Two Faces of Fear

We know fear from infancy. Our earliest fear may be fear of abandonment. Later we may fear failure or disappointing someone we love. We sometimes fear for our safety or the safety of others. We fear for our health. We fear for our financial well-being. We fear for our futures. 

Fear is real, and fear is natural. And we have a natural (more…)

Last Words

Over the past four years, I have lost many loved ones. Those losses—along with a recent 40-year high school reunion that reminds me of my advancing age—often lead me to think about the reality of death. Lord willing, I have another 30 years or so on this earth. But that means most of my life is behind me. That is sobering, (more…)

Red-Dress Christians

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

I was a senior in college when I learned an important lesson about confidence. It was a lesson I learned not in a classroom but at a bus stop.

Most of my clothes (more…)

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Consider the Ant

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! – Proverbs 6:6

It started about two months ago during the drought: an unrelenting parade of tiny ants in our master bathroom. They first were there for water, so when rainy season started, I expected them to find their way back outside, where they could eat and drink to their (more…)

Dedicating and Dedicated

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. – 1 Samuel 1:27-28  

Infertility plagued Hannah, who endured ongoing taunts about her childless state. So when God gave her Samuel, she fulfilled her promise and dedicated him (more…)