The Perfect Gift

This week's moment comes from Sheila, as will be obvious.

Our family draws names for Christmas every year (only 87 shopping days left). Then we try to figure out the best $30 gift we can buy—hopefully one that will be just right for the intended person. No socks, ties, or fruit cakes allowed!

When we open our gifts, we, of course, want to know who they are from. We take turns unwrapping so we can enjoy each other’s gifts. After all, Christmas is certainly not a time to be focused on ourselves.

The Sunny Side

After the Cohen brothers’ cult classic, “O Brother Where Art Thou,” was released in the year 2000, my wife and I quickly became fans of the music sound track released with the film. More broadly, we found ourselves becoming bluegrass enthusiasts and passed that CD on to my parents.

It was not long before we heard back from my mother that she was playing it nearly every day and had a special fondness for the Carter family song, sung on the album by the Whites, called “Keep on the Sunny Side.”

Mom's Mind

Since this is the first "Moment" you have received in a while you might like an explanation. From time to time over the last few years we have missed a few weeks that were unannounced, so when an out-of-town trip at the beginning of August made it difficult to get something out, it did not seem to be a problem.

Rock of Ages

In the great majority of films depicting church services of the past one or two hundred years, I have noticed that the song of choice is usually “Rock of Ages.” It has a decidedly old-fashion sound to it, seems to communicate some nostalgic irrelevancy, and I suspect you seldom hear it in contemporary churches.

However, the idea of God being our rock is a biblical message particularly found in the Psalms. There are many references like this one:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed?

Today I am reposting an article from a number of years ago. It received a lot of comment at the time. It resonated with me this morning and I thought, "I need this."

Some time ago a person seeking help shared with me feelings he routinely has when under stress. As needs pile up, he usually feels overwhelmed and almost paralyzed by thoughts that there is no way he can handle all that is on his plate. He is a hard-working, industrious person who cares for a lot of people, but inside, in those moments, there is a strong desire to run away and avoid the pressure.

Finish Line Faith

For many years Randy McKean advocated for a publishing ministry I led in Boston. I will always appreciate his support. Now he has written his own inspiring book titled Radical Faith.

One of his chapters is on “Finish Line Faith” and he points out that biblical faith is faith that finishes. Of course, we must have beginnings and often we only have beginnings because of faith. It takes faith to launch into new waters.

Control Tower

My long-time friend Gordon Ferguson has just released a new edition of his book, The Power of Spiritual Thinking, in which he has an added several new chapters. One of those deals with “doubting your doubts,” and in it I was struck by this quote: