Christian discernment is not the process of applying minds and imaginations to issues of life and culture. It is, rather, applying minds and imaginations…
A Poetic Endnote on Sleep
I know that some people think me a little compulsive for always glancing through the endnotes of books by authors I respect. Endnotes aren’t…
The Gnostic Life
There are always people who talk a good deal about prayer, but don’t go near the creation theater. It is not that they don’t…
Blaming God
Faith / Scripture / Spirituality
The long line of ants parading across the kitchen counter leads to a jar of sticky strawberry jelly left open last night by someone…
Quietly Neglected Texts
Whenever I reread a beloved book I discover details I had not noticed before. A description that changes how I imagine a scene, or…
Doubt, Faith, and Knowledge
If you read the New Testament you will probably notice that some of the disciples of Jesus are mentioned quite often. Peter shows up…
On Being Misunderstood
Faith / Scripture / Spirituality
I’m just a soul whose intentions are good Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood [Elvis Costello] Being misunderstood, especially by somebody you…
Discernment Exercise: Loving People
Community / Exercises / Scripture
On relationships, and all that The Bible makes it clear that God’s covenant people are to be characterized by love. He loves us and…
Reading the Word: Calvin on offense
When Christians offend Christians Several years ago I was speaking at a large weekend annual conference on the East Coast, leading several breakout sessions…
What Would Jesus Value?
Discernment / Scripture / Spirituality / The Skill
Surveys reveal there is apparently a marked disparity between the number of people—especially among males—who claim to believe in Christianity and the number who…