The final words of Habakkuk’s prophesy are a prayer (Hab. 3:16-19).  The prophet had begun with a cry of complaint, “How long, O Lord, must I cry for help” (1:2). God then revealed to him how he was working mightily in his day in an most unexpected manner.  Habakkuk vowed to keep watch for a…

There are occasions on the spiritual path chosen for us, when we will slip and fall. In the well known 23rd Psalm, we’re told, “He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul, He guides me along the right paths, for his name’s sake” (Ps. 23:1-2).  There are over 20 references to a path…

In early 2010 ,James Houston wrote an article entitled “The Independence Myth” with the subtitle “Only our soul friends can show us the ecology of evil within us.”  Dr. Houston asks, “Could a new understanding of such terms as spiritual direction provide pointers to what is needed in our congregational life?  Could it be that…

I appreciate “Breakpoint.”  I go there each day as I attempt to make sense of today’s world.   A recent article was entitled, “Ready to change the world?  Eat dinner with your family.”  The article contained an enlightening quote from Dr. Anne Fishel, the director of the Family Dinner Project, regarding the family around the dinner…

In the early 1990’s I read a book by Charles Colson, entitled “Against the Night.”  He visualized  barbarians already having invaded our culture left a lasting impression on me.  He noted, “I believe that we do face a crisis in Western culture, and that it presents the greatest threat to civilization since the barbarians invaded…

Most observers of our nation seem to agree that the near future looks uncertain, with an approaching storm on the horizon.  Our perspective  can easily be shaped by the many “influencers” who spread misinformation in hopes of persuading us to ultimately believe “the lie” about the future. There is a frantic search for solutions, with…

Bible sales rose 22% through October of this year compared to the same period last year.  This is from data released by Circana Bookscan. This surge in Bible sales, happened while the total U.S. print book sales was up only by 1 %.  Print Bible sales hit a five-year low of just under 8.9 million…

During this Christmas season, we are celebrating the Incarnation.  In Hebrews 1: 2-3, we read, “And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.  God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.  The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the…

“The transition to Ambivalent World” is the title of an article in World Magazine by pastor Seth Troutt.  It got my attention.  As the teaching pastor at Ironwood Church in Arizona, I think this young pastor is alerting us to a shift in our culture.  “The vibes have shifted and young men in America are…

Mark Hemingway wrote a insightful article in the Federalist entitled, “We need to have a national conversation about ‘Toxic Femininity.’” While the author agrees that male violence and misogyny need to be addressed, the rise of internet culture has given rise to “toxic” masculinity.  By “successfully branding men as toxic,” Hemingway point out,  “no one…