The value of the myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by ‘the veil of familiarity’. The child enjoys his cold meat (otherwise dull to him) by pretending it is buffalo, just killed with his own bow and arrow. And the... Continue Reading →
There's a soft spot in my heart for Captain Jack Sparrow. Not because of his cheeky spirit or swashbuckling guyliner, but because he's who I am without Jesus. A friend says God's people have always behaved more like pirates than children. We invent ways to destroy, to rebel, to plunder, to make of this beautiful... Continue Reading →
Repentance: (n) to reorient away from sin and toward God; effective for kingdom entrance and daily maintenance of spiritual vitality Last January, God began working on me in the area of repentance. He gently pointed out that I had no idea what it was meant to be, how I was dismissing one of the greatest... Continue Reading →
(This post was originally published on the Baptist Convention of New England's blog on April 5, 2019. You can find it here.) There are many qualities about God's character I find deeply comforting: His omni-ness (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent), His justice, His mercy, His wisdom, His patience, His faithfulness. On and on it goes. These attributes... Continue Reading →
I passed the monster every morning for a year. And I'm not speaking metaphorically here—it was a massive red, hulking thing draped in a cloak, and it waited for me in the piano room when the house was asleep. I was a high school band kid, up before anyone else so I could get to... Continue Reading →
Homes are very much like people and take on a life of their own. As spring breaks through from the hardened earth of winter, our dwellings can shake off the gloom and echo the vibrant season on the other side of the windowpanes. April is a feast for the senses. Here are some simple ways... Continue Reading →
Wake up, you sleepyheads! Winter has departed, and April is upon us! Cast off your dark grave clothes—step full into the light. Of course there will be soggy days, but what are umbrellas for? Doesn't your heart beat stronger in the sunshine? Haven't you longed for some morning coffee on the porch, tracking new growth... Continue Reading →
A favorite fairy tale of my childhood was Toads and Diamonds. I probably missed the point of the story because I was so absorbed in the gorgeous illustrations. Of particular interest to me was the picture of the kind sister spilling jewels and flowers from her tongue (while I hurried past the page with frogs... Continue Reading →
They were feeling me out, poking to see what I was made of. Mischief sparkled in their eyes, and gentle teasing bounced toward me. This lunch was the first of many among new friends, and I felt a mighty push to impress. Gathering every ounce of wit available, I opened my mouth. My young heart... Continue Reading →
"Though [death] come, God came first and in Christ has walked through it before us and walks through it with us. The good Shepherd who daily bears our burdens bears this burden as well: He carries us through death and into life." (Kimberlee Conway Ireton) Our culture is terrified of death, so we pump ludicrous... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 