I’ll be celebrating my 63rd Christmas this month. I’m feeling that qualifies me as a Christmas expert. I approach this season with great hope and renewed expectations. I’ve never been the type to dread holidays. In fact, I seek to prolong them. As the kids (and now grandkids) dive under the tree to sort gifts,…
Read moreChristmas Clutter
Here are some of my favorite misconceptions about Christmas. Do you have some? Share them in the comments below! People wanting to return to the good old days of Christmas before consumerism / commercialism might not want to travel too far back in time. Celebrating Christmas was banned in Boston from 1659-1681. Celebrations of Christmas…
Read moreJust Believe
It’s a normal day. I look around and I find myself…living. In this body. On this planet. I’ve learned many facts about my existence here, first in my home then in a place called school. I know my planet orbits a sun. There are continents and oceans. Fish and fur. I am one of many…
Read moreIn English, please?
If you ask a physician to “take a look at my sore elbow,” she’ll probably write in your chart: “Examined the juncture where the humerus meets both the ulna and radius.” That’s a mouthful—and worst of all, your insurance won’t cover the whole visit, leaving you with a $675 bill for the privilege of learning…
Read moreThe Wheel of Life
I’ve had two flat tires recently, both on bicycles. The first happened at my son’s house, forcing me to push the bike nearly two miles home. The second occurred near my own home, but since I was six miles away, I called my wife, who kindly rescued me and the bike by car. These back-to-back…
Read moreWelcome to Your Glorified Body
I’m noticing more and more issues with my aging body. It used to take running full speed into a wall while playing racquetball for me to feel sore the following day. Now I can sleep wrong and be hunched over for days. This daily drama has me thinking about my promised “glorified body” and how…
Read moreCelebrating the Forth*
Today I seem to lack the usual spark I often feel on the 4th of July. Certainly, I still feel an historic gratitude for those who built our nation, but this year I also feel some weighty concern. I’m thankful to live in a country built on bold ideals like liberty and justice, but I…
Read moreHappy (spiritual) Father’s Day!
I’ve written over 40 books including cookbooks, sci-fi adventures, and theological treatise aimed to help people think godly thoughts. The origin of the book featured today was my son having his first baby, a little girl (of course she was little she was just born – see how much I know about parenting?) My son’s…
Read moreI (think I) finally understand the role of Free Will and Grace
As my faith has matured through prayer, study, and debate with fellow Christians and non-believers alike, I am often confronted by questions like: if salvation is by grace alone, do I actually play any role in believing? Is there a role for my “free will” for which I’ll be accountable on the day of judgement?…
Read moreAgain with the Free Will thing?
The following is my fourth installment on this topic. The first can be found here, the second here, and the third here. You can tell this is something I think about a lot. I often find engagement with others who are passionate about their understanding. Some people, of course, favor harmony over discord and hope…
Read moreLent – There’s a smudge on your head
Did you spot a co-worker or cashier this week with what looked like a smudge of dirt on their forehead? If you didn’t grow up in a Christian home, you might not recognize the symbolism. A friend of mine once saw a woman at work coming out of the copier room with a smudge on…
Read moreOpen! Says me?
Can I choose to open the gates of heaven and let myself in? Is it my free will to decide if I’m a follower of Jesus Christ? Let’s look at a classic conundrum of the church; the role of Free will and Predestination. It seems the mere mention of “free will” always gets my engines…
Read moreRetired. Now the Work Begins
I recently joined a Zoom session with some old friends from a lifetime ago—over forty years, to be exact. As we reminisced, I was transported back to the days when our world revolved around selling and servicing factory automation equipment. While some of us have since retired, others are still working and have no intention…
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