Monthly Archives: September 2025

On Being Awake in the Dark

My Real Memoir A year after I first met icon-in-the-making Keith Green, he released a song about religious complacency. Interestingly, its title “Asleep in the Light” was the mirror opposite of a phrase I’d used to describe my own spiritual … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Yes, Your Life Has a Purpose

Thought for the Week We are not the only creatures on earth who look up at the stars. But we are the only ones who look up and ask, “Why?” “Yes, your life has a purpose,” said Rhema. “What?” Gina … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Warning: Prayer Is Dangerous!

I asked God for advice, and he said, “OK. Change.” I replied, “No, no, there you go again misunderstanding my requests!” Warning: If you ask God for guidance, he’s going to tell you to change. This is why prayer is so … Continue reading

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Hurry Up Fall and Stick Around!

Photo by Johannes Plenio Do you call it Fall, from the old Germanic word fallan? Which literally means to “fall,” as in the temperatures or the leaves, or both. Or do you call it Autumn? A prettier-sounding word from the … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Skewed Humor for a Skewed World

Skewed (def) – Marked by a sudden, unexpected change in direction. Synonyms: lurching, asymmetrical, off-kilter. Our world has always been a little skewed. And no one captures that reality better than cartoonists. 2025 has been full of off-kilter events that … Continue reading

Posted in Culture | 34 Comments

Producing Pearls Late at Night

I’d been sleeping like a rock lately. Which is to say, badly. (Rocks can’t sleep.) And that night was no exception. Brain woke me up at 2 a.m. “Hey!” “Go back to sleep, Brain!” “I can’t. I’m feeling weird and … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Eight Ways to Avoid Actually Working

Christmas 2025? First, tell yourself, “I’m having deep thoughts here. True, there are things I need to do, but this is more important(ish). What I’m pondering right now could actually make the world a better(ish) place!” Here are some ponderables … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Humor, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The Public Debut of Me #2

Left to Right: Maranatha Concerts Live album, Keith Green, Greg Laurie, Sweet Comfort My Real Memoir Mark Twain didn’t say, “The two most important days of your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why.” … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

The Revolution to End All Revolutions

Thought for the Week “Love your enemies?” Outrageous! No one had ever dared propose such a thing before. It’s called grace, unmerited favor toward those who don’t deserve it (which is everyone, by the way). And it’s at the very … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Grace Is a Living Stream

Grace isn’t a private pond It’s a living stream and if it doesn’t keep moving into us and through us into others it stagnates It was never meant to be hoarded ≅

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments