grace
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What does forgiveness require—and what does it not require? In Matthew 18:15–35, Jesus brings together honest conversation, accountability, healthy boundaries, reconciliation, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. Peter asks how many times he must forgive. Jesus responds by taking away the ledger. The servant wanted mercy as a benefit but refused to live by…
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One morning or evening when the breeze was blowing gently, God took a walk in the garden He had made. I wonder how often this happened in Eden. It must have been a source of great pleasure for God, for Adam, and for Eve. No doubt, the man and woman often joined God for this…
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Frankly, I’m Too Busy—and Too Broke We have only so much mental, physical, and emotional energy. If we spend it, it is spent. If we spend it fretting about something that will ultimately take care of itself, we have wasted a limited resource. Fretting is expensive, and frankly, I am too busy and too broke…
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Religious Scrupulosity, OCD, and the Fear of the “Unpardonable Sin” Recently, I recorded a sermon and companion reflections around Matthew 12 and Jesus’ strong words about loyalty, neutrality, resistance, and decision. In that passage, Jesus says startling things: That second statement has troubled sensitive believers for generations. And because I addressed it in the sermon…
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It was a moment of embarrassment, the kind that wakes you up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night when you dreamt it: Lunch was done; conversation paused, the wait person dropped off the check. It was a reasonable amount. My face did not turn unnaturally white until I reached for my…
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Sometimes slower gets you there sooner and better. Like slow food, grace must be savored. Life moves too quickly at best. The Long, Lingering, Meandering Way We meander and gather our thoughts. We stop here and there to taste and breathe and to be aware. But a nagging voice within us whispers that we are…
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“We would do well not to be enamored by the kind of leadership that is so prized by politicians and CEOs, the kind that is conspicuous and, as we say, “effective.” Forget about charisma, go for character.” – Eugene Peterson, The Unnecessary Pastor (adapted) When I encourage people to be vulnerable, they sometimes look at…
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“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner (Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC God calls us to space, place, face, and at His own pace to and through grace to meet Him and one another.
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