JONATHAN C DOW

Upset and Troubled

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things" (Luke 10:41 NASB).

The One who spoke those words so long ago gently reiterated them to me as I drove to work one recent morning. Agitated (and perturbed for feeling so irritated), I clung white-knuckled to the steering wheel, lost in an inarticulate yet . . .

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February 06, 2018

Chirping and Tweeting

I am very grateful for a work schedule that allows me to linger at the kitchen table in the mornings. This quiet time is filled with reading, writing, and more moments than I care to admit of mindlessly scrolling through social media. The soundtrack to my morning is filled with the peaceful sounds of nature and the occasional rustle of . . .

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November 18, 2017

Go Ahead, 'Bother' the Teacher

A Not-So-Tongue-in-Cheek Invitation

“Don’t bother the teacher any longer.” That was the rebuke that derailed my focus from the sermon one recent Sunday morning. Abandoning the preacher's train of thought (sorry, pastor), I lingered in that Luke 8 passage, trying to understand the context for such a harsh statement.  

Jesus, returning to the shore . . .

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June 05, 2017

Three Minute Miracle... or Maybe Not

On a recent stroll through the aisles of a discount department store, I came across a large endcap displaying a product called “3 Minute Miracle.” I chuckled, admiring the ample supply of divine favor in shiny-golden tubes at never-before-seen prices.

Further reflection, however, brought an unexpected weightiness as I thought . . .

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May 25, 2017

"End of Cycle"

Reflections Inspired by an Old Clothes Dryer

Our 15-year-old dryer has an “End of Cycle” signal. When set to “on,” the dryer emits a piercing, five-second buzz at the completion of the cycle. Let me simply say, when the cycle is over, you know it!

I am mindful, however, that we are not always offered this luxury in life and in ministry. The One who . . .

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January 21, 2017

You're a Gem

Not too long ago I subbed for a dear friend who served as a church musician. In retrospect, knowing the caliber of his musicianship, his passion for excellence, and his vast artistic experience, I foolishly made assumptions about the environment in which he regularly ministered as the Director of Music.

As I sat with the congregation . . .

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December 14, 2016

Go Online

An uber, Uber Lesson

Recently, my wife and I had a long overdue dinner with friends. While catching up, we discovered that one of them had become an Uber driver. Having heard so much about it, I was curious to hear what the Uber experience was like from the driver’s perspective. Primary in my mind was this question, “How do people find you?” . . .

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October 21, 2016

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