To prepare a good Bible lesson, you need some squirrel-like characteristics. Scamper. The initial phase of any lesson prep is surveying. This is an important part. The more you survey the less likely you are to wind up in some dead end. In English class, they sometimes call this phase of paper writing simply "finding a topic." To do this, you must survey lots of verses, … [Read more...] about Of Squirrels and Bible Lessons
Interruptions
What do you consider an interruption? Your answer will reveal your values. If you gravitate towards tasks, then phone calls and unexpected visits can feel like interruptions. If you gravitate towards people, emails and tasks can feel like interruptions.We don't like interruptions. They seem like distractions from our mission. But interruptions serve an important … [Read more...] about Interruptions
When Oceans Rise
When I was in college, I helped lead a sailing trip into the Bahamas. I will never forget sailing away from land into the vast, unknown ocean in the middle of the night. It was exciting and yet extremely eerie. In particular, I remember watching the depth finder readings as we passed into deeper waters. The numbers slowly ticked deeper and deeper down until all at once they … [Read more...] about When Oceans Rise
A Brief Theology of Fun
Fun. Nothing seems more antithetical to the Christian life than fun. Or at least that's the stereotype. Many bible verses come to mind... Solomon commends entering the house of sorrow over the house of mirth.Paul talks about his many travails.Jesus tells his disciples that following him means bearing a cross daily. Obviously, I have no interest in contradicting … [Read more...] about A Brief Theology of Fun
The Curve Ball
"After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself." -2 Chronicles 32:1 After...these acts of faithfulness. Well, if that don't smart! King Hezekiah was a good king. He followed the Lord with his heart. He kept the commandments. Chronicles … [Read more...] about The Curve Ball