by Ed Gungor
The Power Of Small
Sometimes small is a better fit than BIG. Years ago, when my daughter Elisabeth was little, I was cleaning out a car I was trading in. As I checked under the driver’s seat for any leftover treasure, I noticed a music tape nestled deep underneath. I got on my knees and started reaching for the…
The Sovereignty Question: Does God Control Everything?
by Ed Gungor There are many who believe that whatever is destined to be, will be. They think that humans have nothing to do with the future; that is God’s sphere. Things only happen, these folks contend,because of God’s sovereignty, and human beings don’t really cause anything to happen that God wouldn’t have done anyway.…
The Gift of Pain
Whenever I get a persistent ache or pain, I go to my doctor. When I tell him where I hurt, he diagnoses what’s going on and recommends a course of action. My pain revealed that there was trouble going on in my body—it was my signal to get some help. In that sense it was…
When God Stops by
I confess: I don’t always go to church. Like today, the morning after a jam-packed Lindy Hop weekend with lots of fun, friends, and busyness. Not only is my body tired and achy, but my soul wants quiet…peace. And sometimes that is found at home…alone. So when I awoke this morning, I tended to my…
Do Aliens Exist?
Sadly, God’s people have a history of trying to straddle the fence between the kingdom of God and the world around us—we long to fit in and belong. Though it was forbidden, the ancient Israelites even paid tribute to the pagan gods to open the door for trade and political power. They didn’t want to…
Do I Really Have to Fit In?
“Fitting in is killing me,” Halley wailed. It was obvious she was frustrated. Halley was a twenty-something, single registered nurse who had given her life to Christ during her college years. She was smart, well spoken, and stylish. “What do you mean by ‘fitting in’?” I asked, certain that I knew exactly what she meant.…
Being Great for God
When we think about being “great” for God, most think about participating in great programs and projects while greatly utilizing our talents, abilities and natural strengths. We think of doing. But I don’t think that’s right. It seems to me WHO we are as individuals is of greater importance than WHAT we try to do.…
Getting Picked Last
by Ed Gungor When I was a kid, I had a pretty stiff case of childhood asthma. I couldn’t run much, and because my dad was a Turkish immigrant and never played baseball or football, he never coached me to hone my skills in those regards (they still remain latent to this day). Consequently, I…
The Ache in Our Souls
The psalmist claimed that we live “in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psa. 63:1). I think he was simply saying that we humans need more than this world has to offer—that we all long for something beyond this place (which means nothing on this planet can satisfy our hopes and…
There is NO Easy Button
Christianity is much more than simply believing in Jesus; it’s following him. We need to make that distinction because our culture is voyeuristic – we like to watch things…and that’s it. People in our culture don’t mind looking at Jesus, but few are actually willing to follow him. Following is much harder. Following Jesus is…