Punched by an Angel
Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Genesis 32:25 As many of you well know, it was nearly seven years ago (although it now seems so much longer) that I entered a season of anguish …
A Sure Foundation for When the World Falls Apart
For 620 years, since the days of Hannibal and his battle elephants, Rome had not faced an invading army. But in AD 410, Alaric, a Visigoth from northern Europe with a barbarian army, besieged the city. A delegation from Rome …
Shine That Enables Us to See
When I think of the dramatic shine of the Transfiguration, it seems hard to believe that it can illuminate my daily life. But I desperately need the shine this morning. So I pull back the opaque curtains in my bedroom …
Jesse and the Man at Walmart: A Parable About the Great Commission
A few years ago, I wrote a parody (of sorts) of John 4 (Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well) called “Jesse and the Man at Walmart,” in which I attempt to help readers reimagine the story in today’s …
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The Relative Merits of Thinking Slow
About a year after the world went inside in spring 2020, I found myself suddenly, finally, in the same room with a quorum of my coworkers at NavPress. We could only see each other’s eyes, as the mask mandate was …
How to Practice the Presence of God
I sit in the waiting room, hand on my heart, saying in my mind, Lord Jesus, you live within me. Come, Holy Spirit and calm me. Give me your peace. Thank you, Jesus, that you’re with me. I shift in …
How to Cry Out to God: the 4 Steps of Lament
When I was nineteen, one of my closest friends was killed in a car crash. Six months later another friend died from a brain aneurysm while hiking in Nepal. Seven months later my beloved grandfather died. I went from being …
The Gospel for Real People
In 2016 Jerry Bridges, author of numerous bestselling books, died a few months before the release of his final book, The Blessing of Humility. Now and then over the next several weeks we’ll be posting tributes to Jerry and his …
How Jesus Sees My Buddhist Manicurist and My Lesbian Friend
I have the best manicurist in the city. Her name is Annie, and I send all my friends to her for their manicures and pedicures. I told my friend Sharla about her, and she became a regular customer. I also …
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Planting Seeds for Kingdom Growth
I like listening to people who know what they are talking about. It becomes impressive, though, when they know who they are talking to. Jesus shared a parable about how his disciples should think about sharing their knowledge of the …