“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 Every step is the way. Every action is formation. Lonnie was among the best supervisors I’ve ever had. It was a summer job at a warehouse, and I had all kinds of tasks that kept me busy. I inspected products and sorted pallets. I checked rodent traps; repainted safety …
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2 As I shared yesterday to start my sermon, Martin Luther King Jr. was in London in 1964. He was preaching, and he …
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 The holidays are over—time to do some reflecting. How did you do? Not with your diet or gift-giving or decorating. Instead, grade yourself on your interactions with others. Did you pass with flying colors? Fail? Crash and burn??? The holiday season, if you listen to …
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 In his letter to fellow scientist Robert Hooke, Sir Isaac Newton stated, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Five hundred years earlier, Bernard of Chartres said the …
“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 Yesterday I showed our confirmation students the animated classic of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This scene from Disney’s 1940 classic “Fantasia” is cinema gold from some of the earliest days …
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27 My late father-in-law’s favorite song was Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” This music marvel of an a cappella song has 7 tracks mixed together, each made using only McFerrin’s voice. Its carefree vibe and musical artistry made it a global …
“And David danced before the Lord with all his might.” 2nd Samuel 6:14 It was a long day, and my team was tired. We had gotten to that point in the summer where the newness of things had long worn off, but we were not yet close enough to the end to lean into a “finish strong” mentality. Things had …
“But when Simon Peter saw it (the miraculous catch of fish), he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8 Yesterday I drove through part of the Great Smoky Mountains. Two of my girls have been with family for the last couple of weeks and it was time to …
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training…” 1st Corinthians 9:25 I was so slow I went to speed camp… I was headed into my Junior year of high school and most of my life revolved around chasing a big orange ball up and down a basketball court. Playing hoops was a big part of my identity and …
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1st Corinthians 9:25-27 As you read …
