The ability to reframe anxiety is a vital personal growth tool that we - introverts and otherwise - should seek to master. Having spent most of my life being an anxious and nervous person, this took me a look time, and I am still working on it. But the progress so far...
Idolatry
Seeking God in Catastrophe and the Stillness After the Storm
When bad things happen, people often begin intentionally seeking God. I have thought a lot about that in the context of I Kings as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires are ravaging many lands. And, even as this is happening, citizens of the United States are...
Sometimes it Pays to be a Quitter
Quitter. It’s such a nasty little word. I am sure - like me - when you hear it, you immediately think to the refrains of “quitters never prosper.” Or perhaps, “quitters never win.” That’s advice that is well-intentioned, but perhaps is misguided. Looking back on my...
How Phil Vischer’s Second Act Rises Above the Loss of Veggie Tales
As my home church was launching a young disciple's study from Veggie Tales creator, Phil Vischer, I was reminded of his Vischer’s own tale. It’s one of brokenness, challenge, triumph, defeat, loss, sorrow, regret, and coming back. I thought more about it and concluded...
Most Christians Are Wrong About Halloween
I’ve been in the “Christians verses Halloween” debate many times. It compelled me to write this post last year, and I am sharing it again - edited a bit - because it continues to contribute to the active conversation going. Not all will agree with me, but here’s why...
Memorial Day Perspective About God and Patriotism, Plus Seven Related Posts
Patriotism and Christian worship is believed by some to have no right being mentioned in the same sentence; though others might consider them very much of the same. I've struggled with it for a long time, feeling that we sometimes allow a lines between them to become...
The Curse of the To-Do Checklist
Are you a list maker? Do you write down everything you need to get done because it’s the only way you can keep organized or make sure everything gets done? Do you begin each list item with circles, squares, hearts, maybe a mixture? I… am… a… list maker. And it helps....
Which Headline Do You Like Better?
One of the things I dislike about television weather coverage is the emphasis of fear they place in the context of it. Every winter I can count on a "Snowmageddon" or "Winterblast (insert current year here)" being promoted as reasoning for why we should tune in and...
We Are Not Rocks. We Are Not Islands.
When I wrote the poem, That Rock, I was drawing upon the two verses that appear below. They both offer a great foundation (pun intended) for how to live in continual recognition that I am nothing without the mercies and grace of God. And a man shall be . . . as the...









