Category: Spirituality

My Two Masters Part Two

Daniel LaRusso’s first three days of “karate training” are filled with menial chores around Miyagi’s oasis in the junkyard.  Each chore must be carried out according specific instructions, “Wax on, right hand; wax off, left hand.  Make big da circles.  Breathe in the nose, out through the mouth.”  The next day, “Paint the fence.”  The…… Continue reading My Two Masters Part Two

Don’t just stand there! Stand up! {Guest Post}

A more prosaic post by my post-Christian friend, Zane Gilley. Years ago, while I was still Christian, I had this great idea for a song about the three young men in the fiery furnace.  I don’t recall any of the verses of it, but the chorus still comes readily to mind.   “What’s it to…… Continue reading Don’t just stand there! Stand up! {Guest Post}

Fish Eyes

Mike the mallard bobbed on the surface of the pond, the early November wind whipping through his feathers.  Driven by an empty gizzard, Mike plunged toward the silted bottom.  Halfway down he encountered a rather large bass which caused him to backpedal a bit then come to a full upright position under water.  The bass,…… Continue reading Fish Eyes

Good ‘Bye!

Church leaders can spend a lot of time attempting to keep people from leaving their congregations. We actually talk about ways to “close the back door” to our churches. It occurred to me in the car today, though, that for a church on mission it’s always a good thing when people leave.  Either they leave…… Continue reading Good ‘Bye!

My Two Masters Part One

I’ll admit it: The movie, “Karate Kid” has to some degree defined me as a person.  I’m not talking about the nepotistically-produced, pathetic excuse for a remake.  I mean the gloriously cheesy, deliciously predictable original.  I grew up without a father and really without a consistent father figure.  As a modern individualist, my rational mind…… Continue reading My Two Masters Part One

Prison Bars…

I used to correspond through the mail with an inmate named Lowell.  I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered a more biblically literate person.  Perhaps this was because he had come to know his desperate need for God and was given plenty of time to find him in solitary confinement.  As a former member of…… Continue reading Prison Bars…

Man of Sorrow {Guest Post}

Another amazing, Bible-inspired poem from Zane Gilley, which I trust will focus your thoughts on the gospel of Christ this Good Friday.    Man of Sorrow    The Son of God was born on earth to die,   To rule not over sinful world below.   The Son of Man is lifted up on high.    The zealots lusted…… Continue reading Man of Sorrow {Guest Post}

Dancing with an Elephant

I’m reading the book, When Helping Hurts by Fikkert and Corbett.  The authors work with a non-profit organization called “The Chalmers Center” whose purpose is to alleviate poverty around the world.  I highly recommend this book.  It has really opened my eyes to the good intentions which are so often blown through ignorance.  One prevalent…… Continue reading Dancing with an Elephant