The Persistence of Memory
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. (Psalm 45:17 NIV) I have always had an extremely photographic and extensive memory. Quotes, details, numbers, and a vast array of seemingly random stuff have a way of sticking in my head, often without my trying. Naturally this has helped shape me into the deliberate and detail-oriented person I have become (and is one reason why I love trivia and following sports), and has proven to be a useful asset in my various research and accounting jobs. But my memory often works against me...
Read MoreSpreading the Word in Today’s World
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26 NIV) Quite often in recent years, when I have attended a major public event such as a Mariners game or a concert, I have seen or heard someone on the surrounding block outside attempting to bring people to Jesus. These individuals, usually with the aid of a megaphone and several large signs, speak of Jesus as the only path to salvation. It is practically impossible not to hear them, even if you are only driving past. They conjure up images of fire and end times, dramatically emphasizing that we must repent of...
Read MoreOn the Outside Looking In
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way. (Luke 19:1-4 NIV) Being rejected or left out is one of the worst feelings in the world. If you have to watch or even think about others getting to enjoy or experience something you want but cannot have, it can begin with the sting of nagging envy. This can be followed by a...
Read MoreIn Remembrance
I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3 NIV) Two and a half weeks ago, my grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of 106. He lived an amazing, full life, and has been a great inspiration to me. Given his remarkable age, my family was prepared for the event of his passing at any time, yet its occurrence still had a considerable emotional impact and leaves a big hole in my life. Without him, I feel silence where there was once a guiding and comforting voice. And there is no one else in my family I can talk baseball with. My grandfather, Isidore Starr—or Iz, as most...
Read MoreFinding True Peace and Rest
Daniel co-wrote this article with his wife, Nicole. The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) With my routine over the last few months, rest has extremely hard to come by. Between caring for a new baby and my job at the busiest time of the year, it seems I can barely catch my breath, let alone recover from one hectic day before the next one begins. Even when I have not had to wake up to give Isaac a bottle in the middle of the night, or I actually get two stretches of decent sleep, I still tend to feel exhausted during the week. My mind is...
Read MoreThe Bare Necessity
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV) “I just couldn’t live without…” I often overhear or even mutter that phrase myself, and it is usually completed not by something vital, but rather something that is a comfort, part of an established routine, or a means of relief from stress. I doubt that I am the first to admit that I tend to be so focused on my work, my personal life, and the American culture surrounding me that I do not nearly often enough...
Read MoreOut With the Old, In With the New
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17) In less than two months’ time, I will be starting a new chapter in my life — parenthood. With it will come a significant amount of responsibility that will require me to leave some elements of my life in the background, if not eliminate them altogether. Relaxation will become a rare luxury. I will have to spend considerable time caring for and bonding with my child, leaving much less alone time, which has been important to me throughout my life. I will need to keep a careful budget,...
Read MoreBreaking Down the Wall
Then He said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21b NIV) We are entering a season where faith will be sorely tested. The political climate is becoming more and more turbulent, and each day seems to bring actions by the new administration that could have unexpected or negative effects on us or those we love. Already badly divided by the recent election, our nation threatens to become even more so as President Trump tries to reshape policies. Amidst the news and protests and atmosphere of escalating tension, fear and hate, it is all too...
Read MoreAn Ongoing Campaign
Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. (Psalm 9:11 NIV) By the time you read this, the election season will finally be over, for which I will be very glad. Few things frustrate me more than modern day politics. We see and hear one negative attack ad after another, often with image manipulation and words taken out of context. The focus is more on turning voters away from the opposition than promoting a candidate’s own values. The candidates’ priority seems to have become looking good for the media and simply getting elected or re-elected,...
Read MoreThe Most Important Decision
“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 NIV) We are often told that “God is in control.” Even so, He created us with free will, and as such, the decisions we make affect the ways in which He directs us. Like everyone else, I am surrounded by decisions in my life, some significant, many others minor. My thought process is deliberate and usually slow to grind out, and often I agonize over simple choices and overthink the many options I am pondering. While God can shape and inspire us, it is up to us to make...
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