vocatio redux
that beat is constant, intermittent,
faster for you and the Eucharist.
slowed with borrowed babies,
for that is someone else’s time
vocatio
if not now, later, then?
carry on as you were.
doing this given work
in quietness not my own but His
and, at the last, in joy.
Politics is the Opiate of the Masses
The truth is that every kingdom of man will fall before the Kingdom of God. Yet the way the Kingdom of God prevails is through suffering servitude. When the kingdoms of men pick up the sword against the Lord's anointed we are not to draw our swords like Peter did in the garden (John 18:10).
Crushing the Innocent
Yes, I am continuing my dig at over-regulation. I am kicking a dead horse because many continue to ride it into the ground. I am persuaded that outside of abortion there is nothing more sinful occurring in America.
Book Review: Global Evangelicalism (editors Donald M. Lewis & Richard V. Pierard)
Global Evangelicalism is a fascinating and educational coverage of a very broad subject. Though the sheer amount of information makes this difficult to read straight through, the material is excellent for classrooms and continual resource.
Book Review: Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics
Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics is phenomenal as classroom material to introduce ethics.
The Narrative of Noah's Baptism
New creation has appeared. Noah is a re-casting of Adam and he is bestowed with a new creation. Already this story is highlighting the Holy Spirit and water.
Why I Love Integrated Worship
A child who is immersed in Christian worship will necessarily be shaped by that immersion. Conversely, when the children are whisked away to the church annexes they are denied such formation. Further, the act removing the children from Christ’s Body (the church) seems to run straight against the words of our Lord when he
Covenant Through New Eyes: Part 5 – The World of the Patriarchs
n the world of the patriarchs god's focus zooms in from the world of Noah to the land of Canaan. It
Outgrowing Confessions
The historical confessions have been a means of grace too long ignored by American Evangelicalism. But they are not infallible.
Lent and Introspection
Do not simply add Lent to your personal devotional life. Do not simply make Lent another expression of the individualism that is so rampant in the current American church. Rather, see Lent as an opportunity to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in a season of self-examination and repentance.
Book Review: Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously (editor Jeremy A. Evans)
Taking Christian Moral Thought Seriously is one of the most important introductory books on practical ethics that can be read for conservative laymen and pastors. This book’s niche is Southern Baptists but it expands beyond many traditional boxes in exceptional ways.
Hospitality, Gifts and Pagan Literature
The fact is hospitality is a central theme to the scriptures, particularly in the ways that it points to the incarnation and God's desire to once again dwell with
There Is Forgiveness for Even That Filth
One of my Lutheran friends, Jordan Cooper, has handled the incident in such a way as to make any further statements a waste of clean air. Yet, I am going to waste such air and attempt to expand beyond the shameful controversy.
Listening to Other Stories
The world is no longer majestic and mysterious. Rather, everything can be known scientifically. All things can be boiled down to left or right. Perhaps what we really need is a return to
Impotent Churches and Shallow Theology
"I've seen a generation plagued by religious restlessness derived from time in impotent churches and shallow theology. I couldn't blame them."
Folk (and a Bit of Americana) Primer
I'm here to write about 5 artists/groups, hard-working, hard-touring folks, purveying a brand of genuinely heart-felt music I've been guilty of thinking no longer existed. If it lies within your power to see and hear these musicians, make it happen. If it doesn't, try legal downloads or physical-format purchases from their sites.
Why Philosophy Is A Worthwhile Study For Christians
Though every non-Christian philosopher may have stolen the good stuff that they have found, at bare minimum they’ve provided more opportunities to learn about God, his nature, and his creation. Athens has a great deal to do with Jerusalem, and followers of Christ would do well to become familiar with it, though they ought not become citizens of it.
Covenant Through New Eyes: Part 4 – The World of Noah
The inspired authors of scripture saw history unfolding in such a way that the world is constantly being destroyed and remade. With each new world comes new ways that man is to relate to God and act in the world. This is played out over and over again in the pages of the Old Testament.