Help or Hindrance?
In his fascinating book The Glass Cage (NY: Norton, 2014), Nicholas Carr explores how automation and computer assistance across a variety of endeavors can leave users “de-skilled.” The idea? The more our tools do for us, the less attentive, the less thoughtful, the...
He Didn’t Try to Say Something
Sadly, I have caught myself doing it. When opening up the Bible and discussing a passage with someone I can find myself saying something like: What Jesus was trying to say . . .What God tried to communicate . . .What the Spirit was attempting to convey . . . And I...
Casting Your Vote
You can’t escape it. Political ads on the radio and television. Broadcast debates and newspaper editorials. Discussions at work and home and disagreements between friends. America is in the midst of the election cycle. Even in church we can't escape the subtle...
Consider Turning a Page
It’s convenient. You see it everywhere. People aren’t reading print books; they are reading electronic books—looking at words on screens, whether on a cell phone, a tablet, or an e-reader. Should that raise a question for a Christian—for the person who believes...
Why does He command that?
Augustine, in The Confessions, addresses a profound and simply prayer to God: "O God, command what you will, and give what you command." I think what he captures in that short cry is becoming increasingly more important to my understanding of how God intends to...
A Seemingly Indirect Way to Go
Have you ever wondered what God is doing in your life? Most people do. If you have some sense that you are in relationship with God through what Jesus has done for you, you will likely have those moments when you say to yourself: I thought God was up to something...
But we don’t get to see Him!
Reflections on Easter Throughout Easter Sunday, Christians hear the proclamation: Jesus is risen! The message—whether online or in other ways—share a fundamental common theme: Jesus is alive! Without a doubt, that is the right and proper declaration on Easter. But...
Thinking about social distancing, coronavirus, and the Gospel
Here are the givens. The coronavirus is spreading; many will become infected and some will die. That is a sad reality. The magnitude of the spread and the fatality rate is still being debated, even among those who know the most. But it is certain that the disease...
It’s Not Veiled Advice
If you've ever heard someone talk about "the Lord's prayer" (Luke 11:1–3), you've likely heard them explain about how that model prayer begins: "Father, hallowed by Your name." Attention is given to addressing God as "Father." That, indeed, is rather unique. There...
Maybe We Shouldn’t Repeat the Words
Jesus explained that everyone, when fully trained, will be like his or her teacher (Luke 6:40). Among other things what this might mean is that no one does the Christian life originally. We all do what we do because we've learned from someone, we've followed a...
