f you find your obedience to God weak, half-hearted, bitter or hypocritical, don't be afraid to ask "why." We have a Father who loves to answer.
All in Life
Until I See You
If you wish to better understand the struggles of homelessness, be sure to check out I See You and begin to invest in meaningful community.
Can We Identify Our Lack?
For that is precisely what it means to reject a theology of perfectionism. It means to announce a remaining lack that can only, for now, be fulfilled by the church community.
Be Still
Be still. Rest. Not in the poetic sense of refreshing or finding your second wind. Not in a sentimental “mood picture” sort of way. Look forward to the promised rest. Look back at Christ’s finished work.
reading "Writing Poems in the Shadow of Death" in Lent
Like Lent, this hurts, and I don't love it. I've written before about being sacrificed alive: sanctification sucks. But fleeing it, fleeing the pain of being made holy lands you a life you don't actually want, a kind of living death. Aaron was, at least when I knew him, facing up squarely to life. I hope his writing helps you do the same.
Vignettes - Peter's Four Month Journey
Sleep now little baby, adventure and mayhem and siblings (with closets full of tempting footwear) await.
Dear Lutheranism
The opportunity to share our sound confessional principles with the American church, comfort those in our pews, and reject unbiblical notions which directly support social oppression cannot go unanswered. I pray that once again Lutherans will be willing to stand up for the Biblical principles they confess.
Advent: The Season of Hope In Pain
Advent means a lot more when you are in pain and waiting for deliverance precisely because that is Advent. It is waiting to be delivered with the complete hope and assurance that deliverance is coming.
Solidarity in Suffering
While there are many practical benefits of Byrd's work, I believe its effort to make solidarity in suffering a joint gender effort is among the most valuable.
Book Review: Why Can't We Be Friends? (Danielle Pollock)
I hope this book is able to help many people see male-female friendships as the God-given gift that they are.
Friendships that Look Forward
Far from merely stating that male and female relationships are permissible, this view for the future intimates that these friendships are essential to the vitality of the church and her mission.
Viewing One Another Holistically
One general premise of the book is that the church unwittingly has adopted secular perspectives on how men and women relate to each other and erred in discouraging cross-gender relationships.
notes from neverland
I hoped it would be easier this time - it's not. It's hard to trust; I wish it wasn't. Pray for me, I'll pray for you.
We Would See Jesus
Would you see Jesus? You may well have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but he is most certainly there with you. The day we will be able to see him with our own eyes and touch the hem of his garment with our own hands cannot come soon enough for me.
Book Review: The Gospel Comes with a House Key
I would recommend that those who are interested in Christian hospitality (and yes, outreach) read this book. It is challenging and convicting, and having read it, I want to do more in this area.
Valentine's Ashes
Lean close together, hold one another and seek spiritual intimacy. Give one another your ashes. Get down to the real work of being holy partners, wholly together.
Fear Big Bad Beer?
Yes, I'll drink corporation beer if you buy it. But let's not pretend ... I'm definitelyjudging you.
Echoes Become Your Only Friend
Isolation is now man's "natural" path. Isolation from God, friends, and eventually even self. Who hasn't felt like they were a shell of some better self?
always in the blood
The body and blood I inhabit that are—in so many ways—not my own to do with what I please. Maybe it washes out in the water, maybe it's always in the blood. But I have been sacrificed for...and so I am given the strength to keep sacrificing my self.
Confessions, Contrasts, and Christmas
I think it is necessary to begin this piece with a confession: I really just don’t like Christmas.