topics
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familiarity
…But when [Christianity’s] fundamentals are doubted, as at present, we must try to recover the candour and wonder of the child; the unspoilt realism and objectivity of innocence. Or if we cannot do that, we must try at least to shake off the cloud of mere custom and see the thing as new, if only by seeing it Continue reading
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empty tombs, pt. 2: stories
What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and in a semblance of the gardener God walked again in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but the dawn. – G.K. Chesterton on the resurrection For almost two weeks, I traveled through Maine Continue reading
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empty tombs, pt. 1
I’ve recently begun to reread the various gospel accounts of the resurrection, which just so happens to be around the time of Easter. Despite the familiarity of this story and all the cringeworthy “Christianese” cliches, often overdone Easter bunny and Easter egg decorations, and sometimes cheesy church services that accompany it, there has suddenly entered Continue reading
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nearness
“How can a man remain what he was when he has gotten near God?” the nearness of God… “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good…” We’ve probably all heard the phrase, “Getting” or “becoming closer to God,” as if we bring ourselves near(er) to God through our own efforts, obedience, faith, Continue reading
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the quest for rest: part 2
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 “The Word Itself calleth thee to return: and there is the place of rest imperturbable, where love is not forsaken, if itself forsaketh not.” – St. Augustine I stood still in the forest of Potter Continue reading
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the quest for rest
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3 If you’re at all like me, sometimes it may be difficult to learn how to rest and enter into peace. At times, I’m constantly thinking of what I “should” and “could” be doing with my (“free”) time, of Continue reading
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entering in…as chosen ones
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be…” No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to Continue reading
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Coming of Age
From Sinner, to Saint, to Failure, to Called Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not Continue reading
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casting out: part 2
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (IJohn 5:4-5). We overcome the world by our faith. But our faith need not Continue reading
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Our Greatest Knowing
The following column is my most recent for HM Magazine. It’s a reflection of some things I have been pondering as of late. There will be more to follow, as I dig deeper into this idea of “knowing” and “seeing” in a new and different way… “I know that you can do all things, and Continue reading
a kingdom built of seeds 