Right vs. Easy
A wise character once said, “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” The Old Testament reveals to today’s families the truth of God’s character as a loving father and a faithful provider. From…
You’ve Read the Bible…So What?
Whether it is a book for class, a conversation with a friend, or instructions on how to survive a water landing in an airplane, we all know the phenomenon of reading or hearing something and not being able to recall…
Part 4: Ten Reasons Nature is Good for Your Soul
What follows is Part 4 of a four-part blog on why “nature” is a spiritual discipline. Whether you love nature, have always been passive to it, afraid of it, or you just consider yourself a bit indoorsy, I am convinced…
Part 3: Ten Reasons Nature is Good for Your Soul
What follows is Part 3 of a four-part blog on why “nature” is a spiritual discipline. Whether you love nature, have always been passive to it, afraid of it, or you just consider yourself a bit indoorsy, I am convinced…
Part 2: Ten Reasons Nature is Good for Your Soul
What follows is Part 2 of a four-part blog on why “nature” is a spiritual discipline. Whether you love nature, have always been passive to it, afraid of it, or you just consider yourself a bit indoorsy, I am convinced…
Engaging Lent Through Art
For centuries, the church has observed a season called Lent. Lent is a period of reflection and imitation. It’s a season of spiritual preparation in which Jesus’ followers embrace intentional self-denial, just as Jesus embraced His cross. This year, Christ…
Ten Reasons Nature is Good for Your Soul
This blog is Part 1 in a four-part series. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” John Muir, 1912 God made this…
Marvelous in Our Eyes
When Liz and I arrived in Kansas City to begin Christ Community, we had never served in a pastoral role before, and we had few resources. We felt God had called us to a bold-faith mission, but transparently, there were…
In the Beginning, God…
The book of Genesis is perhaps one of the most controversial and contentious books of the Bible. Not only between theists and atheists, but also among people of faith who believe in the divine inspiration of the first book of…
Can You Celebrate Easter Without Lent?
Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday (March 6 this year), culminating with our celebration of the Greatest Day, the day death died and hope triumphed, our Resurrection Sunday (April 21). I didn’t grow…