temparbor

The dumbest quote ever?

I saw a quote on Twitter today and I think it’s by a guy named Gerry Spence. I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. This stands at the heart of the misunderstandings that are out there about faith. I do not think Newton or the other mostly faith-filledContinue reading “The dumbest quote ever?”

Anniversary Reflections

(This comes from something I sent to my congregation on 2/27/03) Today is my fifteenth wedding anniversary. I get reflective on important dates, and this is definitely one of the biggies. I often think marriage is a great lesson for us in spirituality. When I married my wife 15 years ago today, I barely knewContinue reading “Anniversary Reflections”

Response to Glenn Beck

Recently Glenn Beck said, “If you find the words social justice or economic justice, on your church website, run as fast as you can.” He suggests that congregants in churches that teach social/economic justice should leave their churches and find new ones, and that these words are code words indicating communism or Nazism. “Good god, areContinue reading “Response to Glenn Beck”

To everyone who has ever church-shopped (and everyone who has given up)

I have a friend who has a friend who is looking for a good church. In the middle of his search, he went to a church where he heard that “the church is not meant to serve you and meet all your needs.” Now he is feeling guilty for even looking for a church thatContinue reading “To everyone who has ever church-shopped (and everyone who has given up)”

50 Things I’m Good At

It’s hard to admit that you’re good at things. It feels like bragging. My experience in pastoring and counseling, in fact, has shown me that people are far better at listing their weaknesses than their strengths. But everybody is good at something. Here are some things I am good at. By the way, you mightContinue reading “50 Things I’m Good At”

The Limits of Science

Science is amazing, but it has a hard time sticking to its own domain. Scientists make patronizing statements like, “Science is about facts – religion is about emotion, so the two have nothing to do with each other. Therefore if you want to believe that a God created the universe, you can go ahead andContinue reading “The Limits of Science”

On changing…

One of the secrets of life is to be honestly who you are. Who others want you to be, who you used to be, and who you may some day become … these are fantasies. To be honestly who you are is to give up your illusions and face today with courage. — Bill PurdinContinue reading “On changing…”

Children

It is said that to have a child is to have your heart walking around outside your body. Think of that imagery. So dangerous, so fragile. Our physical heart is behind a rib CAGE for a reason — it is precious. But we can’t keep our children in cages. All we can do is hopeContinue reading “Children”

Shaking “the shoulds”

Do you have a bad case of “the shoulds”? One of the most common questions I hear in the ministry and in counseling is, “How do I get (insert person’s name) to (insert activity or insight).” For example, “How do I get my brother to start making better dating choices?” Or, “How do I getContinue reading “Shaking “the shoulds””

The Prayer of Faith

God, I want to pray but I can’t. Sometimes you are our only hope, and it seems like you’re really not much. You let that little girl in California get murdered the other day. Right now, in every corner of the earth, someone is grieving over a child who is about to die, crying out toContinue reading “The Prayer of Faith”