God’s splendor is a tale that is told.
Ever wonder why whacking your head bleeds so much worse than, say, a papercut? (Although I’d argue the papercut hurts more. What IS that?) That’s because there are way more blood vessels in your head than your hand. Blood is a cleansing and protecting agent, and when you damage a vital spot, it bleeds more …
There’s this wild story in the Bible [Mark 2] where a paralyzed man is lowered through a roof in a jam-packed house. This guy’s buddies carry him up the back stairs, CUT A HOLE IN THE ROOF, and drop him onto Jesus who forgives his sins and heals his body. There are tons of great …
If I’ve ever driven you somewhere, we’ve gotten lost. Well. I wouldn’t say “lost.” Never, you know, lost-lost. More like took the scenic route. Had an adventure. A side-quest. I just get caught up talking! Roads and stop signs are so boring, and our connection is so interesting. I see that other stuff all the …
These are my actual jeans. Notice anything odd about them? (Hint: It’s the knees.) I acquired these pants at different times, and I’ve worn them in steady rotation over the last four years, but when I bought them, none of them had holes or weird dye jobs (a fashion plate, I’m not). I earned these …
Fruit is meant to be eaten. If you leave an apple on a tree, it’ll overripen and fall useless to the ground. If you leave it on the counter, it’ll decompose and stink up the place. If you don’t use it, it’s ruined. But for that apple to be useful, it has to change state. …
Don’t you just love love? Whether it’s romance or friendship, there’s something about truly being known by and knowing another person that really does it for us. What’s interesting (read: amazing, beautiful, shocking-in-a-good-way) is that if we raise our eyes just a bit above our everyday experience, we can see the source of love itself. …
I just got back from a week in sunny Florida, my first solo travel in 6 years. I showed up with a backpack and no plan aside from thawing out. As I kept telling people, I was just happy to be there. This trip was a much-needed time of rest for me, a fermata of …
Where do you encounter the presence of God? At church? In worship? In prayer? What about while you’re cooking? Or exercising? In line at the store? God is not separate from your daily life. He’s not hiding or absent or locked in a building you visit once a week. He’s WITH YOU. All the time. …
Weird question: Where do you look when you’re on the beach? Where are your eyes? Do you look up or down? Around or right under your feet? I’m the second kind; I’m staring directly at the ground whenever I hit a beach, my eyes combing the sand for unusual or shiny things. Maybe I’m part …
Having faith doesn’t mean you have no doubts. Having peace doesn’t mean you have no struggle. Having Jesus means your doubts and struggles are firmly underfoot, pinned and conquered, squirming in the captivity of their submission. “With me, faith means perpetual unbeliefKept quiet like the snake ’neath Michael’s footWho stands calm just because he feels …
I walk a bit cockeyed. A weird-shaped hip socket and a couple surgeries will do that to you. I am also almost always in a hurry. Even before having a kid (which magically makes you late for everything), I rushed everywhere, trying to save time and be more efficient. I walk like I’m on a …
No one likes being told they’re wrong. Especially not when it comes from the Almighty. It makes us feel small, unworthy, and hopeless. We want to crawl under a rock and never again burden the world with our presence. But that’s the exact opposite of His intention! It’s us going too far. That sorrow you …