The Unwinding and Reminding
This past weekend I backpacked with my friend Greg into the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. For the whole previous week, one thing after another seemed to block the trip, but at the very last minute, the doors opened for us to go. We jumped in the car and soon entered the world of […]
The Quest Is Calling You
We are born with two pressing questions: “Who am I?” and “What am I to do with my life?” Without premeditation or prompting, these questions erupt from the depths of the human soul. It’s as if we are dropped into the middle of a mystery movie and asked to figure out the answer, only the mystery […]
Where the Action Is
During my songwriting years, I thought the action happened in the recording sessions and on stage. During my time as a church planter, I thought the action happened in the constant growth and success of the church. During my stint as a running coach, I thought the action happened with excited athletes and winning teams. […]
Searching For Heroes
While attending a party over Christmas break, I started looking at some of the books laid out on the tables. One immediately caught my attention, simply titled The Greek Heroes. I opened to read, and for the next ten minutes, I was so absorbed in the pages that I forgot where I was. I knew I […]
The Wonder of Newness
The beginning of a new year feels somewhat like the first day of school, the start of a job, or the commencement of a sports season. Except for the new year fireworks, they are all uniformly filled with possibility, opportunity, and untrammeled dreams. Resolutions are made, plans are delineated, and goals are set. The fresh […]
Christmas Rejection
Ever been rejected? Outright, in-your-face rejection? It hurts. It scalds. It stings. When I was in college, I pledged a fraternity my sophomore year with high hopes of joining. I had two close friends who were members, and they really wanted me to be a part of it. But as the pledge process continued, the fraternity […]
The Goodness of Grief
“Sorrow is better than laughter because a sad face is good for the heart” (Ecc. 7:3). This verse is one that flies in the face of everything we tend to chase after. We are at first resistant to even considering sorrow as good, but if we will let truth be our guide, we can move […]
What Does God See in You?
During my first few years of high school teaching, I was unsure about so many things. There was one interaction, however, that jarred me out of my insecurity. The principal stopped me one day in the hallway and asked if I would consider being the assistant principal. I was dumbfounded. What could he possibly see […]
It’s All In The Eyes
During the beginning stages of Landmark Journey Ministries, I struggled at times with attacks of anxiety. There were many causes, but I’ll never forgot one of the surprising solutions. It was all in the eyes. During one of those anxious days, I went to have coffee with an older man who had been such an […]
Entering the Story of Jesus
In the last blog, I wrote about four things that typify the story of Jesus: unique, beautiful, heart-centered, and opposite to our fallen stories. It is surely important to know Jesus’ story in the Bible, but when He asks us to follow Him, He opens a door and asks us to enter that story. This […]