In the fall of next year, I will have a new book coming out on the Psalms. It will cover the first 41 Psalms in the Psalter. This is an excerpt. When it is ready, it will be one of the most unique books on the Psalms ever compiled (I hope). Part reflection, part poetry, … More Coming in the Spring of 2027
Soren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart “One dare not say of repentance and remorse that it has its time; that there is a time to be carefree and a time to be prostrated in repentance. Such talk would be: to the anxious urgency of repentance—unpardonably slow; to the grieving of God—sacrilege; to what should be done … More On the Wisdom and Urgency of Repentance
Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach at my home church. The pastor was away for a family wedding and asked me to kick off a new series on the parables of Christ in the Gospel of Luke 8:1-15. It was a privilege, and it was a good study for me as well. I … More Continuing to Examine My Soul
Excerpt from pages 50-51, in my new book on Praying the Scripture: Building a Life Shaped by the Psalms. One year I was wrestling with anger. Not explosive anger — the quiet kind. The kind that simmers. The kind that hides in the crevices of disappointment and frustration. The kind that feels justified because you’ve … More An Excerpt from My Newest Book
The Scripture is a two-edged sword. It cuts both ways. It cuts the reader. It cuts the listener. It cuts the preacher It cuts the preacher as well as the congregant. It cuts the avid student and the casual listener. It cuts the maturing saint and the beginning disciple. Jesus loved to teach His two-edge … More Diagnosing My Heart
The message was over. The final song gave room for reflection on both the message and its own lyrics. Tears of joy began to flow along with prayers of longing for those who do not know the Savior of whom we sang. Pastor prayed. I wiped my tears, turned away from others, and reached to … More Might Have Seen an Angel Today
Overheard wisdom “When it comes to giving until it hurts, most people have a very low threshold of pain.” —Anonymous Ain’t it the truth?
Today I received a wonderful quote from a book I have read twice, but maybe need to read again. It was meant to encourage, and indeed it did. But it did more than that. It led me to reflect again on the greatness of my treasures in the richness of my friends. “In friendship, we … More The Supernatural Value of Friends
“Honor your Father and Mother.” Exodus 20 “Honor Your Father and Mother” Every one of them.I would buy every one.The three, no, the four,The four homes you / we lived in,I would buy them alland turn them into museumsof the memories you gave us,and the stories our God gifted us with,through the forge of lovefrom … More Today I Was Thinking of My Mom and Dad
