Make the Sun Run | Episode 169

Barry reads some poetry to remind us that time’s winged chariot is hurrying near, and we best make the most of what we have. Whether it’s acknowledging the importance of people who are living, people we have lost, or the people we are to become in our remaining time,...

Irrational Fear

The knowledge that we had no sharks in our back yard pool did nothing to relax the grip tightening around my spine as soon as the water enveloped my body. Nope. No night swims that summer. Not long ago, a similarly irrational fear—that there might be a large predator...

The Center

Dense vegetation lining the creek bed across the street from my home houses ants, rats, opossums, squirrels, racoons, hawks, owls, bees, and an uncatalogued menagerie of other species, all sallying into the neighborhood occasionally, just as the undergrowth itself...

Prayer Gets a Body | Episode 168

Barry explores a story in the Old Testament that reminds us of a glorious truth in the New Testament. In his peaceful comfort in Persia, Nehemiah begins with heartfelt intercession for the people in Jerusalem, and then moves to incarnation as he goes himself, and...

We Are the Echo

Near Terlingua, TX, cradling the Rio Grande, is a deep, narrow, rock-faced canyon: Santa Elena. Our kids suggested we visit it while celebrating our 41st anniversary with stays in the Texas desert and hill country. High waters from recent rains kept us from hiking up...

God’s Couch | Episode 167

Barry heads to Psalm 82 for a productive counseling session with God. Just as when we go to counseling to talk about all those people that are at fault, there is always that awkward moment in the session when the counselor (in this case, God) turns the focus to you,...

Jesus’ Job Description | Episode 166

Barry covers a narrative in Matthew 16 where Simon receives two names. The first one is quite wonderful—Peter. The second one… not so much. The connection between this confession and rejection is undeniable: to accept Christ’s identity means to embrace (and follow)...

Pathways

When possible I ride my bike to work, not on multi-lane highways, thoroughfares, and avenues, but on the trails provided by Dallas Parks and Recreation. Although often no more than narrow pavement over old railbeds, they provide a perfect path: flat stretches edging...

A Mouth-Full | Episode 165

While we think of worship as something going from us to God, it is also important because of how it moves between us, and how it prepares us to receive from Him. When we run out of thanks, He still has more to offer than we might find on our own.      ...

Change Is Coming

Routine is a powerful thing. After I graduated college, our family spent 11 years in a starter home. We sold it and moved about 5 miles away, where we lived the next 11 years. A little more than 5 years after we had moved into that second house, I found myself driving...