Happened upon The Paper Source not long ago as Lisa & I strolled South Coast Plaza. Even though I love Michael’s, I’m not into scrap-booking, but the parchments, patterns, crafts, and novelty items just floored me. Some items of interest: Big Lebowski in Your Pocket key chain with recorded lines from the cult classic Coen [...]

I recently finished a writing project project for our church — a Lenten Devotional. It was a team effort, soliciting entries from five individuals, writing, editing, and assembling the devotional. Throughout Lent, I will be posting a few of those entries. This one focuses ON CHRIST’S TEMPTATION. * * * The apostle Paul could say [...]

Friendliness is over-rated — especially as it relates to churches. Of course, grumpiness won’t win many hearts. And snobbery is only a virtue in Hollywood. Nevertheless, it is ultimately more important that churches articulate the Gospel than that they are friendly. Sure, friendliness can be a bridge to sharing our Message. But what does it [...]

God is both infinitely far and infinitely near; He is distant and close, outside us and inside us. Or as C.S. Lewis put it, “God is both further from us, and nearer to us, than any other being.” The theological terms are transcendence and immanence. Transcendence means that God is completely outside of us; He [...]

So I had this dream that my right arm, just below the elbow, was severed. It was a clean cut — so clean, in fact, that there was no blood. Just a limp, unattached, arm. Someone attended me, a man whose face was, conveniently, out of view. In a rather soothing voice, he said I [...]

For the last five years, since the emergent church has landed on my radar, I have given the movement and its leaders the benefit of the doubt. During that time, I read some of their books, followed their blogs, and watched podcasts. As one who’s always nurtured a rebellious streak, believing that the American church [...]

For the most part, I think Valentine’s Day IS trivial. Lisa, however, is not. Of course, she’d prefer a coupon booklet to a box of chocolates. Getting 15% off that next purchase is as thrilling to her as a champagne dinner. And saves us a lot more money! She still enjoys chick flicks, usually without [...]

Two women, both scorned, are book-ending a public discussion of marital infidelity. Coincidentally, both wives claim to be Christians, as do their offending spouses. Which makes the discussion even more fascinating. But the underlying question in both cases is the same: Should they stay or should they go? Which is why the “Christian” part of [...]

So I have this thing about crucifixes. No, I don’t believe they possess magical powers. Wearing one or hanging one over your doorpost is no guarantee of blessing or protection. However, symbolically, the cross is foundational to everything Christians believe. Anyway, that’s the justification for my fascination. So I’ve been tinkering with this side project [...]