It's happened at least three times before in my lifetime-- an icon dies! A god is dead.I was just a kid when J.F.K. died, but I still remember hearing about it. In 1980 I was in my fiancee's apartment waiting for her to get home when I heard about John Lennon's death. In 1997 it was my wife's last day of work when news hit the world that Princess Diana had died. And now we hear that Michael Jackson has met an untimely demise.All kings and queens in their own right....but, friends, I can ... Read Full Story

We live in an age of scandal. If it isn't Jon & Kate Gosselin, it's Perez Hilton and Carrie Prejean, or swimmer Michael Phelps and his bong. The darkness inside of us thrives on human train wrecks; it feeds on the demise of people that our world has made into little gods. We scream "hypocrite" every time we see good people go horribly wrong, as a way to justify our own bad behaviour.This is why Jehovah God needed to remove the scandal that hung around His own good name for thousands of... Read Full Story

I'm not sure what your experience has been, but I've bumped into more than a few Christians over the years who regularly express moral outrage at not only "the big issues" on the cultural landscape, but also at the little ones too. In fact, I have had a rather regular encounter with a fusspot I meet in the mirror every day. But I recently read something both simple and profound from a man who always scratches my itch and anoints it with the healing balm of compassionate wisdom. His n... Read Full Story

I'm starting to realize how out-of-the-loop I seem to be for "effective" pastoral ministry. Today I was loaned the promo for Willow Creek's 2009 Leadership Summit, and was stunned to discover that one of the headliners who will instruct God's people is going to be rock star and celebrated humanitarian Bono. But, hang on, it gets worse.As I read through the lineup I found names like David Gergen -- one of CNN's political talking heads; Gary Hamel -- the founder of ... Read Full Story

I'm 50 now, meaning that most of my earthly life is now behind me. Several events in the past little while have jarred me out of my lingering complacency about death. My wife of 28 years has spent 20 of those years suffering greatly, in and out of hospital. We patiently wait for the Lord to relieve her of her misery and take her home. Last year my father died. This month I have faced my own mortality as I await the results of a biopsy. This, and other creeping problems, remind me that I (... Read Full Story

When I was growing up my mom had a little plaque that hung on the wall behind her sewing table, which read: Only one life, 'twill soon be past; and only what's done for Christ will last. Those words of wisdom have stuck with me my whole life. Do we see the bigger picture? I mean, do we? Really? When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians he had the "big picture" firmly planted in his mind.If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, wh... Read Full Story

When my kids were growing up they enjoyed watching the movie OLIVER at their grandma's home. One of the most memorable moments in the movie is when Oliver works up the courage to approach the headmaster, who is feasting, and ask for more food. He wasn't happy with his provision; he wanted more.Most of us would think that's a fair desire, especially given his circumstances and the miserly way that the school handed out provisions. But it begs a question for me: Am I generally un... Read Full Story

Years ago a young man was stopped by the side of the road with the hood of his Model T Ford raised up, trying to figure out how to get it started again. While he was bent over the motor a limousine pulled up behind him, and out stepped a well-dressed man. "Can I help you with that?" the stranger asked. "Nah....I'm just tinkering around 'till I get it fixed. I think I can handle it, thanks."After watching the young man for a few minutes the stranger offered a cou... Read Full Story

Apparently everyone's reading The Shack. And after several requests from people in my congregation, I gave it an honest try myself. I really did. But I just couldn't get in to it. I tried, and I tried, but it just didn't grip me the way it seems to have gripped so many others.So, I gave it back to its owner, and looked up some summaries and synopses of the book. I've also read many reviews from several quarters -- most of them positive and affirming.But here's my que... Read Full Story

While I'm not one to gloat over the destruction of our enemies (the Bible forbids us to do that -- Proverbs 24:17,18), there's no question that this man had it coming.I was recently reading Psalm 7, and couldn't help but think of Saddam Hussein while I read it. Here's what verses 12-17 say; see if you can see God's justice on this man while you read it:If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;he has bent and readied his bow;he has prepared for him his deadly weap... Read Full Story