Speaking for myself, there is a fine line between facing the harsh reality of a difficult situation and how it could impact the individuals or groups involved and the need to walk in faith and obedience. One example might be the dilution of the Gospel that is unraveling and splitting some denominations. When "stark reality" strikes within "my world," it would be easy to let my imagination run away with me. Led by fear, ultimately I’d end up shipwrecked on the rocks of despair or find myself a victim stranded on a deadend road. On the other hand,

This morning a reading from Oswald Chambers caught my attention. "You are Simon . . . . You shall be called Cephas" ( John 1:42 ). God writes our new name only on those places in our lives where He has erased our pride, self-sufficiency, and self-interest. Some of us have our new name written only in certain spots, like spiritual measles. And in those areas of our lives we look all right. When we are in our best spiritual mood, you would think we were the highest quality saints. But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that mood. A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over him— self-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased. (Utmost for His Highest, June 12) Have you ever wondered about your “new name,” what it might be? For me, a new name indicates a new identity. The old has passed away and a new life has begun. But here is what really struck me in this passage:

When was the last time you rode a horse? Maybe you’ve never ridden one? I’ve only been on a horse twice in my life, the first time during a children’s camp. I was petrified. Later, as an adult, while spending the day at the beach, my friend suggested we go horseback riding. Considering my earlier experience, I’m not sure what possessed me to agree but I did. We rode out of the barn where the horses were stabled and crossed the road, heading to the sandy beach. So far, so good...

In my post last week, I referred to two questions by Anglican bishop and theologian, N. T. Wright: “What are we waiting for? And what are we going to do about it in the meantime?” (Surprised by Hope). Today I am waiting for my internet connection to be reinstalled. An electrical surge burned up our internet router three days ago. In the meantime, I am thinking about the fact that one day life as I know it in this finite body will end. In the meantime, there is work to do in the kingdom. And in the meantime…

Dear Friends, I have “another” confession. I use to hate goals and sometimes still do! In my mind, goals were like the law of the Old Testament – I could never measure up 100%. They reminded me of my proverbial lack of discipline, bringing condemnation and discouragement. Goals injured my pride. “What do you mean I have to set a goal? You think I am not responsible enough to do this on my own?” In short, goals gave me one big “Excedrin" headache. Could it be that I was setting goals for the wrong reasons?

Various skill and personality indicators have pegged me as a random learner; specifically, a visual abstract random learner. Thankfully, I also have some “planner/organizer” instincts or I would probably be bouncing off the walls. At one stage of my life, I dreamt about becoming an entrepreneur...

Why is it that some of my laziest days turn out to be the most productive? Usually, once I wake up in the morning, I’m out of bed, read a short devotional, take a shower, get dressed, make coffee while I eat some breakfast and I am off and running…well, maybe not running, but at least functioning at my normal speed. Other days, pulling myself out of bed is like pulling teeth, an excruciating experience. But if I stay in bed and go back to sleep past my usual wake-up time, I feel like an Oregon slug, groping my way through a mud lake of guilt the rest of the day.

Have you synchronized your watch with God’s clock today? Or does it feel His clock is running slow? I guess it depends on what time zone you are living in. Is your focus only on Pacific (Eastern, etc.) standard and daylight time or... where earth linear time intersects with spiritual time, where “all things are possible” and where you are conscious of the “the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4)? The book of Ecclesiastes has a lot to say about time, that there is a "time" for everything. For me, it is a time to search…

“Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! (Jesus Calling, January 16).” These words penetrated deep into my heart. When I rehearse something that is troubling me over and over again, the adversary cunningly interjects a script into my mind that sets itself up against the Author of the play.

I’ve never been to a rodeo. I’ve never seen a bull snorting in his pen (except on YouTube), nor smelled the dust from his clawing hoofs, but at a shopping mall not far from my apartment, there is a mechanical bull set up in the middle of a wide open space. Restaurants line the outer edges of the space so one can sip a cup of coffee or tea or munch on a burger and watch youngsters try their luck at staying on this jerking form. Most kids last about 30 seconds and down they go. Some of them get up and try again. Sometimes living in this unpredictable world feels like I’m riding a bull!

You’ve no doubt heard it said: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18. Numerous scriptures indicate that the biblical understanding of the word “vision” is a revealing of God's will. It seems to me that in our day, some (including myself) have reduced the word “vision” to mean “dream” and more specifically, “my dream.”

This has been a rough week, one of those times when “faith meets the rut in the road.” (Be careful what you say. You may find yourself in the middle of one of your own sentences!) The week presented a number of situations where my faith needed to wear hip boots because I was in danger of sinking in mud up to my knees! The mud of frustration, exasperation, pride, selfishness, anxiety, and fear all rolled up into one, ready for a mud-slinging fight or two.

It’s barely the second week of January and I’ve already broken my resolution to write one blog post a week! Well, what can I say? Life happens, year-end reports need to be written, and getting back in the groove after the extended holidays requires a shift in focus and determined concentration. Frankly, I’m not ready to...