Last week, I noticed a clipboard abandoned on a table. It held things that might be useful, “just in case.” It occurred to me the Bible is like a clipboard. It’s filled with spiritual “just in case” thoughts. For instance: “Wisdom that descends from above” is “full of mercy…without partiality…without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) I need to… Continue reading “A Spiritual Clipboard”
Tag: Growing
“Beautiful Cover-up”
In India, women like to stain their feet and hands with a light, reddish-brown color. They call it Mehendi. It’s beautiful. But there’s a reason for this fashion—the daily grime of living in poverty. It’s a beautiful cover-up. Spiritually, I beautifully cover-up my selfishness and pride under the color of the good that I do… Continue reading “Beautiful Cover-up”
“Even Better Than Before”
I had just bought a small birdhouse basket. At home, I noticed a small natural gap in the wood. So, I decided to use some carpenter’s glue and a small nail. After the repair, I realized that the basket was stronger than it was originally. And isn’t that how it is, in Christ? We’re filled… Continue reading “Even Better Than Before”
“Bricks and Blocks”
I sat in my friend’s driveway. So, I noticed the bricks in his house, each absolutely identical. Then I began to notice that each one was actually quite unique. They’re identical only when I don’t pay attention. People too—we look, and maybe even act like so many other people.But God created us as individual. He knows… Continue reading “Bricks and Blocks”
“Big Windows”
I always enjoy huge windows. They let me enjoy nature while protecting me from the bugs and weather. But neither can I experience the joy of God’s world in person. That’s the cost of protecting myself. I do need to be prudent. I don’t need to be rash. But when I try to avoid pain… Continue reading “Big Windows”
“Buildings and Bushes”
It seems that everywhere town planners put beautiful trees and bushes next to their buildings. And we do it to our homes too! It’s as if we want to enjoy parts of nature, but be protected from the rest of it. I feel this way about God Himself, sometimes too! I want Him near me.… Continue reading “Buildings and Bushes”
“A Good Enough Pot”
My wife loves flowers of all sorts. And she sees beauty where I see little or nothing. One day she planted a seedling in a really ugly blue plastic coffee can. I asked her why that ugly can? She explained: “When the flower is strong enough, I’ll re-plant it in a place that shows off… Continue reading “A Good Enough Pot”
“Bingham’s Squirrel”
My neighbor, 7 year old Bingham, wanted to have a squirrel eat out of her hand, but naturally, the squirrel was afraid, so wouldn’t come to her. So she laid the food by the tree and waited at a distance. Every day. After a month, she waited a bit closer to the food, and moved… Continue reading “Bingham’s Squirrel”
“A Twist Tie”
I use twist ties for lots of things–bread bags, computer wires that snake across my office, organizing loose keys, and so forth. And, unfortunately, I sometimes treat people a bit like twist-ties, looking mostly for what makes them useful. Yett in my more spiritual moments I remember that people aren’t things. I need to love… Continue reading “A Twist Tie”
“A Disaster”
I’ve experienced disaster. Sometimes it’s impersonal, as with hurricanes, tornados, floods and the election of politicians I believe are corrupt. Sometimes it’s very personal: Death. Illness. Being fired. But I absolutely must remember Jesus’s redemption promise! He not only gives me strength to endure these tests. He gives me the deep-down promise that these aren’t… Continue reading “A Disaster”