So, then, let us love like our God who is and has defined love.
All in Life
Joyfulness
My children take great joy in the smallest things. And I enjoy their joy. Christian obedience is something like this. God, through His Spirit, works in us the smallest of obedience. This becomes the smallest of pleasures. And it pleases Him.
jameson & carol
A crowd of migrant workers, waiting to be picked up by anyone, stepped closer to the car. He waved them off solemnly. When he asked me if I had a facebook, I said no.
Joy Abides
Joy is no slave. Joy stands outside of that list, for it is hidden in what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. Joy abides. Joy looks at the ebb and flow of life and says, “But God.”
missional mulch
I'm grateful to have gotten to know this bunch of folks a lot better - the kind of bonding that occurs when you all look and smell disgusting. It was a treat to see how much you can get done when people work well together, and work hard. My farmer's tan is now several shades darker, even if I never did get a photo-op with a small dark child to post on my Facebook so that everyone would know I did a missions trip.
Profiling Like a Boss
You are in no position of authority or protection whatsoever. There was no reason for you to profile me. This added layer of self-ordained patriotic protection is simply ridiculous. I am glad that my children were not old enough to realize that their father was being profiled for having long hair and a long beard.
Internalizing Conflict or How I Have To Close My Eyes
In my frailty, I cannot endure keeping my eyes perpetually open and focused. Sometimes I need to take a break. Thankfully the Scriptures call me to keep my eyes on the cross.
use and enjoyment
I still advocate for educating your taste, in all things - food, drink, music, film. It is important to know what is worthy and what is cheap. I'm not saying that only religious music is worthy.
Tell Me "How Romantic Is That"?
I won’t regret anything at all
if the only world we see is
outside the windows of our minivan
dystopia: one introvert's escapism
In the meantime, if you need me, I'll be in a corner near an exit. Probably scowling, drinking bourbon, and imagining that I'm the only one in the room.
Intentionally Being Intentional About Intentionality
I am far from a perfect covenant parents. Instead, I call to mind the promises of God and try to communicate them to my children faithfully. The whole time recognizing that our efforts are analogous to 1) "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24) or 2) "We have only five loaves and two fish" (Matt 14:17).
Good Things When It Rains
I might die having not seen the fulfillment of the promise (Heb 11:13). But I can know it will not disappoint. Our hope is in a resurrection where every tear is wiped from every eye.
In Medias Res: Small, Rudderless Life Rafts
Imagine the insanity, the death, and martyrdom. Imagine the complete lack of theological development and tradition, and the total absence of a canon of Scripture. There was baptism. There was the Eucharist. There were hymns, prayers, and teaching.
Fasting Through Ordinary Time
This time doesn't even have a real name. Most denominations agree on Christmas, Easter, and even Pentecost - the Big Three. But there's Ordinary Time, Normal Time, maybe even Trinity Season (which is what my church calls it).
wild life
A few years prior to that, some people had trespassed up there, built a dirtbike track, and planted some, um, alternative crops. This town is pretty rural and there's a lot of open space, so you have to assume a great deal of that goes on.
Pay Me To Drink Alcohol
For a solid couple of hours the world stood still and people existed solely to entertain each other.
Forgetting What We Never Knew
They will not remember, but they will not be the same. They are real, whole, and complete people. Being able to remember is not the defining element of time being important. They are changing. They are growing. They are being disciplined. They are developing rather funny personalities.
home is where the plants are
Even today, as I write this, my new plumber just told me the
A False Hermeneutic of Love
"Love" is not something we are given apart from Jesus Christ. Neither is it something we can give apart from Christ. Love in us is our emulation of God's love.
Looking Forward
This isn’t something I can just do away with. I can’t remove it from me. I wish I could. I have spent many nights, praying, crying, weeping for God to take it away. Crying because I keep failing. Weeping because I don’t know that I will ever be able to have the family and life that I so desperately crave, and instead the feeling of impending loneliness descends on me.