This is the devotion I wrote for our church's Lenten devotion book this year. It was for yesterday, the sixth Sunday in Lent and coincided with my sermon on the same text. Luke 15:11-32 "But while he was still far off, his father saw him was filled with compassion..." Our passage today is the well known story … Continue reading Hunger
Category: Faith Reflections
Trading Corn Husks for Prime Rib
* This is the sermon I was to deliver today as part of our series entitled "Meal Times: Going Deeper with God and Others". However, the weather decided to bless us with one last hurrah of snow and prevented us from gathering together physically. But snow cannot stop the gathering of the hearts and spirits of the … Continue reading Trading Corn Husks for Prime Rib
Love-Crazy Father
This Sunday I'm preaching on the story of the Prodigal Son (or as I prefer to call it - The Story of the Love-Crazy Father). It was the assigned text for this Sunday and also happens to be my favorite parable told by Jesus. For most of my life, I focused predominately on the prodigal … Continue reading Love-Crazy Father
I Got This, God
Several years ago, I went to a counselor for the first time because I had been struggling with depression for over a year or so. It took me awhile to admit I needed to see someone and it was only when things got really bad that I finally made the call. I remember clearly the … Continue reading I Got This, God
One Thing that is Certain
If someone were to ask you, 'What is the one thing in life that is certain?' you would have to answer, 'The love of Christ.' - Brennan Manning This truth is the one thing that helps me the most in life. When I start to get out-of-whack with hopes and expectations in people or ideas, … Continue reading One Thing that is Certain
Working Out With God
Most days it takes a lot of effort to get my rear on the treadmill. Not because I have ginormous rear - although it most certainly isn't dainty. I was pretty plus before plus was pretty. I simply struggle to get excited about the hamster race. I would much rather walk outside but when the … Continue reading Working Out With God
Gates of Time
This summer I was at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum - a memorial to the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Murrah Federal building which killed 168 people. It is a beautiful and power memorial. We were only able to view the outside memorial due to the hour of the day but the symbolism of that … Continue reading Gates of Time
Freedom for Les Miserables
I just returned from seeing the movie, Les Miserables, tonight and sat down to write a Facebook status about how amazing it was. Go now to see this powerful story of the wretched ones on a quest for hope and redemption. Really. NOW. Find a screening and get there. No need to thank me later. My … Continue reading Freedom for Les Miserables
Honest Trees of Winter
I love the changing seasons. It may be because I get bored easily but I like to think it is because I appreciate that most things in life have a beginning and an end. And then another beginning and another ending and so forth. We learn to be present in the season and not fear … Continue reading Honest Trees of Winter
Source of Significance
On Wednesday night, I was talking with the youth about our sources of significance. What or who is it that we look to to validate our worth and to prove our significance? There is a lot of similarity between how teens and adults would answer: Relationships. Work or Grades. Success. Money. Popularity. Looks. Influence. There is a long … Continue reading Source of Significance
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