Jesus
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Week 29: what kind of follower
The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 is one of my favorite stories in the Bible; it’s beautiful. This was a man no one liked. He was despised by everyone. Like all tax collectors, he was a traitor to his own people (the Jews), collecting taxes for the occupiers (the Romans), skimming off the top Continue reading
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Week 26: sometimes it’s time to stop
The next conference. The next altar call. The next church or prayer service. The next revival meeting. The next house of prayer set. The next sermon. The next book. The next revelation. The next breakthrough. The next experience. The next prophecy. The next word from God. I know someone will be able to relate. I Continue reading
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Week 25: thirst (part 2)
Not long ago, I read a short biography of Mother Teresa in 7 Men and 7 Women (by Eric Metaxas). There’s a part that resonated with me. By 1950 [Mother Teresa] had devised a constitution for the Missionaries of Charity–the name God had given her when she first heard her “call within a call.” In Continue reading
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Week 24: thirst
Jesus said, “I thirst.” I love the way the trees sway in worship. The slight breeze setting their thin trunks in motion, branches joining the chorus. If i wasn’t sitting out here on the deck tonight, I wouldn’t notice. I wouldn’t see it. I have to pay attention. What is existence without seeing? Why are Continue reading
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Week 20: “now and not yet”
I have always been aware of the “now and not yet” of following Jesus. I am reminded that it’s okay to still feel unsettled, somewhat incomplete, and a little discontent; because things are not (yet) as they should be. Everyone knows this. Some recognize it more than others. It is something of a prophetic understanding—those Continue reading
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Week 19: when “behind” is “ahead”
I grew up hearing some of the following phrases: make sure you don’t “backslide”; don’t be “deceived”; make sure not to “fall away”; be careful not to “lose your faith.” Do I believe these can actually happen to someone? In a sense, I actually do. Do I think they’re helpful or should be a focal Continue reading
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Week 17: “all about the dude”
“I thought it was all about the f*cking dude?” “It should be,” I replied. This passing comment had followed an initial question: “Do churches fight with each other?” “Mmm, not usually. But sometimes, yeah, churches and denominations find things to fight about.” His comment struck me. Didn’t he put the truth in the most explicit, Continue reading
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Week 14: (un)certain
In a film I recently watched, there was a quote that resonated with me, especially during this time of uncertainty. “Faith is 24 hours of doubt and one minute of hope.” For everything we give, wait and hope for in faith, perhaps we see little immediate reward. In all of the current fear, anxiety and Continue reading
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Week 13: the table (part 2)
My heart is always filled with awe and wonder on nights such as these. I only invite others—not to my table with anything I can provide—to his table, the one with the remedy for the maladies of our hearts. He who is himself the remedy. My only hope is to create a space where he Continue reading
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Week 12: the table (part 1)
“I will come back every f*cking week for the rest of my f*cking life whenever I’m in this town,” he said as he wiped tears from his face. The very best compliment I could have ever received. My new friend “T” started shedding tears as I ended the night in prayer. I had shared the Continue reading
a kingdom built of seeds 