Knowing & Being Known

“Does anybody know what we are living for?” asked Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, in the lyrics of the last song on their album, Innuendo. Millions are implicitly asking just that question. Jonathan Gabay, a thirty-one-year-old professional writer, was facing employment challenges and stress when he hit rock bottom. He began to ask questions about the meaning of life. He wrote to people in all walks of life: world leaders, the homeless, Oscar…

Jean Smith was in her mid-sixties. She came from Cwmbran in Wales. She had been blind for sixteen years. She had a white stick, and a guide dog named Tina. An infection had eaten away at the retinas and mirrors behind her eyes – they could not be replaced. She was in constant pain. Jean went on a local Alpha course. They had a day away to focus on the work of the Holy Spirit. During this time, the pain left. She went to church the following Sunday to thank God. The…

Sharing in Christ’s life means that we experience not only the close relationship He had with His Father but also His suffering. As Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25 ESV). We need to remember that as we seek to embody His righteousness, we may find our pursuit doesn&rsquo…

“We are called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but our own vulnerable self.”[i] - Henri J.M. Nouwen It was a magnificent day on the Chesapeake Bay overlooking the C&D Canal at one of our favorite spots - Schaefer’s Canal House. We come here often, not only to write but to relax – taking in the scents and the sounds of the boats and ripples from the tiny waves lapping against the bulkhead. A no-wake.…

In my book Visioneering, I use the biblical figure of Nehemiah to illustrate the effective pursuit of a vision for one’s life. Nehemiah got the war-damaged city of Jerusalem back together and functioning as it was supposed to. He organized the people to rebuild the city’s wall. He instituted social and spiritual reform. He got the temple operating again. And he convinced the people to observe the Sabbath as God intended. As I’ve said, everybody ends…

Your wounds brought messages with them. Lots of messages. Somehow they all usually land in the same place. They had a similar theme. “You’re worthless.” “You’re not a woman.” “You’re too much ... and not enough.” “You’re a disappointment.” “You are repulsive.” On and on they go. Because they were delivered with such pain, they felt true. They pierced our hearts, and they seemed so true. So…

You know that nickname you have for your spouse? I have one too. The most delightful person I know I call Sparkles. (Here comes a fun memo) On our first date, Colleen decided to buy a new sweater blouse – that’s what I’ll call it. It was pretty. In fact, it glistened from every angle. A little like she does. I thought it was nice until….. Everywhere we went sparkles were shed along the way. The sidewalk, the restaurant, the theater, and last but…

The answer to this question depends on what the ends or goals are and what means are being used to achieve them. If the goals are good and noble, and the means we use to achieve them are also good and noble, then yes, the ends do justify the means. But that’s not what most people mean when they use the expression. Most use it as an excuse to achieve their goals through any means necessary, no matter how immoral, illegal, or unpleasant the means may be. What the…

You were created with God’s purpose in mind. And until you discover his purpose for you—and follow through on it—there will always be a hole in your soul. As Ephesians 2:10 says, you are God’s workmanship. Don’t let this important reality slip by. Say it out loud: “I am God’s workmanship.” Do you know what that means? It means you are the product of God’s vision. God has decided what you could be and should be. And…