Category: 2011 Column

“I knew he was too proud to take criticism,” thought Anne, “and now I have proof!” On the previous Sunday, Anne had dropped a prayer card in the offering plate asking her pastor to stop in and pray with her when she went to the hospital for some minor surgery. When he failed to come … Continue reading God makes the dangers of using wrong judgment obvious

Chrissy was at Walmart with her two young sons when a man approached her in the parking lot. “I’m not asking for money,” he quickly assured Chrissy, “I just need something to eat. Can you help?” Chrissy told us later that she always carries a bag of imperishable items in the back of her car … Continue reading Ask for ways to be used by God

The news of Osama bin Laden’s demise met me early Monday morning as I read the newspaper online, and the thoughts I had for this week’s column were shoved aside. Although I cannot speak for God in this situation, I can say with confidence that God’s ways are perfectly just and though we may run … Continue reading You can run, but you cannot hide

The sunrise service was long over and it was almost time for the regular service to start. One of the little boys in the church asked me, “Isn’t it about time for the normal people to come?” I laughed as I considered a host of responses to him. There’s the comedienne’s book title that comes … Continue reading Normal is highly overrated

One of the facts about the resurrection of Jesus Christ that I love is that Mary Magdalene put herself in a position to be surprised by Jesus. She got to the tomb first on that Sunday morning, having gone there to anoint the body of the Lord. He had been in the grave since Friday … Continue reading Be in a place to be surprised by the work of the Lord

The place where Jesus went to pray the night he was betrayed is called Gethsemane, which means “oil press.” Gigantic olive trees stand there today where Jesus’ soul was pressed to the very limits of endurance. As he entered the garden, Jesus asked his three closest companions, Peter, James and John, to “stay and watch … Continue reading In the garden with Jesus