For almost 4 years I had the privilege & challenge of writing a weekly editorial for The Lookout, a Christian living & devotional magazine. As I ended my tenure there, the timing fell on a series we developed about Jesus' encounters with people and what we can learn from his actions and words. I enjoyed writing these last editorials. I hope you enjoy reading them. Others in this series: round 1, round 2, and round 3.

At the time I write this, tomorrow I get to see Hamilton: An American Musical with a friend and my daughter. Soon the culmination of months of anticipation will be in our grasp—and then it will be over. That’s the way life is. In the Hamilton song “One Last Time,” George Washington tells his mentee, Alexander Hamilton, that he’s stepping down as president. Though people tried to convince him to stay, he knew it was time to say goodbye and let someone else lead.

The song is running through my head because I’m writing my own goodbye. It’s time for me to step away as editor of The Lookout—time for someone else to lead.

I say goodbye to amazing coworkers, dear writers, and faithful readers such as yourself. I don’t know your face, but I know we are connected in Christ. I walk away with joy and gratitude for all The Lookout has taught me—for the words I’ve edited that have seeped into my soul, for the chance to partake in a ministry of words about God’s Word in the hopes that others would grow. I’ve grown. I hope you have too.

I leave knowing this magazine is in good hands. Assistant Editor Sheryl Overstreet remains; she has spent years of time, energy, and passion moving the magazine ever onward. You will never know all she does, but, trust me, it wouldn’t exist without her. And I welcome back Shawn McMullen, former editor of The Lookout, who takes the position again. He handed off the baton so graciously to me, and now I return the favor.

Even in departure, I look to our ultimate role model. Before his death on the cross, Jesus spent time with his dear disciples, drawing them close to give encouragement and challenge. He said, “I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19) to bear fruit, to testify to his name.

We are all called to bear fruit and lift high Jesus’ name. As I find new ways to minister for him, I hope you do the same. Let’s continue to love and live as disciples of Jesus, so that one day, “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree” (Micah 4:4).

Originally published on August 13, 2017 in The Lookout.

For almost 4 years I had the privilege & challenge of writing a weekly editorial for The Lookout, a Christian living & devotional magazine. As I ended my tenure there, the timing fell on a series we developed about Jesus' encounters with people and what we can learn from his actions and words. I enjoyed writing these last editorials. I hope you enjoy reading them. Others in this series: round 1, round 2, and round 4.

It’s never fun to open a book and discover you relate to the bad guys. How am I a Pharisee? Let me count the ways.

For years when I read about pharisaical tendencies in the Bible, I felt chief among them. Their qualities were my qualities. Their desire for rule, order, discipline, and legalism fit my personality. But as the years went by, the more people I met, the more I discovered others' flaws as well as their winsome ways. Role models toppled off pedestals, left and right. How could heroes of mine have a dark side? Things weren’t so black and white.

At some point that fallen person was me. As good as I liked to paint myself, the picture wasn’t always pretty. I avoided the “big” sins. But did that mean I was so different from those on that route? I had my own issues, yet I somehow felt superior. Of course, that’s how the Pharisees felt too.

I don’t know when my attitude changed. Maybe it was after I served in ministry so long that no story surprised me. Maybe it was when I realized I have the same temptations others do—mine just aren’t always as obvious. Maybe it was after I saw changed life after changed life—recognizing that the end is what matters, not the beginning or even middle of the story.

That’s when I began to feel less like a Pharisee. Jesus told the crowd and the Pharisees who were listening to judge him correctly (John 7:24)—how that rings true in so many ways. Am I judging Jesus correctly, recognizing that he loves and offers his salvation to each person I see? Do I look at people with scorn or with the knowledge that everyone is given a chance at redemption through his blood?

God determines eternity, not me. Therefore let me be determined to do my part so that everyone has a chance to find out about his grace.

Originally published on August 6, 2017 in The Lookout.

Photo by James Pond on Unsplash

For almost 4 years I had the privilege & challenge of writing a weekly editorial for The Lookout, a Christian living & devotional magazine. As I ended my tenure there, the timing fell on a series we developed about Jesus' encounters with people and what we can learn from his actions and words. I enjoyed writing these last editorials. I hope you enjoy reading them. Others in this series: round 1, round 3, and round 4.

Water—there’s something about it that fascinates me. Nature draws my mind to God, water especially. It causes me to reflect upon the Lord. When I am by an ocean, the magnitude of God’s power overwhelms me. When I glimpse a waterfall, his grandeur is showered upon my soul. When I am by a stream, his peace, like a river, attendeth my way.

It’s no wonder then that John 4 catches my eye. Jesus, God incarnate, approached a woman—that’s intriguing and relates to me. And where else but by some water—now you’ve got my full attention.

What can I learn from this ancient encounter? There are many things to glean, but here’s where I land today:

No matter how long I’ve lived, no matter what I’ve done, no matter where I am at this point in the game, I’ve discovered—I’m always thirsty.

Aren’t you?

Maybe it’s thirst for that next experience, to have fun, to see places, to try new things. Maybe it’s thirst for that next accomplishment, a goal met, an award received, an item checked off the chart. Maybe it’s thirst for the next thing, the new gadget to get, the new wardrobe to wear, the new car to drive, the new house to own. Maybe it’s thirst for that next relationship, hoping to find one true friend, find the person to marry, have a few children, get grandkids.

Yet no matter how many of these next things we pursue and conquer, we still get thirsty again. Nothing quite satisfies for long.

I don’t think it’s supposed to.

How can we find contentment? How can we stop comparing? How can we feel quenched in our spirits so that we stop looking for what’s next?

“Where can you get this living water?” (John 4:11).

We know the answer, deep in our souls. Let’s reread John 4 and apply it to ourselves right now, right where we are, just as we are looking for what’s next. Let’s turn to the living water and never thirst again.

Originally published on July 30, 2017 in The Lookout.

Working with this Scripture text also inspired some Sunday teaching at Echo Church.