God is the ground of being, being-itself; who concerns us ultimately. Thus, God is our ultimate concern. — Paul Tillich I’ll be honest with you and say that on a weekly if not daily basis, I find myself wondering what good I am doing as a pastor. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what I do or the people with … More Being With God
Years ago a friend told me that he was sad because he didn’t know his life’s purpose. For some reason, I had never thought about that concept before. And so, because I didn’t know how to take what he was saying seriously, I insensitively reacted with laughter. This upset him, which only made me laugh … More Transforming Purpose
I remember when I first received the email. I was sitting in my cubicle—a place that didn’t reflect my inner life. I don’t remember who the email was from. But, it was one of those inspirational emails that starts off lifting your spirits and then lets you down by saying that you have to send … More Powerful Beyond Measure – Part 1
If the nations of this world all die eventually, I imagine the official cause of death would be from complications due to the identity struggles of their citizenry. I get no pleasure out of making that statement, but I cannot ignore that, as far as I can tell, the divided world seems to be in … More Developing A Sense of True Identity
Recently I’ve been thinking about a conversation I had about 14 years ago with a friend who is very well off financially. One day he just came out and told me that if I would just do what he did he could ensure that I too would be as wealthy as him in a few … More What Do We Truly Desire?
If necessity is the mother of invention then accidents/mistakes are the really sweet step-mother. You never asked for her, but she can come in and cause something to emerge from you that you didn’t even know was present. To make my point, I will highlight just a few inventions that were created by mistake in … More Accidental Vision
Recently I did a life review while floating in the ocean on a beach in Waikiki. I always do this, because as I am floating, the thought usually crosses my mind, “What if a shark just comes out of nowhere and eats me whole right now? What will my life have been about?” That might … More Prepackaged Moods on Life’s Meaning
I am beginning this post with the question in my mind, “What is the most liberating message that I could convey to readers at this moment?” I’m asking this, because I want to make a positive contribution to some of what I am witnessing with people right now. When I asked the question to myself, … More According to the World’s Rules
Who in life knows what is to come? Even when walking a path blazed by others who have come before you, there you might find unexpected obstacles. Surrounded on every side, though you remain on the path, the surrounding forest can be a hiding place for would be attacker or a temptation to explore. Who … More Lead Me Down the Path
Fear and God. For a long time those two words seemed not to go together for me. After all, in the book of 1 John we are told “God is Love” and despite how we tend to think of hate as love’s opposite, anyone who has ever loved knows that is inaccurate. Fear is actually … More The Privilege of Fearing God
