An Unencumbered Journey

Tertullian, one of the fathers of the early church, is quoted as saying, “And so it is when a man walks along a road, the lighter he travels, the happier he is; equally, on this journey of life, a man is more blessed if he does not pant beneath a burden of riches.” Panting beneath a load of riches? What’s that? Aren’t riches a blessing? One of the by-products, and even sometimes the motivating force in striving for success in our careers, is the opportunity to gain financial increase through our efforts. We work hard to improve our performance, to satisfy our customers/supervisors, to learn how to do whatever we do with increasing value and effectiveness, and often we succeed. Our success brings with it a greater ability to acquire “things.” Things like, well you know, bigger...

Can We See Laodicea From here?

I am a voracious reader and have been for years. I find that God often speaks to me through the witness and testimony of others, even those with whom I don’t agree at all. I hope that I stay open and teachable as His Spirit exposes me to many voices and leads me to hear Him through the clatter that sometimes contains only one nugget of truth. Of course some writers speak more clearly than others and seem to have a discernment that resonates within one in a special way. One such for me has always been A.W. Tozer. I have read much if not all of his published material over 30+ years and found him to be one of the most influential and reliable in terms of his commitment to and exposition of a Biblical, Christ-centered world-view. I commend him to any sincere follower of Jesus and doubt...

You’re not – I am!

On a Saturday morning in early spring many years ago I was sitting in my easy chair at home, having just finished some pleasant quiet time, when the phone rang. I had no idea of the profound significance the call I was about to take would have on my life. I was at the beginning of a revelatory experience that would change me and my understanding of life forever. It was early and I was not expecting anyone to call so I picked up the phone with a bit of concern. The person calling, a man, asked to speak to me and I acknowledged that he was. “Good,” he said, “I was hoping to see you this morning. I think that I have a message from God for you.” “Who are you, and what is the message about, and why do you think it is for me from God?” I asked. I am by nature a skeptical person...

Whose Drumbeat Do You Follow?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music that he hears, however measured or far away.“  Henry David Thoreau So, whose drum are you listening to? We all are hearing one you know. Listening, following. Is your drummer the incessant beat of the materialistic, hedonistic, “stuff” is the answer of our current culture? Are you caught up in the swirl of busyness and breathless aquisition that is the norm of our day? Many if not most Christians are. In fact in every measurable or discernable way the mass of what the world sees as contemporary Christianity looks no different from what they see in the mirror. We value what they value. We chase the same things they chase. The beat goes...