During the last month, I read Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor, a wonderful biography by Brad Gooch,. In the book, Gooch tells the story of O’Connor’s friendship with Betty Hester. For nine years, they corresponded by letter. In these letters they discussed matters of theology, philosophy, and the content of the various books they… Continue reading You Don’t Have to Be Your History
Category: Jesus
Why I Bought THIS Book For My Children
Moments ago, I placed an order on Amazon. I eagerly hit the “Place Your Order” button. My purchase? Two copies of Scot McKnight’s new book One.Life. One copy is being sent to my daughter in Oklahoma City. The other copy is being sent to my daughter in Tennessee. I don’t do this often. But this… Continue reading Why I Bought THIS Book For My Children
Question: What Are The Issues at Work?
I am thinking through some of the issues related to being a Christ-follower at work. What are some of the issues that you have faced as you have tried to follow Christ in the midst of your career? What are some of the issues that your friends have faced? I first began thinking about this… Continue reading Question: What Are The Issues at Work?
The Looking
(The following is my second attempt at poetry. Thanks to L.L. Barkat for her encouragement regarding this attempt. See her very good blog here and her new book, God in the Yard, here.) The Looking In the mirror one day, I saw a self. Body. Mind. Emotion. I took a closer look and peered into… Continue reading The Looking
21st Century Ministry and 2 Corinthians (Part 4)
Many Christians feel tired and worn out. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 contains an important reminder that the incredible change one experiences as a Christian is not an act of the will but an act of Jesus through the Spirit of God. This means that being an effective Christ-follower in the 21st century is not a… Continue reading 21st Century Ministry and 2 Corinthians (Part 4)
“But What about Me?” The Curse of Self-Consciousness
It was an interesting moment. I was a freshman in high school. A photographer was present to take school pictures. That morning, he was taking pictures of our high school basketball team. I was in the gym and for a few minutes watched as the photographer first took a team picture and then took individual… Continue reading “But What about Me?” The Curse of Self-Consciousness
Guest Writer: Connie Lard
The following was written by today’s guest writer, Connie Lard of Florence, Alabama. Connie has served for many years as a health-care professional. She also is an avid reader and a good thinker. On a number of occasions, I have read her reflections, poetry, etc. and have come away moved and encouraged. *** “Lord, teach… Continue reading Guest Writer: Connie Lard
Question: What Do We Actually Practice?
This week I’ve been reading the Sermon on the Mount as well as much material about the Sermon on the Mount. I have also been reading Dallas Willard on discipleship. I heard him speak twice today at Truett Seminary (Baylor University). So—I am giving a lot of thought to the words of Jesus this week. … Continue reading Question: What Do We Actually Practice?
My Purpose in the Morning
Years ago, I read J. I. Packer’s Knowing God. For some reason when I think of that book, I think of cold weather. After all, it was winter, and we were living in North Alabama. For weeks, I waded through Packer’s work, chapter by chapter. It was a book that helped me see that my… Continue reading My Purpose in the Morning
What Is at Stake?
An ordinary day may be more than "ordinary." In fact, much may be at stake. I was thinking about this yesterday in light of the day, which seemed pretty ordinary. It was an ordinary Wednesday in many ways. Much time was spent in preparation for the message this Sunday and for a class that… Continue reading What Is at Stake?