I have struggled for over 40 years to know God. I remember crying out, “I just want to know You! Help me!” What I was taught in church, books, and school was to think my way into a deeper relationship with God. Accept this theory. Know these doctrines. Understand these concepts. Think and grow. I did all that and was … Read More
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King’s horses and all the King’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again. [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] I imagine that when Humpty Dumpty fell, not only did his shell crack beyond repair but his insides got scrambled (sorry!) as well. There was no piecing together a broken yoke and … Read More
Experiencing God is a mystery. Yes, there are minuscule aspects of God that we can understand – those aspects that God manifests to us. Yet, God is far beyond our understanding. As Thomas Hopko said: “God cannot be known. But, you have to know Him to know that.” [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] An Invitation to a Mystery Over the next few posts, … Read More
The Way of Jesus: Bearing a Little Shame Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death? –St Paul [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] I just experienced a recent job change and move to a new state—another wearying “new beginning.” It caused me to reflect deeply on my life over the period of many months. Usually I remember … Read More
Less is more when it comes to living an authentic Christian life. I didn’t always believe this. As a person eager to know God better, I grabbed onto anything I thought would help me – journaling, prayer, meditation, contemplation, study, solitude, Lectio Divina, retreats, and more. I read Foster, Willard, Whitney, Nouwen, Rohr, Peterson and lots of others (all very … Read More
I met Eric on a street in Alhambra, California. He pushed his shopping cart past the window where I was sitting at Starbucks. He rummaged through a trash can finding a few treasures and placing them in his cart. I felt an urge to go out and talk to him but hesitated. He was gone. Then I felt guilty. “Lord, … Read More
In my zealousness to know God, I grabbed almost anything I could to help me. I tried multiple “spiritual disciplines.” I read dozens of books. I attended many conferences and seminars. I was a spiritual discipline junkie! How could that be bad? Right? Well, I got really frustrated with all the experimentation and “pick-and-choose-whatever-I-want-approach.” That is, until I realized that … Read More
I am a proud person. Pride shows itself in my life most often when I don’t get my way. When someone contradicts me, won’t do what I ask, or says “no” to me, my ugly ego rises and rebels. It doesn’t like to be dismissed. Can you relate? [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] Do you recognize how self-preoccupied you are? Have you developed … Read More
There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amateur should content himself with the modern books. Thus I have found as a tutor in English Literature that if the average student wants to find out something about Platonism, the very last thing he thinks of … Read More
The night before my daughter left for college, a drunk driver rammed his truck into the wall of my church office destroying furniture, books, and other treasures. After Jenna and Rhonda drove away the next morning, I went to my bedroom and bawled like a baby. I had never been so low. So much of what I loved was gone. … Read More
