a windows-down road trip
why losing the a/c was the best part of the voyage
Heading out of Little Rock last weekend for my hometown in southern Indiana the air conditioner went out on our van. While at first our hearts all sank at the prospect of driving 400 miles with the air out through the August sun, it didn’t take long for us to realize that this accident would be the best part of the trip!
Having the . . .
the cross as misfortune
"Suffering" is not a very popular word in the vernacular of contemporary American Christianity. Oh sure, we talk about 'suffering' and 'persecution' from time-to-time, even in our own cultural context, but can be we honest for a minute and admit that such things have really no part our American Christian experience? . . .
how NOT to pray
an appalling prayer by Pastor Mark Burns
I did not watch yesterday’s coverage of the first day of the Republican National Convention. I will not watch today’s coverage or any coverage of this convention or the Democratic National Convention. I did read through some of the transcripts of various speeches and found very little that was original, inspiring, or confidence-building. Was . . .
time to return to writing
it's not you, it's me
I’ve been silent on this blog for some months now. Not that I haven’t been writing, I just haven’t been writing consistently or online. The events of the past few months have driven me inward, forcing me to contemplate aspects of faith and life that have been largely ignored or little explored before now—aspects like violence, pacifism, war, . . .
worship: tremble with me
The act of worship is an amazing thing. To be invited into communion and fellowship with the very Creator and Sustainer of the universe is mind-blowing in-and-of itself. To be invited into this sacred moment, however, as his children is even more incredible.
I admit, I often take this marvelous privilege for granted.
Posted in: theology
I am Barabbas
I am many unflattering things. Sinful. Unrighteous. Guilty. Rebellious. Unloving.
I am Barabbas.
For it was necessary for [Pilate] to release one to them at the feast. And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in . . .
preaching that kills the soul
Yesterday, I listened to sermon that was almost a Christ-centered, grace-filled, hope-full encouragement to pray and consider the fathomless beauty that Christ our Lord intercedes on our behalf to the Father. Almost. At the end, it fell painfully short and ended up being little more than a veiled exhortation to try harder to be godly. A . . .
Posted in: theology
