It was 4 AM and I hadn’t slept all night. I was trying to lie on hospital benches with ill-placed arm rests, and finding them wedged in uncomfortable places. My brother John-Peter’s first child had just been born and while everyone else had left, I wanted to stay to celebrate the birth of a son with […]
Archives for October 2013
Are You God’s Annoying Neighbor?
Sometimes our modern sensibilities are a bit off. You shuffle into the kitchen and flip on the light switch. Yawn. Shake a few lumps of coffee grounds into the pot instead of on the countertop this time. Cream cheese a bagel. Check your Instagram newsfeed. Pour a cup of hot brew. Kick off your slippers and slide into Toms, […]
Built Around Butterflies
If commitment were built around feelings, even Jesus would have left you a long time ago. Your heart starts pounding and time slows down. You watch from afar as an angel moves in a graceful dance. Sure, to others she is chewing her nails or doodling in a notebook, but to you every movement is […]
Is Your Church Too Cool For Family?
Sometimes our attempts to be trendy, cool churches with the perfect Sunday morning experience backfire. I finished praying over dinner as a voice nearby chimed in. “That was a nice prayer.” I surveyed the table. The voice was a beautiful woman, late 30’s. Husband beamed across from her. Two girls, one teen, one younger — both friendly, polite. Nice family. A pastor friend of mine was walking by at the […]