Living alive

“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy” (Psalm 92:4). You know what it’s like. You stand before an incredible work of art, hear the most breathtaking music, see the perfect pair of pants on the rack, hear the roar of a race car’s engine. And… Read More ›

Escape vs. Hope

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). Most people believe that Christians want escape. And a lot of Christians have given them good reason to think that. I’ve heard people on numerous occasions throughout my life talk about the fact that this world was “just going to burn anyway,” excusing their… Read More ›

Your days are numbered

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). This psalm is an ancient reality check. The preface says it is “A prayer of Moses, the man of God.” Moses was apparently a very serious guy. God was before the tallest mountains, predates the greatest, most ancient… Read More ›

Real vs. Feel

“The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them” (Psalm 89:11). In the midst of turmoil and trial, the psalmist reminds himself of what he can count on. Confronted with ever-shifting circumstance, he looks to that which will not, cannot change. He looks… Read More ›

Some business and some feedback

This is been a great almost-year of blogging through different sections of Scripture. As I was away this past week at Soma School, I came to the realization that I have a few too many plates spinning at the moment. I feel the need to scale back some of what I’m doing for the sake… Read More ›

Psalms and Misery

“You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness” (Psalm 88:18). One of my favorite statements of the Christian faith is the Heidelberg Catechism. It was written during the Reformation as a way to help people learn the important teachings of Christianity. I’ve always found the answer to… Read More ›

A week off, for the crazy

I will be taking the next week off of the blog. I’ll be in Tacoma, WA, with the folks at Soma Communities. I’m looking forward to the time, though pray for my family, as I’ll be gone for a full 7 days. I look forward to picking things up again when I get back in… Read More ›

All of me

(This is a guest post on 2 Corinthians 12 from Bethany Thompson!) I read this chapter over and over, trying to think of some clever punch line, a real-life analogy or witty illustration to fully bring home the point of the penultimate chapter in II Corinthians. But apparently all my cleverness was temporarily out of… Read More ›

Celebrity and super-apostles

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor. 11:30). Paul is here arguing against the “super-apostles” (11:5). They are apparently gifted speakers, have claims of authority, and are even leading some of the Corinthian Christians to follow them (instead of Jesus) (11:3-4). In order to argue against… Read More ›