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Attention: Narnia Enthusiasts
I have recently learned that Hollywood is preparing another cinematic excursion into the land of Narnia. Naturally, I immediately began investigating the literary credentials of its creator, one C. S. Lewis. Imagine my delight upon discovering that Mr. Lewis understood the theological importance of the conjunction BUT. Indeed, he once entrusted the entire reputation of… Continue reading
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But Now, Says the Lord
Isaiah 43:1–4 Have you ever noticed how easily we identify people by something other than their names? We do it without thinking. Someone becomes the woman with cancer, the man who lost his job, the neighbor going through a divorce, or the friend struggling with depression. Sometimes we identify people by their accomplishments, professions, or… Continue reading
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Beep! Beep!
An excerpt from Chapter 22. Beep! Beep! Warner Brothers introduced Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner in the late 1940s. Ever since, that determined coyote has ordered one ridiculous invention after another from the ACME Corporation in his never-ending attempt to capture the elusive bird. The humor lies in the predictability. Every plan backfires.… Continue reading
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Scarecrows in a Cucumber Field
Jeremiah 10:12 [Disclaimer: I was a scarecrow once. Halloween, early 70s. I was probably 4 or 5. Mom dressed me up. Adults all told me I looked adorable. Oversized overalls, burlap and hay-like stuffing poking out everywhere … I remember the costume itched like crazy.] I have seen a few of real scarecrows over the years. Some… Continue reading
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Proverbial But O’ the Week: Receptivity
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, BUT knowledge comes easily to the discerning. (Proverbs 14:6) Wisdom isn’t simply a matter of intelligence or how much we know. It’s also a matter of how willing we are to learn. The mocker approaches life convinced he already has the answers, dismissing anything that challenges his assumptions.… Continue reading
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The Pivot: But the Lord …
Seen We live in a world that places enormous value on appearances. We notice how people look, what they’ve accomplished, where they’ve been, what they own, and how others regard them. We make judgments based on what we can see, often without realizing how little we actually know. Samuel nearly made the same mistake when… Continue reading
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But We Prayed … and Posted a Guard
“Well, I guess all we can do now is pray.” Have you ever said those words? I have. More than I care to admit. Usually, they come after I’ve exhausted every other possibility. I’ve thought through the problem, considered my options, made the phone calls, offered suggestions, and done everything I know to do. Nothing… Continue reading
Darin Michael Shaw
In addition to being the world’s foremost expert on the conjunction but, author and freelance writer Darin Michael Shaw (he/him/his) identifies as a post-evangelical, free-range Jesus Freak, taking Jesus seriously when he says, “Follow me,” while inviting others to come and see for yourself.
