Feeling Thankful in the Cultural Chaos

I encourage myself and you to turn off the news this week and concentrate on what we have to be thankful for this holiday. I think you might be surprised at how many good things you take for granted everyday. I love the concept of Thanksgiving. The idea that we collectively take a day to concentrate on the abundant blessings we have in this country. Thanksgiving Song by Mary Chapin Carpenter captures the intimacy of this wonderful holiday. Grateful for each hand we holdGathered round this table.From far and near we travel home,Blessed that we are able. After the pandemic Thanksgiving last year just the simple ability to gather around a table holding hands is a huge blessing. I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I am grateful for another year with my wonderful wife Joni. I am grateful for three wonderful sons, now three amazing daughter-in-laws, and six heart stealing grandchildren. I am blessed that our family is able
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What Triggered Jesus?

I am fascinated and more than a little convicted when I look at the behaviors that caused Jesus to react with anger or harsh words. Let’s first look at a few examples that prompted grace and not condemnation. A woman caught in adultery is dragged before Jesus with the demand that he condone the law that she should be killed for her sin. His reaction? Jesus knelt down, wrote in the sand, and challenged the persons without any sin to hurl the first rock. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8, NLT) Jesus had compassion on a person who was
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Think You Don’t Have a Purpose in Life?

Psalm 139 is one of the most inspiring Psalms in Scripture and it was the inspiration for my book Waking Up Slowly. We don’t know when David wrote this stirring account of God’s indescribable attributes. Some believe he wrote it as a shepherd while gazing at the stars and the enormity of the heavens. Some feel he wrote it when he became king over Israel. As a more experienced human being myself it certainly feels like David had to have lived a little more life in order to write such a majestic dialog with God. But the truth is we just don’t know. In this amazing Psalm David made three observations about the greatness of God. God knows everything about us. God is everywhere we are. God ordains everything about you. One thing the Psalmist clearly proclaims is that we are not accidents and there is a purpose for you and me. You know me inside and out,    you know every
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How Would Jesus Confront the Cancel Mob?

Twitter makes cowards courageous and the anonymity of cyberspace can make the mean spirited downright evil. I have watched with sadness as Twitter tyrants have destroyed or severely damaged people and institutions. Sometimes the venom is directed at those who simply have a sincere difference of opinion on moral issues. And no event seems to generate more glee than a Christian leader or institution failing. Without fail the hypocrite word is used with smug satisfaction. And it is true. Let me make this personal since I can only speak honestly for me. I am a hypocrite. I do not consistently live up to the teachings of Jesus. I fail. I sin. That is why I need a Savior and not a self-help course. I am confident not in my holiness but in the holiness of Jesus. I remember hearing a pastor say that “we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But that doesn’t keep us from
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Can We Change the Culture?

Watching the news on television is devastatingly depressing. I prefer to spend my leisure moments reading, listening to music, and walking with canine friend Maggie. On today’s walk I pondered whether this culture can be redeemed while Maggie sniffed and checked p-mail. So many smart, and I pray, well intentioned people think our society can be changed through programs and education. Before you hit cancel I am open to all helpful options. While it is possible we have a head problem Jesus said the real problem comes from the heart. “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”(Matthew 15:18-19, NLT) Change happens from the inside out. I wrote about the culture war in my book “When Bad Christians Happen to Good People”. Here is an excerpt from that discussion. If I were to ask the average Christian what victory in the culture
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The Best Reunion Ever Is Already Booked!

This past weekend I celebrated my 50th reunion with my Chillicothe Cavalier classmates in Southern Ohio. It was a remarkable time of laughing and reminiscing with, uhh, experienced friends. Time can be so perplexing. Sometimes my days strolling the long halls of that school feel like forever ago. At other times the memories seem like they happened yesterday. I had the sobering assignment of assembling a video to remember our classmates who passed away before this milestone reunion. As I edited the high school photos of over sixty souls I was deeply moved. There were some close relationships. Some I only knew in passing but were still familiar faces. One of the departed was my best friend in high school. How I wished we could have had our whole gang together but that is not how this journey works. We lost one classmate who planned to attend to Covid just days before our meeting. I loved that gathering of old
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Am I Crazy?

I smiled as I typed the title for this week’s musing. Those who know me have probably already answered. Have you met Dave? I have often conceded that my brain wasn’t wired to factory specs and one way that manifests itself is finding spiritual insight in secular song lyrics. Case is in point is this week’s offering inspired by Alison Krause and Union Station. Alison Krause has a voice like an angel. She is an artist that I can listen to no matter what my mood might be. Today my satellite radio landed on a song titled Crazy as Me. The lyrics are talking about a series of failed relationships. The lyric that Alison Krause sings that resonated with me are these words. Some folks seem to think I only got one problemI can’t find nobody as crazy as me Without question I have way more than one problem but let’s put that aside for awhile. When this lyric came
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