The Boat In the Backyard
Sometimes the most ordinary things become vessels for God’s deepest lessons. For Michael Spencer, a small aluminum fishing boat sitting in his family’s backyard became a lasting symbol of his father’s love, his own childhood resentment, and dreams that were never fulfilled. As a boy, Spencer couldn’t understand why his father was so different from other fathers. Only years later, through the eyes of faith and maturity, would he begin to see the depression, fear, and brokenness that had shaped his father’s life, and the love that had been present even when his father could not express it.
“The Boat in the Backyard” is ultimately more than a story about depression or a complicated father-son relationship. It is a story about living in a broken world and discovering that God’s grace meets us in the places where life has left wounds . . .
Where Is the Lamb?
One of the most challenging stories in Scripture is in Genesis 22 when God asks Abraham, known in the Bible as the “father of faith”, to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah where centuries later King Solomon’s Temple was built. It’s a jarring story that raises uncomfortable questions: Why would God ask this of Abraham? What was God’s purpose in doing so? And what does God want us to learn about Him from this biblical account?
A few years ago I happened to come across a song titled, Where is the Lamb?, by Wendy Francisco. The first time I heard it I was I was literally brought to my knees and to this day it still moves me to tears. This song helped make clearer God’s purpose in testing Abraham’s faith . . .
The Power of Forgiveness
What does forgiveness entail? Why is it necessary? Why is it so difficult to forgive others and forgive ourselves? What does the Bible say about our responsibility when we have wronged someone or have been wronged? Does forgiveness always lead to reconciliation with God and with others? Does forgiveness eliminate the consequences of poor choices we have made? . . .
A Christmas Memory
Many years ago during one Advent season, I discovered an old book in my parent’s home titled “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote. I often searched my parents’ book shelves as my mother was an avid collector of old books. To her every one was a treasure. This particular book was a thin, plain, cheaply made book, published in 1956 with the picture above glued to the book cover . . .