A Sabbath Meditation: On Creativity and Glory

There is right now within me, on this Sabbath afternoon, a desire to write. To put thoughts on paper. I'm not sure why, exactly, but there is something mysteriously pleasurable about the experience of writing. I am drawn to it, inexplicably, even though I have no preconceived idea of what, exactly, I will write about....

Dallin and Megan’s Ring Ceremony

[This is the text of the message I wrote when I had the honor of presiding at the wedding of my friend Dallin in the summer of 2019.] Wow, the moment has finally come! And you two look amazing -- Megan, you are the vision of loveliness, and Dallin -- you lookin’ dapper, man! I...

Tidings: A Shepherd’s Testimony

[This is a one-person, one-act play I wrote to celebrate Christmas a few years ago. I performed it in costume at our city's Men's Shelter. I had hoped to perform it again last Christmas at some retirement homes in our area, but Covid prevented that. (So I recorded it for my podcast instead.)] Everybody’s got...

The First Letter from Peter (Chapter 2)

[This is chapter two of my own personal translation of the book of 1 Peter. Inspired by the work of Eugene Peterson (author of "The Message"), I decided to brush off my college training in Koine Greek and produce my own contemporary idiomatic rendition of Scripture. It turned out to be far more difficult than...

The First Letter from Peter (Chapter 1)

[This is first chapter of my own personal translation of the book of 1 Peter. Inspired by the work of Eugene Peterson (author of "The Message"), I decided to brush off my college training in Koine Greek and produce my own contemporary idiomatic rendition of Scripture. My goal was to be as faithful to the...

Paint-By-Numbers

The child stepped into the artist’s workshop. Surveying the room, he was struck with the beauty that surrounded him. Paintings on canvases were strewn about on walls and tables. Some were half-finished, and some consisted of little more than just a few simple brush strokes, Others, however, were massive: giant vistas and murals extending from...

Birds of a Feather

The birds all gathered at church one fine Sunday morning. They sat on straight rows and lifted their beaks in worshipful praise. When it came time for the sermon, Pastor Plummage stood before them and delivered a splendid message. He praised the Lord for all His bountiful gifts. He reminded his congregation of all the...

A Foggy Battle

When I learned that my dear friend Thaine had begun a website devoted to the stories of God's faithfulness in his life, I was truly delighted. I have read these stories, and I can bear witness to the profound impact they have had on my life. I consider it one of the greatest privileges in...

1 Peter 1:22-25: A Devotional Commentary

Lord, every time we get a glimpse of You, our hearts are moved with a deep and unshakable feeling that there is more to this Christian life than we have yet tasted. So, if we hear You today calling us up to the next plateau, give us the boldness and courage to climb with all...