Archives For Questions

 

 

Newtown

CNN just published a piece I wrote about the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Hop on over to join in the dialogue:

Why, God, why? Why do you allow the horror of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School?

Why do you allow the loss, pain, terror, heartache and death? Why do you allow evil to triumph and innocence to be stripped away? Is this kind of evil stoppable? And do we have some role to play?

In the wake of so many unanswered questions, what kinds of questions do we really need to be asking? Are you cajoling us to ask how we can prevent this from happening again? Is the answer found in gun regulations, better security or deeper changes in our own hearts and lives?

 

(Check out the rest on CNN, here)

*Original photo found here

 

handstand

I’ve always struggled with being a little different from everyone else. My story never seemed to sound like everyone else’s story. Let me give you an example.

Sometimes people will ask me, “Where do your parents live?”

Continue Reading…

stream

All too often the Why questions plague our beaten and battered hearts. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does life have to be so stressful? Why does God allow illness, murder, abuse? Why is the sky blue?

The list continues.

In The Organic God, I introduce my Jewish grandmother. One of my biggest Why questions has always been: Why did my Jewish grandmother never come to recognize Jesus as the Messiah?

Rather than give us the answers to all our Why questions, I’ve found that God simply gives us himself. He constantly invites us into further exploration of himself and his ways. He welcomes us into the wonder of himself: both invisible and unsearchable.

It’s almost as if God enjoys the mystery. He describes himself as the beginning and the end, yet he wraps both the story of creation and the story of his final coming in mystery. He offers glimpses, insights, and clues, but still veils many of the details in a shroud of the unknown.

While we may never receive the answers to our why questions, we can be assured that our questions are not too big or difficult for God. Instead he welcomes the tough questions with questions of his own. He shifts the Why to the Who-reminding us Who creates, molds, leads, guides, directs, and loves.

What tough Why questions do you have for God?

 

**Photo courtesy of here

friends

Friendship is one of the most incredible gifts God gives us.

I’m reminded of that whenever I get to spend an afternoon hiking with a dear friend, sitting on the couch chatting for hours, or hanging out and laughing until tears run down my cheeks.

Good friends expose us to new ideas and experiences.

Good friends love us as we are and love us enough not to leave us there.

Good friends make life sweeter, richer, and more delightful.

This week I’m working on the lesson in the (tentative title) Wonderstruck: Recapturing the Joy, Awe, & Marvel That Comes With Being a Child of God Bible study on the wonder of friendships. I’d love for you to weigh in on the following questions (you can pick and choose, mix n’ match):

What do you love most about your closest friends? When was the last time you told them what you love about them?

What one Bible passage has shaped the way you understand friendships the most?

What have you learned the hard way about becoming a better friend to others?

Can’t wait to hear your stories, ideas, and thoughts!

 

*Photo courtesy of here