Approaching the Mountain

How often have we begged God to remove a mountain from our paths for fear of the climb? We sing songs about this. We hear inspirational sermons encouraging us that if only we have enough faith, we need not bother to scale the cliffs ahead. Consequently, how often have we chastised ourselves for not being … Continue reading

New Wineskin

“No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” Mark 2:22 The thing about moving on is that the process is quite unsettling. Literally. There is so much uncertainty associated with letting go of … Continue reading

Palm Sunday: The Greatest Tease

Palm Sunday, the day of rejoicing because our Savior has come riding on a donkey whose steps are not permitted to land on the bare ground but on the cloaks of men and women who find themselves finally able to breathe great sighs of relief. Hope has come. Hope is real. Hope will prevail. We are certain … Continue reading

Making Space

Build the more stately mansions, O my soul! As the swift seasons roll; Leave thy low-vaulted past: Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life’s un- Resting sea. –Oliver Wendell Holmes in “The Chambered … Continue reading

To Know One Another

On what basis can one determine the quality of a relationship with another person? (and I’m not just talking about romantic relationships) At what point can it be decided that one truly knows others for who they really are? I find myself often fooled into believing that one relationship or another is deeper than it … Continue reading

Cry for Absalom

Recently I found myself in a room full of Christians with political conversations abounding. Soon enough, opinions about political adversaries and the “War on Terrorism” became the focal point, which led to rejoicing over the demise of various individuals who have wreaked havoc in the world. Naturally, this led to prayerful hopes that other adversaries … Continue reading

A Trust that Trumps Fear

When it comes to hearing the voice of the Lord, especially when seeking direction, I must confess that it does not always come easily to me. As a child and even into my first year at ORU, I felt like identifying His guidance was fairly simple. I was accustomed to hearing Him in specific ways; … Continue reading

Anchor

Sometimes God thinks He is funny. Here is a post that I wrote at the tender age of 18 during my freshman year at ORU. Who knew how applicable it would become just a few years later as I depart from my undergraduate experience and face unknown adventures ahead… ——————————————– Anchor. Writen on January 21, 2009. … Continue reading

Turtle on a Fencepost

After not only experiencing the tragedy of losing four young men from the ORU community in the recent plane crash but also receiving such a gracious gift in Hannah’s survival, I cannot help but examine all of the blessings, challenges, lessons learned, and pending dreams that have defined my life thus far. With the completion … Continue reading

Engraving Grace

There are some stories in scripture that hit me harder than others. Some stories I am very intentional about engraving in my heart and mind, determined to learn from the lessons that can be found therein. And then there are other stories that I just cannot seem to shake, try as I may.  The story … Continue reading