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Mundane Grace

The dishes that really delight our taste buds are often hiding a secret ingredient that gives that particular culinary delight the extra edge it needs to go from “good food” to “this is what I want to eat before I die.” Perhaps it’s a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg laced unsuspectingly into a casserole, orContinueContinue reading “Mundane Grace”

New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions. Passé? Silly? Self-centered? Shallow? A futile excursion into self-reliant moralism? Maybe. They certainly have become everyone’s favorite holiday punching bag. Rarely is a kind word said about them.But I like New Year’s. I like do-overs. I like second, third, and thirty-seventh chances. I like trying to be better than I was.I lookContinueContinue reading “New Year’s Resolutions”

Sermon Writing in Six (Not Very) Easy Steps

1. Determine sermon text.2. Read sermon text.3. Write out all the questions you have about sermon text.4. Write out all the questions others may have about sermon text.5. Study until you find all the answers.6. Preach those answers.

Professors or Possessors?

The sun had set and a cool breeze was blowing down the main drag in Maplewood. We were soul winning. I like working the bus stops. People at bus stops are usually bored. They seem to like talking to friendly strangers. Most of them. Bored people. Cool breezes. A good night for talking. A youngContinueContinue reading “Professors or Possessors?”

How to Hack a Vintage Book into a Custom Journal

##### The journal market has exploded since the advent of the Moleskine, but not everyone wants to spend $15 for a notebook. Others may prefer the look of something totally unique, or maybe you just want to get into another DIY project. Whatever your reason for wanting to bind your own notebook, here’s an easyContinueContinue reading “How to Hack a Vintage Book into a Custom Journal”

Clock-Watching in the Prayer Closet

Why do we struggle to pray? Why is it so hard to be faithful to the prayer closet? Why does it seem that sometimes our walk with God is characterized more by drudgery than delight? Are we just supposed to be satisfied that prayer gets done, even though our time in prayer isContinueContinue reading “Clock-Watching in the Prayer Closet”