November 2014 – Page 2 – 300 words a day

In training.

Rob says that running in the rain makes you feel indomitable. I think it makes you wet. But that may be the same thing. Here’s what I do know. If I ever need to, I can run 5K (3.1 miles) if the temperature is 24 degrees (F). I can even run 5K if the temperature […]

by Jon Swanson

a weekend permission list.

First published April 25, 2009. Rest. You get to do that. Pray. You get to do that. Trust. You get to do that. Sleep. You get to do that. Laugh. You get to do that. Weep. You get to do that. Ask. You get to do that. Love. You get to do that. Repent. You […]

by Jon Swanson

Wouldn’t you start working?

This is how the book of Nehemiah starts: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who […]

by Jon Swanson

Looking forward to Advent

I’ve had mixed feelings about Advent and Christmas for years. Everyone’s happy and I get more melancholy. There are expectations of great love and great presents and great programs, and I feel inadequate. But several years ago, I began to understand that spending time in preparation can help us handle seasons of expectation with wisdom […]

by Jon Swanson

4 reasons to talk about a Bible passage more than once.

I asked my friend if he had a sentence or two from the Bible that were anchors for him, what is often called a “life verse.” He said that he was always drawn to a few sentences from Jesus, quoted in the book of John. I suggested that he learn them for our next conversation. […]