I really have a way with plants—a knack for turning them brown. So this note isn’t full of tips about tulips, or pointers for primping your petunias. But it is about gardens. As I spend time mulling over the biblical texts of Easter, I’m struck by the contrast between two garden trials. The first, through […]
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Isaac’s Apple
Have you ever come across this puzzle? It’s known as Isaac’s Apple. The aim is to break the apple into all its pieces and reassemble again. The final piece is the central ‘core’. Once it’s inserted into the middle, it locks all the other pieces into position; completing the apple. If you like puzzles, this […]
Read MoreTruth with Tenderness
There’s a song by Paul Simon with a line that is worth noting. Now I don’t consider “Rhymin’ Simon” to be one of the great theologians of our time, but in this instance at least he stumbled into a trustworthy saying: you don’t have to lie to me, just give me some tenderness beneath your […]
Read MorePrayer – Letting Your Compass Rest
Did you know that a compass needle is just a little magnet that aligns itself with the much larger magnetic field of the earth? What’s more, you can confuse and distract a compass needle by bringing another magnet near. The distracting pull of something like a fridge magnet drags the compass needle off its true […]
Read MoreTips for Teaching Kids Truth
1. Tap into Transparency. Modeling Christian truth for your kids doesn’t just mean going to church, reading your Bible, and letting them see all your spiritual bright spots. Allow them to see the dimmer points in your past and present. Without disturbing them with unnecessary detail, be honest about the struggles you’ve endured. Relate to […]
Read MoreFinding a Middle Way through the Midway
With excitement in her eyes, Sarah kissed her parents goodbye. John and Judy’s decision to let their sixteen-year-old daughter attend the girls’ summer art camp wasn’t difficult. They had heard great things about the program and believed it was an excellent opportunity. Then John and Judy learned the famous art camp was a magnet for […]
Read MoreA Pinch of Salt
I am told that there is a common expression in the Middle-East: “there is salt between us.” It has to do with lasting loyalty in a relationship. It’s a saying that probably derives from the idea that salt has been shared at meals in which negotiations have been held and settlements reached. The symbolism of […]
Read MoreHow Do We Know That Jesus Is God?
Question: I recently read the book, The Da Vinci Code. I know that it is fiction, but it has caused me to question everything that I’ve always believed about Jesus. How do we know that Jesus is God in the flesh and not simply a good teacher? Answer: For two thousand years, critics have chipped […]
Read MoreUnearthing Our Walk with Christ
On more than one occasion recently I’ve found myself pondering the words of Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That statement rings true because things tend to get complicated over time. We begin our Christian life with utter delight and simplicity. But as tradition, religion, others’ expectations, and too many activities begin to […]
Read MoreHow Can I Discover God’s Will?
“I’m totally confused. How in the world do I find the will of God for my life?” I cannot number how many times through the years I have heard that question. I could probably list at least ten ways that God leads His children today, but I will limit myself to the four that I […]
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