We eat lest we die. Hunger is a powerful and persistent reminder that we are not God. We are not all-sufficient. We need food in order to live and stay alive. Food is not a reward in Scripture. Food is grace. In this world, food is often a reward for doing something good. We rewardContinue reading “Manna or Maggots”
Category Archives: Health
Somebody Stop Me
I laughed my way through Judith Viorst’s How Did I Get to Be Forty and Other Atrocities. I’ve long since passed the half-century mark, so it seemed reasonable that I should at least face the music of being forty. Even though I must admit I feel more like thirty . . . until I thinkContinue reading “Somebody Stop Me”
The Dreaded Eyebrow 11
As it turns out, Dolly’s line in Steel Magnolias was both a maxim and a promise: Time has continued to march on, and it’s digging its boots in my face as it passes by. I have already developed the first “1” of the dreaded eyebrow “11.” It’s a noticeable crease, about an inch long. IContinue reading “The Dreaded Eyebrow 11”
The Psalmist and Depression
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad” (NKJV). While there are different causes for depression, Solomon identifies an important one, anxiety. “Anxiety weighs down the heart” (NIV). Proverbs 12 teaches the differences between wisdom and foolishness and goodness and evil in a series ofContinue reading “The Psalmist and Depression”
Has Everything We Know About Depression Changed?
The pastor seemed uncertain. He might normally talk with the discouraged congregant about spiritual endurance or encourage him with a psalm, but today he was relatively silent. He was compassionate but offered no hopeful connections to Christ’s redeeming work or the Savior’s present help. Why? This pastor was concerned that any spiritual encouragement he gaveContinue reading “Has Everything We Know About Depression Changed?”
Chipping Away at Your Peace
A number of years ago I read that, believe it or not, the average American is exposed to about three hundred advertisements a day. Today that number has very likely increased! The magazine in which I read that fact had more pages dedicated to advertisements than articles of interest to the reader. Shiny, slick, appealingContinue reading “Chipping Away at Your Peace”
The Price of Contact Sports
“If I’d only known that what I loved the most would end up killing me and taking away everything I loved, I would have never done it.” These were among the last words spoken to Cyndy Feasel by her late husband, Grant Feasel. He was talking about playing professional football. Unless you’re a longtime SeattleContinue reading “The Price of Contact Sports”
Why Is Childbirth so Painful?
A woman’s pain in childbirth is part of the suffering brought into the world through sin. As a direct result of the original sin, Adam, Eve, and the serpent were all cursed in one way or another. Genesis 3:16 lists one of the judgments for Eve’s sin as pain in childbirth: “I will make yourContinue reading “Why Is Childbirth so Painful?”
How Does God Feel About My Happiness?
A Passion for Holiness “God cares more about your holiness than your happiness.” For years I preached this to myself or doled out some iteration of it as advice to others. After all, serious disciples take the call to holiness seriously. And, of course, we should. It was God who said, “You must be holy,Continue reading “How Does God Feel About My Happiness?”
It Is God Sole Prerogative
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed. Jeremiah 17:14 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him. Isaiah 57:18 It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease. Natural disease may be instrumentally healed by men, but even then the honor is to be given to God who grantsContinue reading “It Is God Sole Prerogative”
Intentional Faith 