Charis » calling

“Dude, what’s your problem?”

Dan — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:12:37 +0000

a2’s men’s group met this morning for the start of the spring semester. As we shared our dreams and goals for 2010, a recurring theme was calling: “I want to know what my purpose is”; “I don’t want to wonder what I’m supposed to do; I want to be certain”; “It’s time for me to [...]

William Wilberforce: the power of vision

Dan — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:15:32 +0000

I took Zachary to see Amazing Grace yesterday afternoon–wow! I was deeply moved, challenged, and encouraged. I had heard of Wilberforce through my studies of British literature, but I didn’t know much about him. It was exciting to see a man of faith and conviction portrayed as a hero–and he should be, because he did [...]

preparing for destiny: excellence

Dan — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:20:35 +0000

Last night over coffee, a group of us were talking about God’s plans for our lives and learning to wait while the plans unfold. The conversation turned to Joseph and Moses, who both knew God had called them to something great and yet waited a long time to see it come about. What did these [...]

journey to Jerusalem

Dan — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 18:00:11 +0000

from Lent and Easter Wisdom: In the passage for today, the Pope works from Mark 10:33, "We are going up to Jerusalem." He says, "This journey to Jerusalem...is the model for the Christian who is committed to following the Master on the way of the Cross." This prompted me to read Mark's account of Jesus' journey to his crucifixion. I hesitated to write "to his crucifixion," though Mark 10 is the third time that Jesus clearly predicts His death to the disciples. Yes, Jesus knew He was headed for death, and He knew that His death was necessary. My hesitation comes from the fact that Jesus didn't go to die, He went, in the words of John Paul, "to complete his redemptive mission."…

juggling for Jesus

Dan — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 02:53:34 +0000

We went to the Upward basketball celebration tonight; Isaac, our first-grader, played a team sport for the first time and loved it. He told me yesterday, after his last game (in which he made his first basket!), that he would play Upward basketball every year until he graduates from high school and goes to college to become a zoo keeper. Zack played Upward basketball and soccer several years ago, and Anna is looking forward to serving as a cheerleader when she is old enough.…

Dilbert: “work-life balance”

Dan — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 03:29:14 +0000

Today's Dilbert offers a wonderful picture of the struggle to find balance. Dogbert offers a list of 11 priorities and tells his seminar participants that they can do only 3; work and holidays are two, and they can choose the remaining one.

God’s work-rest rhythm

Dan — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 20:34:00 +0000

Benny Tabalujan makes a compelling argument for honoring the sabbath in "Re-discovering Sabbath" in the most recent issue of Regent Business Review. Tabalujan explains that sabbath is not so much about resting as reflecting:

God used the sabbath to look over, reflect upon, enjoy and celebrate the work he performed. It follows that if work is about results, then sabbath is about reflection; if work is preoccupied with mission, then sabbath delves into meaning.…

“consult not your fears”

Dan — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:41:44 +0000

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.--Pope John XXIII

a promise of significance

Dan — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 12:05:36 +0000

Yesterday, Creflo Dollar made reference to Isaiah 54:13, "All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace" (NIV). I read through the entire chapter today--several times--and I'm deeply moved. There are so many wonderful promises in this chapter:…

the familiarity of the cockpit

Dan — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 12:08:40 +0000

In Pursuing Your Life Dream, Eastman Curtis tells of a conversation he had with a trainer of fighter pilots in Vietnam. This trainer said that most of the pilots who were shot down could have escaped from their planes…