Four Gifts Christians Can Give to the World
November 30, 2020There’s a stew of emotions simmering in many of us as we launch the Christmas season of 2020. Thanksgiving already shaped up to be unique for most folks. We aren’t certain what Christmas will look like without some of the normal routines and traditions we’ve known in past years. All the societal uncertainties we are all currently facing, jumble our heads and hearts. Added to that are individualized losses and sorrows we’ve each experienced this last 12 months. Altogether, the cumulative effect is turning some folks into Grinches. I’ve felt a bit green and sour a few times myself these…
Comfort and Encouragement for 2020’s Turbulent Waters
The Modern Pilgrim- The Final Chapter- In which Pilgrim rejoins the Good Shepherd and the faithful pilgrims on top of Joy Mountain. There, she discovers that some travelers have gone on to the Celestial City beyond the mountains, to live…
How to Build Bridges Instead of Walls- Reconnecting Divided Christians
The Modern Pilgrim #38- in which Pilgrim leaves travelers led astray by Pride. The sound of their angry arguments fades as she hikes alone towards the Good Shepherd and the rest of the pilgrims. She sees them, at a great…
What Happens When Christians Are as Divided as The World
The Modern Pilgrim #37- In which Pilgrim finds herself at odds with fellow travelers. She becomes tangled in debates about who the Good Shepherd promotes into leadership positions. A group of travelers, including our Pilgrim, begin to argue their ideas.…
Courage to Live in the Emerging, New World
The Modern Pilgrim # 36- Pilgrim is delighted that she and the other travelers made it over the treacherous mountains into the valley that the Good Shepherd promised was on the other side. Their laughter and joy fade away though…
Courage to Step up and Into God’s New Things
The Modern Pilgrim #35- The Good Shepherd leads the pilgrims to the foot of what looks like an impassable mountain. Rocky outcroppings are everywhere with pathways nowhere to be seen. Only a little way up, the mountain is covered in…
Intimacy with God Reveals Secrets for Reaching the Lost
The Modern Pilgrim #34-Pilgrim persuades her sister to join the Good Shepherd’s journey. On their way to meet up with the other pilgrims, a group of friends from their village, confront the two sisters on the road out of town.…
Love is Stronger Than Argument- Romance Your Unsaved Family To Christ
Modern Pilgrim #33- The Good Shepherd sends all his pilgrims back to their homes for a furlough. The hope is that each one will be able to encourage more of their family members to join them on the journey with…
Faith Muscles- Going Through Trials with Grace
Modern Pilgrim #32- Pilgrim doesn’t realize that all the fear she feels about her journey is coming out of her in the form of impatience, complaining and an unpleasant tone of voice. When the Good Shepherd privately corrects her, she…
How to Grow Faith that Overcomes Obstacles
The Modern Pilgrim #31- After much wandering, separated from the Good Shepherd’s group, Pilgrim is delighted to have found them again. Just as she settles back into her place, the Good Shepherd leads them that evening to the banks of…
When the Church Chooses Friendship with the World Over God.
So which movie or rock star did you crush on as a teen? Posters of David Cassidy and The Monkees gazed down on me from my bedroom walls during my teen years. I never missed a TV show or televised…