"Abandon hope all ye who enter here." So wrote Dante in the 14th century as he did his best to describe hell. I have found, at least in my personal experience, that Satan doesn't tempt me (often) to "recklessly run off a cliff" i.e. do something that I know would hurt or kill me. He's … Continue reading The Hell of the Mind
Month: December 2013
Merry Christmas, Jordan
Merry Christmas, Jordan - my baby, my son! This Christmas, we see Jesus in the image of Manger Scenes. But you - you. see. Jesus. This Christmas, we continue to see "as in a mirror darkly." But you - you see "face to face." This Christmas, we continue to "know in part." But you, my … Continue reading Merry Christmas, Jordan
Hope Floats
I love the movie, "Hope Floats." (1998; starring Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick, Jr.) Hope really does change things. Hope can immediately change a gray sky to blue. But, Hollywood didn't discover this truth. This truth is ancient, finding its life-giving power in an "old rugged cross" and an empty tomb. That said, I leave … Continue reading Hope Floats
The Pain of Christmas
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) For years (way before my son passed away), I’ve tried to remind people that special times of the year, like Christmas, are not only … Continue reading The Pain of Christmas
Where Is God When It Hurts?
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace in Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar asked, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?....But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” … Continue reading Where Is God When It Hurts?
Secret Santa
To the individual(s) who rang our doorbell at 10:30pm on Friday night and disappeared into the cold night leaving giant "santa sacks" full of gifts: only in heaven will you know how much joy you brought to the Watts home. First of all, I want you to know that when the doorbell rang it took … Continue reading Secret Santa
Massacre, Suicide & A Manger
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:10) This morning I stood before 200+ students at Evans Middle School in Lubbock and said, “The first Bible verse I ever learned was John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that … Continue reading Massacre, Suicide & A Manger
The Battle is the Lord’s
"Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." (Psalm 35:1 NIV) Just a reminder that, the very second we cry out to God about a conflict, the battle becomes HIS. Oh- and He WILL "open up a can." The enemy is hoping we'll keep trying to fight him … Continue reading The Battle is the Lord’s