The Invitation of a Lifetime

Dealing with Death

Brian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:40:34 +0000

Many of my favorite authors say that they write what they need to read. Philip Yancey is especially fond of talking of his writing as a wandering journey of faith, where he is wrestling with and trying to hammer out his understanding of some aspect of life. He deals with grace and disappointment [...]

The Gift of Beauty

Brian — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:36:53 +0000

Fall has come to the Midwest. I mean Fall. The things we fondly think of when we dream of the hot, dry days of summer transitioning over to the cool, colorful, lively shorter days of autumn: holiday plans, folks carving pumpkins and making hot apple cider, talk of what the winter might hold [...]

Apprentice Training

Brian — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:47:11 +0000

When we moved into our home a few years ago, we turned one of the spare bedrooms into an office. Bookshelves line the far wall of the room, and sandwiched between two of them, right in the middle of the wall, sits a large desk. It’s a simple one, with only a flat writing surface [...]

A Daring Reach

Brian — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:20:21 +0000

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” -John 20:27 In moments of duress we respond with either “fight or flight.” How many times have we heard that adage? It’s become so commonplace, we often take for granted that [...]

Return of the King’s

Brian — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:54:50 +0000

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” -Matthew 8:21-22 Being in grad school can be pretty demanding, as can any number of things we engage in with our lives — marriage and kids, ministry, jobs, a [...]

On Methods and Mystery

Brian — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:44:43 +0000

Recently I was counseling a young lady who by external standards had everything in life figured out. On her way to getting her Master’s degree, she has been sought out by a prestigious company offering her a nice bonus for signing on with them. She was dating a star athlete at her college. And she [...]

An Enemy Among Us

Brian — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:28:33 +0000

I realize lately that when I write, I am consistently harping on the reality of busyness and its role in our lives. This blog is as much journal as anything, a locale I come to occasionally to offer what’s on my heart and mind, and this topic is apparently a consistently weighty one for me. In [...]

Restless for Rest

Brian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:53:19 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything, though I had intention to continue some thoughts on the Christmas theme I began some time ago. I actually had a lot of ideas of what this Christmas season would bring, what I wanted to do. (Hiking and writing were among the top, as was spending lots and [...]

How Far Will He Go?

Brian — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:27:05 +0000

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. -King David to the Lord God How far will the Lord go to have us? The King James translation of the Scripture quoted above uses the word “hell” for “depths,” an accurate translation [...]

Toward the Deep

Brian — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:28:14 +0000

The fishermen know the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangerous sufficient reason to remain ashore. -Vincent van Gogh It is a part of my make-up that I am compelled toward the deeper places, to delve into the inner-world of things. I was that way even as a kid. While [...]