When we moved to the city I tried commuting by car, bus, and train. They're all OK — driving is quick, you can read on the bus, and the train laughs at weather and traffic. But the best option, if you're not fussy about ironed shirts, is biking. After two years of it, here's what I've learned. … Continue reading Seven things I’ve learned about biking to work
Following Jesus • 44 / A question of kingdoms
Read This: John 3:1-8 Nicodemus: We know that you have come from God. Jesus: Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Like all devout Jews, Nicodemus was seeking the kingdom of God. Scripture pointed to a God-anointed leader, like David, restoring the kingdom to Israel. Since God was with Jesus, … Continue reading Following Jesus • 44 / A question of kingdoms
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Starting to Exercise
(1) It doesn’t fit my lifestyle. I like to eat and I’m too busy. (2) It’s worse than boring. It’s uncomfortable. There’s nothing to think about except how awful you feel. (3) It’s necessary. Eating cake and French fries makes you feel lousy. So does wearing tight pants. Plus, if climbing stairs is exhausting, there’s … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Starting to Exercise
Seven things I learned from The Giver, by Lois Lowry
1. Choice creates risk. With choice come wrong choices, and wrong choices bring harm. Given the harm, it’s tempting to eliminate choice. But choice brings joy and maturity. Better to equip the chooser to choose than to remove the choice. 2. Pain is something we avoid. Superficial avoidance is easy — simply find something to take your … Continue reading Seven things I learned from The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Following Jesus • 43 / Answering the right question
Read This: John 3:1-3 A non-sequitur is a statement that doesn’t logically follow from the previous statement. Nicodemus wouldn’t have come to Jesus if he wasn’t looking for something. He was trying to understand who Jesus was. God must have sent him because he’s doing things only God can do. Acts of God were nothing … Continue reading Following Jesus • 43 / Answering the right question
Following Jesus • 42 / Acting on belief
Read This: John 3:1-2 Jesus’ upending of the temple bazaar produced results. Many who were there believed what He said because of what He did — including Nicodemus, a national leader. Not just a religious leader, he was a member of the elite group who ruled the nation. Nicodemus didn’t approach Jesus in the temple. … Continue reading Following Jesus • 42 / Acting on belief
A picture I’ll never forget
On this day last year, after 63 years of marriage, my dad kissed his high school sweetheart goodbye. By the kindness of God, Beck and I were there — it was the final day of our annual visit. The three of us kissed her one last time, gathered her things, and drove home. When we got there, Dad … Continue reading A picture I’ll never forget
