We love origin scenes in movies. They help us understand how things began and why characters behave the way they do. It gives us empathy . . . and orientation.

January 6 is Epiphany, a Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the magi, or “Wise Men. ”

Our world is moving more virtual every day. We spend more time staring at screens than interacting with real people . . .

I recently came across this stunning description from Madeleine L’Engle about the birth of an idea. I’m excited to share it with you.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was doing in Eden? As part of the Trinity, he was actively involved in creation. The first chapter of John tells us that all things were created in and through Jesus. Which would, of course, include Eden. And Adam and Eve. And, well, everything. 

Today, we’ll look at the distinctions between a Story 1 and Story 2 life.

We’re on a journey of what it means to choose a Story 1 life in a Story 2 world.

We’re made for Story 1. Yet we were born into Story 2 and have tried to make it our home. It doesn’t work. It never will.

I believe it’s possible to choose a Story 1 life in a Story 2 world. That’s what my new book, The Eden Option, is all about.

It isn’t your imagination. The world is accelerating. More, it’s unraveling because it was never meant to be what it’s become. But it isn’t just the world. The unraveling is also happening inside us.

This week marks the one year anniversary for Daily Thoughts on God and Creativity.  

Chasing success leads to a never-ending succession of stress and striving.  

A rejection of your art could mean it wasn’t meant for that person.

We can’t place our hopes for better times on changing seasons or the promises of this world. 

An essential aspect of creativity is your ability to think independently. To see an issue without first being told how to see it. To ask any question. To imagine what could be. And then to go where God leads without worrying whether it matches some predefined script or party line. 

The world continues to grow more digital by the day. Our photos are stored on our phone. Our music and movie collection is vast…and all in a cloud somewhere. Homes rarely feature built-in bookcases anymore, because e-books don’t need shelves.

Some days you need more than general encouragement. You need a specific words to address a specific issue.

Somehow, we’ve come to see doubt as noble. For many believers, admitting doubts about aspects of God or scripture isn’t something to be avoided but actually viewed as being real or “authentic.”  

If your creativity feels opposed, you’re in good company. The enemy has opposed God’s role as Creator and his creation since the beginning of time.

As a boy, I loved to go fishing with my dad. Back then, fishing wasn’t fancy. All you needed was a pole and a worm. I remember hearing about the beauty and art of fly fishing, but without a mentor or the right equipment, it felt out of reach. For someone else.