What do you do when you can't see God, when He seems distant, behind a constant swirl of clouds? I want to share a few thoughts that have been helpful for me: Be open to some unseen need for repentance. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8) This is not always the cause, but we are all sinners - we're really good at sin - automatic, sometim...

Not feeling connected here at EFree? I want to offer you a reason that might surprise you. But first, let me review how we shape our church life: First, the Sunday Worship Celebration. I will assume that you come at least twice a month, and that this is not a problem for you. But we also consider the 9 am Life Training Classes a part of Sunday, and an important part - the...

Thanksgiving is powerful - the act, that is, that the holiday emphasizes. Ironically, in America, the holiday, however, has become more about the very thing thanksgiving is meant to penetrate and kill - self-centered indulgence. I don't mean don't enjoy the pumpkin pie - I myself like a little pumpkin pie with my Cool Whip. But ironically, it is only through the act of tha...

One of life's deepest pains is a lack of connection to others. When you know someone with clinical depression, assume first that it hurts. Depression often feels like disconnection from everything - others, oneself, even God. It hurts, because previously there was a connection, and now it's mysteriously missing - the odd pain of a vacuum, the pain of nothing, where there s...

Recently I came across this poem on The Gospel Coalition website; I had not heard of it before. It was well-timed grace "low inspiration", customized by God for a low moment: "From an old English parsonage down by the sea There came in the twilight a message to me; Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven, Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven. And on through the do...

You are in your discipleship group, and someone reveals their recent, painful loss. You respond by expressing empathy and grief. But then what? Buddhists and atheists and Communists express empathy and grief. What next, that would be "Christian"? Read Titus 1:1-2, and insert "Paul", with your name, and "an apostle of Jesus Christ" with the less technical - but still appli...