Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. — Isaiah 9:2 In Scotland, beauty comes in sudden, unexpected ways, such as when you glance out the tour bus and see this panorama. Two layers of gray/blue-gray clouds separated magnificently by rays of persistent sunlight breaking through and …
My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? — James 2:14 The room in this picture is from Dunnottar castle, a ruined medieval fortress on the northeastern shoreline of Scotland. It played a part in the miscellaneous struggles going on between England and …
Just as a rainbow lights up a cloud on a rainy day, so its brightness shone all around. This was how the form of the Lord’s glory appeared. When I saw it, I fell on my face. I heard the sound of someone speaking. — Ezekiel 1:28 One of the things I discovered about Scotland is that it’s …
I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. — Philippians 4:12 In the picture above, Barb and I are about to fly the Atlantic, 8+ hours, and …
Since retiring a few years ago, I’ve been adrift from congregational life. I’ve followed the mandate that you separate yourself from the last congregation to which you’ve been appointed. That gives the new pastor the opportunity to form relationships that are important for pastoral duties. In this outside-church period, I’ve discovered how difficult it is …
God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. — Genesis 1:31 One evening my wife opened a box and found a long-ago picture of our kids. Our son was around 7 and our daughter, 2. Their smiles are boundless in that photo. They’re beaming, …
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. — 1 John 4:18 While half the country rejoiced when Donald Trump was reelected, the other half felt the opposite. I was in the latter group, and the predominant emotion for me was fear. Based on what I heard our president-elect say on the campaign trail, questions easily kept …
Since we belong to the day, let’s stay sober, wearing faithfulness and love as a piece of armor that protects our body and the hope of salvation as a helmet. — 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Tomorrow promises to be one of the most contentious, nerve-wracking elections ever. It’s helpful to put things in perspective from a …
The night is almost over, and the day is near. So let’s get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light. — Romans 13:12 Did you know that Missouri is the cave state? We have over 7000 of them. If you ever want to experience total darkness, …
Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. — Ephesians 6:13 Once upon a time, church folk sang, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war.” It’s not sung as much today, maybe not at …