I was pondered all that I had to be thankful for on this annual 4th Thursday in November, set aside for just such thinking. With the swirling tides of 2020 pulling at me, it was a real effort to not get swept away in doubt, cynicism, anger and even a touch of self-righteousness. Taking a […]
Purpose – It’s simpler than we make it.
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Purpose. What were we put on earth for? Did God simply plunk us down without an instruction manual, just a cheery ‘good luck!’? Almost 20 years ago Rick Warren wrote one of the bestselling non-fiction books of all time – The Purpose Driven Life – in an effort to answer these very questions. In small […]
Lenses on Race
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I have been intentionally engaging in difficult/uncomfortable conversations, attempting to better understand the escalated racial tension in our nation. Finding folks willing, even eager, to talk is easy, especially if you agree with them and they with you. The challenge has been to engage with those espousing different perspectives. The result? A minor revelation – […]
Questions – revisited
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I have started to occasionally wake up very early again, or you might call it late. No doubt the current state of the world coupled with my own economic uncertainty coupled with my family’s uncertainties all contribute. Like almost everyone, I have a lot of questions and like almost everyone, I have a frustrating lack […]
Isolation, Solitude & Kindness
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It rained hard last night, only letting up well after dawn. My long anticipated golf game was washed out, so I decided on a long hike instead. Traipsing along on my return leg, I noticed a single set of distinctive prints in the moist earth. Taking a step back, I realized they were mine! I’m […]
Joy and Perfection
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You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:15-16 NLT I didn’t […]
Made My Day
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It was the first day of classes at the Christian school where I work and Piper and I were out for a walk before the sun was up. Amy and Sara were in Ames, getting ready for the first day of classes and checking out the sorority recruitment process. Maybe it was the heat and […]
On Critics and Naysayers
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What if we quit listening to the naysayers, the critics, the news, celebrities with more dollars than sense and whatever society tries to convince us is currently in vogue? What if we were the one with guts, the one in the arena who “failed?” It’s easier and safer to take cheap potshots, second guess after […]
On Electing Leaders – or Statesmen(persons)
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With the upcoming election dominating the news, I find myself intrigued, troubled and yet strangely at peace. Intrigued by the pure bizarreness of it all. Troubled by the divisiveness, negativity and polarity. At peace knowing (as a history buff) that things have been this ugly many times before – the 1800 and following elections were […]
She Walks Best at a Different Pace
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Not since spring have I left for a walk with Piper in long sleeves (me, not her), but this beautiful morning called for them with temperatures in the 50’s. Piper loves our walks and as she was deprived of yesterday’s because of Amy being in Colorado and Sara and I having packed schedules, she […]
