Reflections on Original: the Garden, the Fall, and Sin
“Poor things," I muttered, “all because of the original sin.” I was clearing dead leaves from struggling herbs in pots and ground cover in landscape beds. We use the word “original” to refer to something existing from the beginning, as in an original...
Everyone worships; the only choice is what to worship
It’s easy to worship God and praise Him for the beauty of His creation, even when it’s cold and there’s snow on the ground. It’s also easy to worship idols, often without realizing that’s what we’re doing. Today, reflections on worship from David Zahl, David Foster...
Remember less the before and more what comes after the BUT
“We’ve gotten several inches, but there’s more to come,” I said to Keith as we gazed out the keyhole windows. Snow covered the deck and beyond – that was evident. But what was memorable was the “more to come” after the “but.” But grief During the storm, our...
Why do we make a joyful noise unto the Lord if noise is unwanted?
We woke last Thursday morning to lightning, thunder, wind, and the tic-tic-tic of sleet and freezing rain—unwanted noise. Then on Saturday morning, another round of sleet, as pictured here, and snow is predicted for tomorrow. The silence of falling snow can be very...
Let’s hear it for second chances—and third and fourth and…
As I explore my word for this year—humility—I’m struck by how second chances at humility dominate our lives. Repeated practice. In listening to one another, in becoming who we’re meant to be, and in learning Who comes first. Second chance in the second half of...
May the favor of God establish the work of our hands
“Would you do me a favor and pick up the mail when you pick up your chainsaw from the repair shop?” I asked Keith on Friday afternoon. “Sure,” he said as he stroked Mac’s big head. Favor as an act of kindness I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly asking...