Losing Grace
I was running errands Monday when I got a tearful call from my 15-year-old daughter. One of her closest friends, Megan, had suffered a terrible tragedy--her mother had suffered a heart attack and died that [...]
Holy Listening
I got a call last week from my dear friend Beth, who happened to be in town. She asked if we could have lunch. I eagerly agreed. Beth's parents are my age, and good friends of [...]
What are you waiting for?
What does it mean to “wait”? The Bible says “wait on the Lord.” Right now, I am listening to the wind hum through the window sashes, making a sound like a pitch pipe. I am waiting [...]
Parenting teens
In the last few years, I've noticed something odd. When I would tell people that my daughter was 13 (or 14), they'd furrow their brow, and say "oohh," with a mixture of cynicism and sympathy [...]
Soul gardening
This week is spring break—and while some of our friends are traveling to warmer climes, we’re at home, running errands in the rain. As much as I wish I were someplace warm, I love [...]
Evangelical atheism?
My friend and fellow writer Karen Mains' latest newsletter is up, and it's another good one. She's reviewing Gary Haugen's latest book, Just Courage, and looking at how our outward professions of faith don't always [...]
In the news
My publicist sent me a link this morning to an opinion column in the Chattanooga Free Press. A columnist had mentioned my book Rest. Pretty fun. You can read it by clicking here. I'd love [...]
Sufficient grace
Today, I have been married eighteen years. In a row. To the same person. This is no small accomplishment, given our culture’s view of marriage as a disposable commodity. And given that I am married [...]
Reading the Bible in Community
On Wednesday I will be teaching a class on "How to use the Bible devotionally in small groups"--part of a series for a class at Willow Creek, my home church. I'll be talking about listening [...]
Can I quote you on that?
I love finding great quotes—thought provoking, interesting nuggets, wise and concise. I’ll often underline and flag them in books, or just find them in random spots—perhaps even in collections of quotations. Lately, I’ve been [...]