A thousand voices vie for my attention. Images and ideas explode like fireworks. It’s a war zone, where everything is noise and confusion. And that’s only in my head. I haven’t even finished breakfast yet. A platoon of to-dos stand by, marching in place to the music of the screeching steamer on my espresso machine, […]
The Habit of Listening Read More »
Ever since Adam and Eve made forbidden knowledge their afternoon snack, theologians and philosophers have grappled with the problem of evil, trying to square the existence of a self-perpetuating universal curse with a sovereign and loving God. Far be it from me — one who is neither theologian nor philosopher — to attempt to explain
Why God Made a Breakable World Read More »
Early Wednesday afternoon I found a folded slip of paper on the dining room table with one word printed neatly in a most familiar hand. I opened it and read these words: I request the honor of a marriage summit sometime soon. Much love, George. A what? Was that some sort of couples’ retreat? I
Sometimes when I read beautiful writing, or see a fabulous photograph, or find myself face to face with exquisite artwork of any type, instead of receiving with gratitude the gift God through the artist would give me, I envy. Or I despair. On one extreme I think, “I could have done that,” and on the
Useless to Compete Read More »
At 8:00 AM this morning I left my small East Texas town to drive to another small East Texas town, because I’d been asked to speak to a MOPS group there. When I started my car I powered off the CD player. The trip would take a little over an hour, and I wanted to
Give us this day ourman does not live bydaily breadalone, but by faith,hope,love,conviction of sin,wisdom,discernment,the weapons of ourcompassion,discipline,and inspiration,every wordthat proceedsfrom the mouth of the Lord. Lord, ever moregive us this dayHis blood,the wine,His body,our dailybread. Amen.
Manna for Breakfast Read More »
I’ve mentioned Madie Skinner several times on this blog, sharing the remarkable story of how our families are inextricably entwined and asking you to pray. Sunday afternoon I met some of the members of that family for the first time as mobs converged on the Marshall square for the Miles 4 Madie event. The tall man in the center
“I drew comfort from knowing hundreds of other Christians were praying. From the first day, we received amazing support. Cards and letters poured in, and the pile just kept getting bigger. Many arrived from friends and relatives. Others came from people we’d never met, people who had read the paper or seen the news, people
Glimpses of His ways Read More »
If you followed my Seattle series, you saw quite a few photos of the city, Dot Island, Sucia, San Juan, and the various Sparrows. For those of you who would like to see even more, here are links to my facebook albums: Seattle, Days 1-6 Dot Island, Sucia, and San Juan Bellingham and Capitol Hill
Things captured and things kept Read More »
I’m not sure why I’m going to share this with you. Maybe you can tell me. I wrote this poem two summers ago while driving west to east across my home state. It was early morning, and a rainstorm painted the distant horizon. My only passenger, weary with the weight of nine months in Africa,
Because sometimes poetry rises Read More »