Anger comes in a number of forms.  We typically think of the garden-variety in-your-face anger–fuming, yelling, cussing, ranting.  It’s when “I” verbally (and perhaps even physically) destroy “you.” But there’s also its opposite–the so-called silent treatment, where I no longer acknowledge that you exist anymore.  It’s when I murder you in my heart, because, well, […]

Read More Why are we (all?) so angry?

Vincent van Gogh took his own life at age 37. Though an intensely evangelical Christian in his earlier years, in the final decade of his life van Gogh found life and meaning far more in nature than in nature’s God.  Writing to his sister Wil in this latter phase, he reflects with no little regret: “…I […]

Read More Van Gogh, dating, marriage, and community

This past October I took my 10-year-old daughters to the state fair. I had mixed feelings about it. One the one hand, it would be great to see the various exhibits, to pet the farm animals, try out various foods, etc.  On the other hand, all the rides, games, shows, noise, etc.–that’s just isn’t really me […]

Read More How to “see through” the world

See if you can fill in the blank in the following statements–statements made by people whom I’ve talked to over the past 10-15 years: “I never thought I could be such a jerk until I got ______.” “I feel like getting ______ has made me into a terrible person.” “It’s like he’s changed–he never acted […]

Read More Storing up good in our hearts

So I almost fell off the treadmill at my gym.  Again. This time I blame General Hospital.  Well, honestly, I don’t know what soap opera it was. But as I was running on the treadmill, I looked up, and on one of the flat screens above me a soap opera was playing.  The actors were engaged […]

Read More How to guard your heart

I was probably 13 or 14 the year I didn’t get what I absolutely needed for Christmas. The big day came and went without me getting what I, being on the “starting five” of my junior high school’s basketball team, had to have.  It was the Christmas gift for which I had campaigned for at least […]

Read More King Solomon’s advice for the New Year

“I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Savior did come for to die…” In the English language the verb “to wonder” can have either a positive or negative connotation, evident from its second and third definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary: – the 2nd definition:  “feel doubt” – the 3rd definition:   […]

Read More An Advent meditation: How can I be sure about all this?

“Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease.” When grappling with the unspeakable injustices that stain our world, my default is to vacillate between a naïve and idealistic triumphalism (“We can do this!”) and a self-righteous and narcissistic cynicism (“Why even bother?”).  Further, I have an […]

Read More An Advent Meditation: Can there be justice if it’s just us?

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Just before Christmas three years ago Sarah and I had the pleasure of being with our families over the holidays for the first time in–I honestly don’t remember–a decade or so?  We were so excited to enjoy a snowy Christmas […]

Read More An Advent meditation: our bodies, our worth and our unworthiness

Several months ago I came across the most amazing poem by Brigit Pageen Kelly.  I have returned to it again and again.  Though not written for Thanksgiving, it is altogether fitting as we wrestle to heed Paul’s astonishing exhortation  to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (And, lest […]

Read More A poem for Thanksgiving (for us who struggle to be thankful)