Romans 1 speaks to ALL of us
Evangelicals and political conservatives are quick to use Romans 1 as a proof-text against the sin of homosexuality. While this chapter speaks plainly that homosexuality is sinful and a result of mankind's willful disregard of God from natural revelation, it is much more than simply a proof text against this pet sin of . . .
what I learned as a father from the Astros cheating scandal
When we moved to Houston over a decade ago, my lifelong baseball allegiance to the Cubs was challenged. As much as I wanted to cheer for the hometown team--who were as big a losers as the Cubs during that time--I couldn't entirely get on board. It got easier when the Astros moved to the American League. After all, what were the . . .
advent: learning to wait in an impatient culture
why we desperately need the training ground of advent
(this is an updated version of a post I originally wrote in 2017)
In a letter to his fiancee Maria von Wedmeyer from prison in December 1943, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten...Whoever does not know the austere blessedness . . .
Luther on waiting for God
"I wait for the Lord." Psalm 130.5
There are some people who want to show God the goal and to determine the time and the manner and at the same time suggest how they wish to be helped; and if things do not turn out as they wish, they become faint-hearted, or, if they can, they seek help elsewhere. They do not wait upon God, rather God should wait for them and be . . .
Christians are 'peculiar'...
Kate Tristram on the faithful odd
We are 'peculiar.' We have chosen not to go with the majority. We shall pray and reflect on the life of Christ: most people don't do this. We shall worship and receive God's gifts in His sacraments: most people don't do this. We shall be in a minority: we shall be odd.
Kate Tristam, quoted in Celtic . . .
Luther on God's good gifts
God could easily give you grain and fruit without your plowing and planting. But He does not want to do so. Neither does He want your plowing and planting alone to give you grain and fruit; but you are to plow and plant and then ask His blessing and pray: “Now let God take over; now grant grain and fruit, dear Lord! Our plowing . . .
