Imprints on the Soul Considering the vast, human emotional map, that makes up the content of our souls, we know there are deep-seated beliefs, and values, stored in our brains, that influence our lives in a significant way. Imprints on the soul, especially in the younger years, have an entrenched…

Dark Night The "dark night of the soul" is a term made popular by St. John of the Cross, in the 1500"s. It is used to describe a spiritual crisis in the journey toward union with God. I recently read a book on this topic, written by Christian psychiatrist Gerald…

Long Obedience in the Same Direction It's the title of a book that I'm just finishing up. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson. Many of you know him as the author of The Message Bible. Peterson presents a solid exegesis of…

An Attractive Gospel If you are a follower of Christ, what first made the gospel attractive to you? I've heard it said that desperation and revelation are two primary forces that draw a person to God. In my case, it was desperation. My life as a twenty one year old…

A Love That Never Dies Something that will never die is imperishable; not liable to corruption. As I was concluding my reading of Ephesians this week, I was struck by the last verse: "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." Eph. 6:24 (emphasis mine)…