He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like... Continue Reading →
Rage Against the Lord
The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the LORD. Proverbs 19:3 We might think of foolishness, or folly, as something typical of untaught children, or older youth who are still without wisdom informing experiences, or maybe even adults slow on the uptake. But in Proverbs, folly isn’t... Continue Reading →
Slipping Into Life
June 6, 2013Cambria, CASitting on the boardwalk at the edge of the world on California’s coast and the waves roll in and roll out again. Squadrons of pelicans, all head and wings, glide up the coast, slow flapping and so close to the water I expect to see the water ripple under their wing tips-... Continue Reading →
What Will We Do in the End?
We were sitting in church after a Sunday morning service, lazily engaging in conversation, when we noticed a young boy, Drew (not his real name) up on the stage. There’d been a skit during the service about Paul and Silas’ time in the Philippian jail complete with working, theatrical stocks. Drew was having a great... Continue Reading →
Same-Sex “Marriage”—Why Does It Matter?
It looks like either through Supreme Court fiat or through state legislatures and/or propositions, “same-sex marriage” will likely be the law of the land soon. Christians and moral conservatives have spent immense time, energy, and money trying to keep this from happening, apparently to no effect. There are deep divides in culture over this issue... Continue Reading →
Venus through my window…
"Venus through my window…" That phrase runs through my mind as the eastern sky gains pale blue status and Venus shines star-bright through the waving pine boughs I see out my library window. A crescent, waning moon like a gilded treasure hangs center on the invisible ecliptic. These heavenly lights give an inner joy that... Continue Reading →
An Open Letter to Howard Schultz
March 25, 2013 Dear Mr. Schultz: We love Starbucks and have been fans and patrons for decades. We’ve collected Starbucks coffee cups from Hawaii to the British Isles. I spend most Friday mornings in our local store enjoying lattes, Americanos, or, last Friday, a delicious peppermint mocha, usually bringing home beans for the week (this... Continue Reading →
Fighting Words and the Bane of “civil discourse”
I was reading an article at the Christianity Today web site recently on self identified “gay” students in, and alumni of, Christian colleges; the article includes elements that have become fairly typical of what’s called “civil discourse” between orthodoxy and theological heresy. I was wondering what the apostles and the early Church would make of... Continue Reading →
Inside Out- On the Insider Movement
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 ESV So the Lord spoke to... Continue Reading →
Applied Heart 