The size of the Grand Canyon is inexplicable! You have to see it to believe it, and even then it is hard to comprehend. When I see the Grand Canyon, I think of one thing, “God, who created this small crack in the Earth’s surface, created me.” It’s incredible, isn’t it? The God of the [...]
Do You Need an “I” exam?
May 27, 2011 By 6 Comments
When you look at the picture above, what do you see? Do you see a black dot? Why? A few weeks ago I was talking with my pastor about some frustrating things that I was facing. While I was talking, he pulled out a piece of paper and put a black dot on it. Holding [...]
Do You Ever Get Homesick?
May 23, 2011 By 4 Comments
I have been out of the country now for three weeks. Normally, I love every minute of seeing old friends, making new ones, seeing new sites and simply being adventurous. However, yesterday I found myself longing for home. I was tired from a weekend of little sleep, too much sun and probably not enough water. [...]
Are You Getting the Real Deal?
May 15, 2011 By 6 Comments
Last week, I was shopping in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. It is truly an incredible site. One can find anything from key chains, to gold bracelets, to soccer (football) jerseys, to authentic Ottoman antiques. However, there is a problem: Some of the merchandise is fake. I asked one of my close Turkish friends, [...]
Amazing Grace, Part 3
May 8, 2011 By 5 Comments
This post is the final post in a 3-part series. Click here to read Part 1 (Refining Grace) and Part 2 (Relieving Grace). If you are reading this post, there is at least one element of God’s grace that you have never experienced. We have seen His refining grace as He molds us into His [...]
Amazing Grace, Part 2
May 4, 2011 By 2 Comments
This post is the second of a 3-part series. Click here to read Part 1 (Refining Grace) and Part 3 (Relieving Grace). One of the most difficult aspects of God’s grace was discussed last week here on my blog—refining grace. While not a process we enjoy, it is nonetheless an evidence of God’s love for us. When [...]
Amazing Grace, Part 1
April 18, 2011 By 7 Comments
This post is the first of a 3-part series. Click here to read Part 2 (Refining Grace) and Part 3 (Relieving Grace). Grace. God’s unmerited favor. We pray for it. We talk about it. We claim it. But do we even know what we are asking for? Do we even know that it is? Many times Christians [...]
Where God and I Differ
March 18, 2011 By 10 Comments
One thing is very clear to me: God and I see things very differently. I would agree sin is wrong. However, I do not always see it being as wrong as He does. Sorry, but I am just being honest. In Matthew 5:29-31, Christ describes to us a very gruesome scene: To lust in your [...]
Truly Crazy Love
March 16, 2011 By 5 Comments
As I read Psalm 51 this morning, I was amazed by the storyline: My sin is before God – v. 3 My sin is against God – v. 4 My sin is judged by God – v. 4 He should hate me. He sees how wicked I am. He sees how I choose to love [...]
Radical or Regulated Forgiveness?
February 23, 2011 By 12 Comments
My Monday post was really an outpouring of some personal time I had spent meditating on the Lord’s Prayers. As I continued to think about this prayer, I realized that this prayer holds several radical statements. This one is a call to radical forgiveness. Consider: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Wait [...]
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