What do most immigrants to the United States want their children to do? Go to med school, of course! The idea has become such a stereotype, standup comics make millions telling jokes about it. But the stereotype is not untrue. Parents of every stripe, of every American ethnicity and culture have imagined their children asContinue reading “How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.”
Tag Archives: 1 Samuel 13:14
The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.
Every culture looks at outward traits. To be popular as a high school student requires one set of traits. To be popular in medical school requires a different set of traits. To fit in during US Navy SEAL training might require a third set of traits. But in every context, people respect the visible appearanceContinue reading “The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.”
WHAT IS TRULY HIGH PRAISE? Daniel 10:12-13.
What have been your favorite compliments? I recently wrote a list of favorites from my whole life—I came up with 37, including one or two from each of you! But several people in the Bible were praised by God—now THAT’S high praise! God called Abraham His friend, Genesis 18:17. He said Job spoke rightly ofContinue reading “WHAT IS TRULY HIGH PRAISE? Daniel 10:12-13.”
Layers.
Childhood emotions come in single syllables: mad, sad, glad. You laugh, cry, pout, fume. Adulthood is complicated. You feel pensive, ambivalent, bittersweet. Adult emotions have more layers than a wedding cake. David understood. This poet who killed giants, this warrior who was a music therapist, this military tactician who cuddled lambs—David understood complex emotions. ForContinue reading “Layers.”
Non-Toxic Masculinity.
American culture exalts a narrow view of manhood: you gotta be rugged, strong, and unemotional, like pickup trucks banging up and down mountains in TV commercials, chewing up boulders and spitting out gravel. But the ads are fake. If you treat your truck that way you will not only destroy the suspension, you may voidContinue reading “Non-Toxic Masculinity.”
Household Words: 