been thinking about “home”. Several things seem to be prompting these thoughts: recently reconnecting with life-long friends in planning our 50th High School Graduation Reunion, yesterday’s conversation with my 95 year old Aunt Martha (the only living sibling of my...
Have you ever been astonished by the Lord Jesus? I must admit there are times when I am in complete awe of our Savior. Most of the time, I'm seeking to listen or serve Him, not really in great awe of Him. When I'm confused, I want a quick, easy answer that makes sense in my mind. My mind wants...
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1.9 This verse from Ecclesiastes was something of a theme verse during my time studying computer science at Covenant College. One of my professors...
My original pick to win the March Madness national basketball tournament has managed to advance to the final game. As I write, it’s 12 hours until tip-off for the Monday, April 8, evening championship contest. “Think your team is going to win it all?” asked a fellow round-ball...
If something is an imitation, it isn’t as valuable, right? The off-white, naugahyde handbag with LV splashed on the side will never impress. The Rolex with a jerky second hand, well, don’t even try. Surimi paste, though made with real Alaskan Pollock, will never be real crab. A...
Question: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 1) Those of you who know me well, already know I have been studying for ordination exams in our denomination, The Presbyterian Church in America...
