Category: Forward Day By Day
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Secondhand Faith or Firsthand Experience?
John 4:42. “[The Samaritans] said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.’” There’s a difference between listening to someone describe a sunset and seeing the colors for yourself, between Read more
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Leaving It All Behind
Every journey whether physical, emotional, or spiritual begins with leaving something behind. Maybe the reason we feel like we never get anywhere new in life is because we are unwilling to leave anything, much less everything, behind. Read more
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Displaying the Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 11:18. “You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead.” I’m not interested in joining the debates on the public display of the Ten Commandments, prayer in public schools, or “keeping Read more
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A Positive Decrease
John 3:29b-30. “For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” I wonder what John the Baptist’s disciples are thinking when they hear him talk about becoming less. Their numbers are decreasing, and Jesus’ group of disciples are increasing. I can imagine them thinking, “And what are you going Read more
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Resting as a Spiritual Practice
Hebrews 4:9-10. “So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.” I have come to the conclusion that I don’t rest well. I occasionally take breaks during the day, and I sleep well at night, but Read more
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The Luminous Darkness
Though uncomfortable and disorienting, this darkness is not bad, in fact, it may even be womblike. This darkness is not the end of faith but holds the dawn of a new kind of faith. Read more
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Humanizing the Temple of our Lives
Jesus can see that the temple is filled with animals and moneychangers but is empty of life and soul. Jesus is driving out forgetfulness from our hearts—vivifying, ensouling, and humanizing the temple inside you and me. Read more
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When the Wine Gives Out
A day comes when the wine gives out. Our glasses will be empty; the party will be over. Life will seem empty and dry—no vibrancy or vitality, nothing growing or fermenting within us. Read more
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What If Temptation is Necessary?
What if temptation is necessary? What if temptation can be our teacher or a diagnosis? What tempts you? What tempts you into living less than who you really are? Read more
Interrupting the Silence 