Prayer and the Unexpected

As I’ve said earlier, I’m teaching a series on prayer these days.  From within the pile of material and preparation filling my time has come a realization–when we enter conversation with God, odds are good it’s not going to play out how we envisioned.  I know, that could be discomforting because most of the time, [...]

Read Full Post »

A Good Kind of Whooping

Here’s a twist on the image we often use of wrestling with God.  Credit Simone Weil…
“Isn’t it the greatest possible disaster, when you are wrestling with God, not to be beaten?”
That’s worth a thought.
If you “win” in your struggle with God, what does that mean?
Your way is better?
He’s really a weaker God than the dust-man [...]

Read Full Post »

Prayer is like Sex

I’m doing a series at church on prayer right now.
This illustration is actually begging to be used… but it just doesn’t fit any of my remaining lessons.  So to the blog-cave…
“I think prayer is analogous to sex.  (People’s ears always perk up when I say that.)  Most people would complain about their sex lives; a [...]

Read Full Post »

Transformed by the Grasp

There’s little that is sweeter than having a baby fall asleep in your arms.  It’s simply a feeling that lights you up in hard-to-describe ways.  It’s something about their peace and coziness lying there.  You feel their warmth and softness, and you’re sure you could put off whatever else you thought you needed to do.  [...]

Read Full Post »

Gran Torino

I got sick last week.  Let’s call it the flu, and judging from the way it hit me, it definitely had a number of some sort behind its name.  That was the bad part.
The good part was that my sick time led to my viewing of this fantastic movie.  Seriously, it has immediately placed itself [...]

Read Full Post »

Adversity

“Adversity introduces us to ourselves.”
I found that this week.
I like it and don’t like it at the same time.
I like it because I’m sure it’s true.
I don’t like it because I’m sure it’s true.
Whenever it is that you meet yourself… I hope you like who you meet.

Read Full Post »

Riderville

I was out a few times today on this warm Saturday and noticed a couple things that made me smile.
An old truck was on the Ring Road.  It had wooden walls on the sides of its box to hold a whole heap of garbage bags.  The homemade walls were painted up green and white with [...]

Read Full Post »

Adrian Plass on Temptation

My friend Adrian brings this great story to the web.  We’re not actually friends, but I saw him on stage once, so that counts for something.
Enjoy my friend Adrian…

Read Full Post »

Al Jawala

A week ago, I was exploring some of Istanbul, behind the hotel we were staying in.  A band was setting up for a street performance: Two guys drumming, a bass player, and two saxophones.  They proceeded to put out some of the most energetic music I’d heard in a long time–very [...]

Read Full Post »

If You Need Anything

A spiritual seeker interrupted a busy life to spend a few days in a monastery.
“I hope your stay is a blessed one,” said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell.  “If you need anything, let us know and we’ll teach you how to live without it.”

Read Full Post »