Blog

Over the past few weeks I have pondered the impact of the recent sexual harassment claims. We knew these things were happening, but were shocked at some of the prominent names included on the growing list. How to address such a broad spectrum of issues with brevity? I see the abused and the abusers as … Continue reading Sex is Satan’s Ace

How often do we take Psalm 20:4 out of context to validate our expectation for a particular outcome to be sanctioned by God? After all, the verse says, “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”  Sounds great. However, This verse is tucked away in the middle of … Continue reading YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Dan and I have not been this sick in years. A respiratory virus has had us down for several weeks. Asking for help during these debilitating times has felt humiliating. We are generally too proud to ask, “Would you take our garbage can to the street?” or “Can you bring us some Gatorade?” Yet the … Continue reading Coincidence or Opportunity

“Careful. Don’t touch that. It can burn you.” “Careful. You might fall off that chair.” “Be careful! Don’t go near the street.” We want our children to experience life, just not the things that might cause them pain. But are we ultimately instilling our own fear into their vulnerable hearts and minds? Are we teaching … Continue reading CAREFUL

I scurried down the mile-long concourses in the Frankfurt airport, searching frantically for our check-in counter. Dan and Andreas tried to keep up, dragging overweight baggage up and down escalators. I was beginning to feel frantic; it was not a pretty closing to a wonderful trip. Our ten days had passed too quickly. We had … Continue reading Where is it?

Francis Schaeffer often spoke about the church and the watching world. He addressed these questions: How can we simultaneously practice purity in the visible church in regard to doctrine and life while also expressing love and oneness among all true Christians?  Tough questions about real life issues. In Psalm 71, David talks about his relationship … Continue reading What is Our Portent?

My life seems to have accelerated to top speed. Last week it was Hurricane Harvey with days of wind and rain. This week it is helping our daughter move, then a book signing, leading a women’s conference, and finally a 10-day trip to Germany. All good and exciting opportunities for ministry, but I get spiritually … Continue reading Furious Longing

In The Sacred Romance, John Eldredge refers to God as our “wild lover.” Henri Nouwen says we are the Lord’s “beloved.”  Dallas Willard emphasizes, in The Divine Conspiracy, that Jesus is with us, our brother. Baxter Kruger describes the love of the Father as so remarkable that it is “unutterable.” Why do we find these … Continue reading The Father’s Heart

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a client say, “God allowed me to experience that painful trauma so that I could learn ___________.” The implication is that God used evil to teach them a lesson—to be strong, to be self-reliant, to be humble. I see this as an adulteration of God’s … Continue reading “So That” vs “Even So”

I was re-reading and the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers when I came across this phrase, “Forgiveness is a decision; trust takes time.” How true. We can choose to forgive someone who has hurt us, but it takes time to rebuild trust—especially in intimate relationships. Husbands and wives, children and parents, long-time friends. Forgiveness is … Continue reading RELATIONSHIPS