The Burden and Privilege of Raising Prodigals (Part One)
“These are the sons God has given me….” –Genesis 48:9 Many parents carry a tremendous weight of guilt when their children take the road of rebellion. The burden seems greatest on the shoulders of those in ministry. Granted, there are READ MORE
Where Suffering Meets Creativity (Blog Two -The Healing Power of Writing)
Crammed in our basement closest, in a dark corner sits a box groaning under the pressure of several other heavy, unopened boxes. This one box, bent, but intact, contains half a dozen journal, I’ve hardly glanced at in thirty years. READ MORE
The Healing Power of Writing
I first discovered the power of writing when my wife, Elaine, fought for her life following emergency surgery to remove a meningioma brain tumor in Liverpool, England. The surgeon’s words to me following the operation cut me as deeply as READ MORE
Grasping Mercy’s Reach!
I’m on a quest trying to understand how restoration can happen in community rather than out of community. The best I can do in this blog is lay out the burden and come far short of reaching any answers. Perhaps READ MORE
Fools Gold and the Gospel
A young friend called me not long ago and sounded a lot like me. He leads a ministry team at his college. The team travels nearly every weekend to minister to youth groups around the eastern and southern parts of READ MORE
Misappropriated Anger
Anger at others and toward the institution (church, church leaders or district and district leaders, the mission organization and true of any organization) will often distract us from the necessary attention for the deeper issues in our own life. When READ MORE
In Our Day, Truth is a Revolutionary Act!
I often write to process things in my own life, probably as much as to instruct others. That’s certainly the case with this blog. Here’s what I’m processing right now. Christians can be amazingly compassionate when wrong is done, but READ MORE
The Best of Times, the Worst of Times
I used to help people wiggle out of problems. As a pastor and counselor I thought this was my role. After all, people came to me hoping that somehow I could rescue them from their dilemma. Why else would they READ MORE
Before I Un-Friend you, I Have Something I Want You to Know
You’ve been a friend of mine on Facebook for some time now. Today, I plan on un-friending you. (* see comment below) Before I un-friend you, I have just a few things to say, and yes let me establish first READ MORE
Depending On Jesus’s Total Commitment, Not Mine!
The rain fell hard against the windshield. I had just purchased new wiper blades and they proved their worth by pushing layers of water long enough for me to keep my eye on the road before the glass was assaulted READ MORE