I wish we could have conversations about who will get our vote.

What I mean is that I wish a table full of friends who are voting for different candidates could enjoy a meal and some nice wine and share their views without anything but creative tension in the room.

In the United States, our republic functions best when people can do just that. Enjoy listening and sharing opposing views. Enjoy? Yes, because when we are curious, open-minded, and secure in ourselves we can listen and take in different points of view with an appetite for growth. We can affirm and thank those who have a different point of view for helping us become more aware, more in touch with humanity, and more well-rounded. All of which makes us better citizens, neighbors, and servants. And, all of which makes us better Christians (if that’s what we are).

I want to share my vote with you–not as a challenge or a...

Magic. Romance. Wonder.

Ever ask God for any of this? You’ll find these words over and over again in my prayer journal.

Money. Safety. Stuff.

Ever ask God for any of these? You’ll find these words in my prayer journal, too.

Funny (and wrongheaded):

Since when does God give magic by giving money?

Since when does God give romance by giving safety?

Since when does God give wonder by giving more stuff?

God knows: We can’t buy our way into the sacred.

All those safeguards we rig up to insure ourselves against loss may only insure us against anything really worth gaining.

God can do almost anything.

But even God cannot give us cake that we can have and eat, too.

We have to make up our minds what we want from God:

Safety?

Or magic?

Anxiousness bordering on panic.

Cold sweat.

Shaking fits.

The addict may experience these symptoms when going through withdrawal.

Especially when the addiction is the addiction to being liked.

A couple of years ago, I set out to follow Tony Dungy’s rule: “No excuses, no explanations.”

It was then that I recognized how frequently–even in the course of a day–I was excusing and explaining myself: Why I couldn’t do a favor. Why I couldn’t make a meeting. Why I was running late. Why I couldn’t take on a new responsibility.

It quickly became clear to me why I excuse and explain so much:

I want to be liked.

In fact: I’m addicted to being liked.

The other day, one of the ministers at our church sent me a text to ask if I got his email. I already knew the answer the moment I saw his text: Yes. In fact, I saw his email arrive in my inbox nine days prior. And I knew the reason for his...

This post is for you if you are an achiever personality, have ADHD, are prone to addictive or compulsive behaviors, or suffer any kind of phobia that keeps you from doing or enjoying activities that most people take for granted.

You’re not alone here. All of the above apply to me, too.

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in a public place or in public view with no way of escape. I experienced my first attack in December 1994. I was an 18-year old college freshman. While visiting a local church, I was seized with panic for no reason. I couldn’t breathe. My heart stampeded. My skin crawled. My head swooned. I felt like I was about to die. I fled the church in the middle of service. Every eye seemed to stare as I made a mad dash to the door. Alone, outside, I finally calmed down. It was the first day of my new normal.

Over the next few months, I became so afraid of another attack that my...

Playing with my son and his toys (real) is better than the elaborate family outing to a kid-friendly destination (ideal)–because that elaborate family outing isn’t going to happen (anytime soon).

Eating popcorn and watching ‘Modern Family’ reruns with my wife every Tuesday night (real) is better than an expensive evening out at a Broadway show and trendy restaurant (ideal)–because that expensive evening only comes once or twice a year.

Pizza and plenty of laughs with old friends (real) is better than the five-course gourmet dinner party I’d like to throw for people I want to impress (ideal)–because that dinner party is unlikely to happen.

Going for a long walk each day (real) is better than training for an Iron Man Triathlon (ideal)–because, well…you know.

Reading a couple of chapters from the Gospels alone in the car before work (real) is better than the in-depth scholarly...

I’m not going to get much done today.

That is, if you mean emails and phone calls and project work. The kinds of to-do lists professionals make for each day.

My three-year old has a very bad head cold and a cough so bad he threw up his Frosted Mini Wheats. I’m home with him today. He’ll play with his toys and watch TV. He may even take a nap. When he does, I’ll squeeze in “work” where I can.

I’m not going to get much done today.

And yet…what I do today will go down as one of the great accomplishments of my life.

In 20 or 30 years, neither my son nor I will remember emails and phone calls. We won’t remember the “work” that didn’t get done today.

But we will remember the day we got to hang out at home together. I’ll treasure the memory of my son when he was just three. If he can even remember this day, he’ll recall when his daddy stayed home from “work” to rub his back and wipe...

It means you’re worthy of testing.

Or you’re ready for growth like you never imagined possible.

Even if you don’t believe God has anything to do with it (maybe he doesn’t), you can still choose what you believe about a losing streak.

Believe that it is an opportunity to be the best you can be in the face of the worst that can come at you. You cannot control circumstances or people. Sometimes you cannot control your own body and its impulses.

But when the hits keep coming–from within or without–do this: Breathe. Give thanks. Stand as straight as you can. And hit back with all the love you’ve got.

This is your time for glory.

There is only one.

Everyone goes to hell.

The people who go to heaven are the ones with the faith to keep going as many times as they go through hell.

As you go through life, no single person will disappoint, disgust, frustrate, and shock you more than…you.

In fact, the feelings of disappointment, disgust, frustration, and horror are ten times worse because you should be able to control yourself, right?

How could you be so [sinful/stupid/weak] that you can’t do the right thing or not do the wrong thing? Again and again and again?

Surely, nobody else (except for the people in mugshots on the 6 o'clock news) is as [sinful/stupid/weak] as you are.

You must be the only one who screws up this much in this way.

If people only knew the truth about you. Someday they will. Someday it will be your mugshot on the 6 o'clock news.

You’re going to blow it. Lose everything. And you can’t do a thing to stop it because you’re so specially [sinful/stupid/weak].

So eat that pint of ice cream, fatso. Light up another cigarette (you know you...

Hypothesis: Faith is found in tension.

The tension between:

Discipline and mercy.

A familiar and personal Parent and a holy and mysterious God.

Giddy generosity and saving for a rainy day.

Making art and making a living.

Asking God boldly and saying: “Thy will be done.”

Walking on water and climbing into the life boat God sends you.

Believing in eternal life and living every day as if it is the last.