a bible study – 300 words a day

Pick one thing. Do it well.

“I’m completely stuck,” I said. “When you say ‘completely’,” Tim said, “What do you mean? That you sit in one place, permanently unmoving?” I wanted to nod, but I understood the irony of having the capacity to walk into Lystra Tea Company and to order a medium bold and to have the money to pay […]

by Jon Swanson

Three days later.

One day at the temple, during the celebration of Passover, Jesus disrupted the disruption. In the space of the temple where gentiles could visit and worship, people were selling animals and exchanging money. It was work that had a right to be done, but it was disrupting the purpose of that space. God had said, […]

by Jon Swanson

Don’t be surprised.

The safety person came to our chaplain staff meeting one day. She needed to make sure that we knew how to use a fire extinguisher. She said some general stuff. And she said four things, slightly summarized here. The fire extinguisher is heavier than you think. The pin is hard to pull out than you […]

by Jon Swanson

On laughing and praying.

I was praying with a friend for that friend. I was, as I often do, just talking, asking God for what seemed to be a response to the concern on my friend’s heart. And then, as I sometimes do, I just started laughing. People who know me know that this is one of my odd […]

by Jon Swanson

An early morning leadership prayer. (Also good for followers)

He was alone. I mean, he was surrounded by colleagues and dependents, allies and offspring. But up before dawn, he was alone. David was in the desert. His to-do list today, like every day, was simple. Six important things. find water avoid Saul find food avoid Saul find grass for flocks avoid Saul. If he […]