My single New Year’s resolution is to put to death my desire for happiness.  I want to treat it for what it is – a counterfeit version of the real life God intends for me. Far too many of my decisions in 2012 were motivated by the pursuit of avenues that promised to make me ‘happy’. In retrospect I can conclude that they all ended with a shallow experience followed by a sense that .

After a particularly hard and frustrating day I will lay in bed and ask of God, “Is this really the kind of life you created me to live?”  Of course, I know the answer. I can go back through my day and hear the Spirit say quietly to me, “Remember that email that caused you so much anxiety?  I have told you to ‘be anxious for nothing’. Is there some part of ‘nothing’ you .

While studying in Scotland I was introduced to the theology and poetry of Studdert Kennedy. Kennedy was an Anglican priest and poet who served as a chaplain in World War I.  He witnessed some of the most gruesome horrors of war as he ministered in the trenches on the Western Front. He was commended for his bravery for running into ‘no man’s land’ to rescue wounded soldiers.  He wrestled with the overwhelming nature of human .

In this brief blog I use the term ‘Newtown’s child’ to refer to all of the loss we suffered in Newtown, Connecticut one week ago today. I’ve heard people say that the tragedy of Newton’s child was made all the worse because these children died so near Christmas. I disagree. The hope, the peace and the comfort for the families of Newtown’s child are embodied in the coming of Bethlehem’s child. To every child .

It is not just our government that is heading for a fiscal cliff.  When it comes to money we all stand on the precipice in one form or another.  And our rescuer, the salvation of our national and personal plight is right in front of us. Consider this.  Today millions of Americans will risk their marriage and sacrifice their family to accumulate more money believing it will bring them the security and happiness they .

Soul care is as much a matter of the mind as it is a matter of the heart.  Nothing gains access to our hearts before first being given entrance through our minds.  Fear, anxiety, despair, anger, bitterness, jealousy, and hate all start in our minds and find their ways to our hearts.  There they take hold and are incredibly difficult to root out. Think of your mind as a large house.  Negative and destructive .

Imagine the following scene.  You take your car into a repair shop because it is not running well.  After a thorough check your mechanic tells you that your engine is damaged and will need a complete overhaul, which will be expensive and take a great deal of time.  You respond by suggesting that perhaps if you clean the windows, put more air in the tires and hang an air freshener on the rearview mirror, .

Last Saturday I enjoyed one of my favorite events of the year; the annual Christmas tree hunt.  We are fortunate to have a great tree farm about 30 minutes away.  The owners go all out to make it a family experience, including rides in a hay truck out to the trees, crackling fires in barrels to keep you warm, and a complimentary glass of hot cider when the hunt is over.  The final treat .

I just took a long walk on a crisp autumn morning and thought through all of the blessings in my life.  I ran out of walk before I ran out of thanks.  For many of us, giving thanks this week will be as easy as having a second piece of pumpkin pie.  Giving thanks is an act of supreme worship, and when life is good the gratitude trips off our tongue with joyful ease. .