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big picture prayers

Big Picture Prayers

My wife is not a squeaky wheel. She is not constantly complaining or demanding my attention. The saying goes, “the squeaky wheel get the grease.” We tend to spend our time and energy on what causes us the most annoyance. Though a natural tendency, it is unwise and shortsighted — not to mention bad husbanding. My wife still has needs that God wants me to provide. Similarly, our prayers can reflect the squeaky wheel pattern when we lose sight of the big… Read More »Big Picture Prayers

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Big Picture Worship

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My workshop has a scrap bin. Each new project adds to it and sometimes draws from it. Yet, inevitably it grows disproportionately larger than the project deserves when I fail to take into account the big picture. Nowhere is the big picture perspective more important than in worship. Determined Worship In Psalm 9, the psalmist begins enthusiastically with four “I will” statements:  I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.I will be glad… Read More »Big Picture Worship

Made to Wonder

As a grandpa, I experience the joys of infant and toddler grandchildren with only a fraction of the mess I had as a parent. Considering their mother, father, aunts, and grandma, there is a multi-level firewall between me and a dirty diaper. In addition, I enjoy seeing the wonder and excitement that is so easily stirred within small children. I often feign those same emotions as I interact with my grandsons, and I envy them for not having to pretend.… Read More »Made to Wonder

A Righteous Refuge

Our founding fathers had a pretty good understanding of man’s tendency to sin — specifically to abuse power. All were not biblical scholars. However, whatever evidence they lacked due to ignorance of the Bible, King George III was able to provide with Redcoats. As a result, in the United States, our constitution requires a separation of powers. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches have equal but distinct and limited authority with checks on the other branches. So, how can we… Read More »A Righteous Refuge

At the End of My Rope Is a Knot

What do you do with a nerdy kid who daydreams of being a daring crime fighter or superhero? Send him to gym class — or PE as it is known today. Nothing could bring me down to earth more quickly — and literally — than trying to do a layup when I had not yet mastered the skill of walking and chewing gum at the same time. The only redeeming feature in the gymnasium was the row of climbing ropes.… Read More »At the End of My Rope Is a Knot

Asking for Directions

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The GPS has effectively killed a stereotype, virtually overnight. Some — primarily women — had claimed that men have a hard time asking for directions. I can neither confirm nor deny the truth of that accusation. However, with the proliferation of cellular technology, it has become a moot point. Now, every smartphone comes with driving directions. Interestingly, most navigation applications default to using a female voice. And, I might add, that voice never says, “Honey, why don’t you stop and… Read More »Asking for Directions

Reining in the Outrage

I cringe whenever I hear a guy say he tweeted something. Do not get me wrong, I can adapt to new technology. I no longer report our credit card stolen when my wife tells me that the cashier swiped it. However, this Twitter thing is different. Tweeting just does not sound like something a grown man should do. Putting aside the silliness of the terminology, there is real danger in technology that allows us to immediately fire off short bursts… Read More »Reining in the Outrage

Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 3

This is part three in a three part post on Fighting the Fear Monster – lessons from Psalm 3. For the previous posts, see Part 1 or Part 2. Shimei: Fear for Reputation We are all quite capable destroying our reputations without the help of others. Yet, we often get unsolicited help. As David was fleeing Jerusalem with his band of loyal followers, Shimei followed, literally within a stones throw from them. He flung not only dust and stones at… Read More »Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 3

Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 2

This is part two in a three part post on Fighting the Fear Monster – lessons from Psalm 3. For the previous post, see Part 1. Ahithophel: Fear from Vulnerability Finding that his own son had plotted against him was heartbreaking for David, but discovering that his chief adviser was helping Absolom was terribly alarming. Ahithophel was an expert strategist with a reputation of always knowing the advantageous thing to do (2 Samuel 16:23). In addition, he knew David. Ahithophel… Read More »Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 2

Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 1

Could it be a conspiracy? Are manufacturers of energy drinks funneling a cut from their profits to the publishers of academic textbooks and certain unscrupulous professors. Driven to drink these caffeine-laced concoctions by the looming disaster of a final exam over material in a coma-inducing textbook, the unwary college student falls victim to a trap. It is a vicious trap – lack of study will keep you awake, while studying will put you to sleep. In a bizarre twist on… Read More »Fighting the Fear Monster – Part 1