Timothy Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, has stage four Pancreatic cancer. That’s not news—he’s been talking about it for some time. He has also been candid that he’s aware his time left here is limited. I greatly appreciate his honest hope in the midst of suffering and the reality of physical…
Tag: Hope
Hope in the Hurt
Saddened to read of the fear this recent act of hate in Atlanta has created in the Asian-American community and the added struggle the pandemic has caused over the last year. Cellist Soo Bae reminds us that in all circumstances, God is on the Throne and is worthy of all blessing and honor and glory.
An Open Letter to My Dad on His 88th Birthday
Dear Dad, If I’m completely honest, this time last year I didn’t think you would be here to see this day. All my life, I assumed that you would live to be in your late 90s, strong and healthy as an ox, just like Grandma and Grandpa. All my dreams and assumptions about that came…
Gravel Roads Get You There, Too
My Dad was born and raised in the little, country town of Mendenhall, Mississippi. When I was growing up, we spent nearly every Saturday down there visiting my grandparents, along with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins who were scattered along highway 13. Most of my memories include either walking or riding down all the…
In the Magnolia State of Uncertainty: Waiting to See What God Does
I made it back to Mississippi yesterday. I had waffled on when I was coming, trying to figure out timing so that I could be here when it’s most crucial for the family to be together. Not knowing which way this is going and when while living 400 miles away, timing is important. I don’t…
Whiplash From Life’s Hairpin Turns
As I write this, my Dad lay in ICU at Baptist Hospital in Jackson with a very slim chance of recovery, medically speaking. On Wednesday he was set to go home today (Friday) but took a terrible turn sometime during that night. In an instant, everything changed. That’s the way life is, isn’t it? Instantaneous…
The Mind-blowing Nature of Grace
One of the most challenging aspects of the Gospel is the amazing grace of God that declares Believers as perfect in Christ. It is hard to grasp because we know we’re still sinners. How can we be both sinners and sinless at the same time and, if true, how can we live in that reality?…
But God: The Foundational Truth
Last week, I wrote about the amazing chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he reminds them of God’s amazing power to change the course of life through His everlasting mercy. I mentioned that the recent experience of my Dad’s very serious illness from which he is currently recovering reminded me of his…
Aliens in a Strange Land
In Galatians 1:3-4, Paul writes that Jesus “gave himself to rescue us from this present evil age.” It seems like every day we’re confronted in new and more blatant terms just how evil this present age is. On the one hand, it can be heart-breaking to see a culture in constant decline and that reality…
Some Quick Thoughts on Fear
Fear is one of the most crippling things in life. It causes us to fall back in the face of opposition or danger. It prevents us from taking advantage of great opportunities that could alter our lives for the good. It leads us to play it safe when anything worth having involves some level of…
Transcript of 3 Gifts of the Savior Series: Hope
[Video available on my Sermon Video page here.] The Gathering, Chattanooga December 6, 2015 ~The doctor slowly walked in and sat down with the look on his face that said it all. Before he could say a word, tears began to stream down her face as she leaned onto her husband’s shoulder. He tightly wrapped…
A Morning Meditation
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 This is an amazing passage, especially in light of the fact that Paul has just concluded chapter 7 by talking of the war that wages within us; of the struggle, as Christ-followers, to do what we want to do, all…
Morning Encouragement
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[b] his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is…
A Liberated Mess
Last week, I took a couple of days for a personal retreat. I had a lot of things unresolved in my own mind and heart and they were starting to take a toll on me (physically, spiritually and emotionally). Karen suggested I take some time to get away, alone with God, and try and work…
Portrait of a Savior, Part 11 video
Portrait of a Savior, Part 11 from The Gathering on Vimeo. According to John, Jesus has the authority to both give life to whomever He pleases and to judge the living and the dead. What does it mean to truly live the life given by Christ? Is it possible to have eternal life and yet…
No Room For Compromise
I had the opportunity to hang out yesterday with a couple of young adults whom I have great affection for and was able to hear from them what some of the general attitudes are regarding right and wrong and was is considered acceptable among their age-group. I wasn’t the least bit shocked, but still deeply…
Gloriously Inadequate
I was reading this morning in Jeremiah. The first part is the calling of the prophet and how he, sort of like Moses, says he can’t speak. Unlike Moses, though, Jeremiah claims that he is too young…just a youth. I love God’s response: “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to…
When Despair Creeps In
If I am being completely honest and transparent with you, I’m struggling. I’m wrestling with the mental affects of chronic pain. Now, chronic pain can be labeled in different ways and is usually reserved for pain that has no real end in sight. Hopefully, that is not the definition for me. I have been dealing…
Holy Rebellion: Making the Determination to Stand
I refuse to be defeated. That statement sounds a bit absurd, if you think about it. I mean, if I’m standing in a boxing ring in front of a 230lb well-tuned fighting machine, I’m not sure that my attitude matters very much. I don’t think he cares what I refuse to do. He’s going to…
When Life Gets Tough
Life is tough. Everybody knows that. There is no way for us to get away from the troubles and difficulties that we all have to face. Sometimes, it’s little more than the inconveniences of traffic, dealing with an overbearing boss, or misplacing a wallet. Other times, it’s infinitely worse. Those are events in life that…
Looking for God in the Whirlwind
I have been following the reports about the Oklahoma tornado since it happened yesterday. The more I watch, the sadder I get. As I’ve seen the images, my mind has involuntarily weaved together scenarios of the lives that have been decimated. I’ve pictured the lives of those little children who woke up yesterday morning, got…
