Author, philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, Howard Thurman once wrote: “When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the […]
Often when people tell me, “Oh I don’t believe in God,” I’ll respond, “Tell me about this god you don’t believe in.” And most often it is a tyrant god; a god who is judgmental; a god who loves some and hates others; a god who is petty about particular behaviors. And most often, my […]
Every year in our church we re-tell the Christmas story. Sometimes it becomes so familiar, even quaint, that we miss the rough edges. But, the rough edges reveal much. In the story, we learn that Jesus was born into a war-torn country, occupied by the Roman Empire. We learn about Joseph, who had to undertake […]
One of my favorite Christmas hymns is from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Christmas Bells.” Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The Carols drowned Of peace on earth, good will to men! And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I […]
I have been surfing now for more than 30 years, and have never lost the thrill of catching a wave. Every time I paddle out, I feel a renewed sense of joy and peace. I also love the healthy lifestyle. I love hanging out with friends on the beach. I love watching surfing and talking […]
Zig Ziglar tells about a successful jewel thief back in the Roaring Twenties by the name of Arthur Berry. Berry liked to hobnob with the rich and famous of Boston’s elite, and in fact, he wouldn’t steal from just anybody – only the very upper class. One night the police caught Berry and shot him […]
I don’t know if you know the story of Isaac Watts. When he was born, his father was in prison for his stand against the Church of England. Isaac himself was a sickly child who continued to be a rather sickly adult. Apparently, his illness caused him to have an unsightly appearance. He was only […]
There is a story about a wealthy oil baron who once commissioned Picasso to paint a portrait of his wife. When the work was completed, the baron was shocked to see the image that had been created. “Why that looks nothing like my wife! You should have painted her the way she really is!” Picasso […]
There’s a wonderful story about a little boy who couldn’t wait for his new baby sister to come home from the hospital. He couldn’t wait to be near her and to talk to her. But his parents didn’t want him to be left alone with her; he was only four, so they would supervise his […]
Not long ago, I was listening to a pastor of a mega-church talk about how when he was first starting his church, he thought to himself, if I can just get this church to 300 members, then, I’ll feel like I’ve made it. When the church reached three hundred, he thought to himself, “Well, when […]
