religion
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my (short) story
Now, a little about me. I think back. What led me here? There’s childhood. A well behaved pastor’s kid though my father wasn’t a pastor but something more—a praying carpenter, a spiritual giant, a minister in his own unique way. I was like him, until l wasn’t. I wanted to be like him, until I Continue reading
asking, authenticity, change, Christianity, church, compassion, empathy, evangelicalism, experience, Faith, God, Grace, growth, honesty, hope, Jesus, knowledge, learning, listening, love, openness, personal, reflections, religion, Searching, seeking, spirit, spirituality, story, Trust, truth, understanding -
anthropology as a guide to faith
In my spiritual background there was little room for creativity, understanding, or messaging outside of a straight and narrow understanding of faith. Christian worldview embodies a clear message, points us to God, is based in the Bible, is mostly black and white, and contains the “truth” of our beliefs, actions, and ways of being in Continue reading
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experiencing the other
I’m going to begin touching on topics (or beliefs or doctrines) I have personally wrestled with, or am still wrestling through. This is not a theological examination; I am not a trained theologian or pastor or biblical scholar. Nor are solutions and answers presented. My aim is to stir questions, propel reflection, and honor experience. Continue reading
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forgiving is remembering
We are what we come from but not only that. Forging ahead we bridge the divide between who were—the parts that fit and the pieces that don’t—and who we are becoming. Not who we are, mind you, for we are always the becoming, not a static arrival. Think back to your father and mother, your Continue reading
bloodline, Christianity, church, deconstruction, evangelicalism, Faith, family, forgiveness, God, history, hope, hurt, Jesus, love, pain, past, present, reflections, religion, remembering, spirituality, suffering, surrender, Trust -
a meditation for the weary
It was from Matthew 11. “I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.” This struck me. “You don’t have to go back to what is heavy and ill-fitting.” Why do so many of us assume God’s way or will is always something heavy and hard, even ill-fitting, that God wants to make martyrs of Continue reading
bible, Christianity, church, deconstruction, evangelicalism, Faith, God, hope, Jesus, love, Matthew 11, prayer, reflections, religion, rest, spirituality, Trust, weary, worship -
natural & miraculous (part 2)
On many occasions God has already given us what we need in how he’s made us and who he’s brought into our lives. I do believe there are moments when the out-of-the-ordinary (the supernatural) breaks through, something inexplicable beyond our ability or effort. But much of the time we’re living very ordinary, natural lives (which Continue reading
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natural & miraculous (part 1)
When faced with life decisions or everyday choices there are many simple spiritual answers: “Just pray about it. Just wait on God. Just have faith. Just trust God.” As if we have no responsibility or hard work of our own, or freedom to choose our own path. The way I see it now is that Continue reading
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when God descends
Some summer weekend mornings I like to write a few pages with coffee in my room then move to the deck that faces the sunlight with a book of poetry hearing the birds in the background (this morning mostly sparrows and juncos dancing around in the dirt) then set down the book to watch the Continue reading
Christianity, church, deconstruction, divine, Faith, God, Grace, hope, Jesus, listening, love, reflections, religion, spirituality, Trust, waiting -
the lack
Though we search we’re never whole. There is always something missing. And somehow, someway, God is near in this. Christians may call it “the fall,” a product of original sin, some catastrophe unintended but fixable. If it’s this, it’s also much more than this. They say God will make it all okay, now or then, Continue reading
brokenness, Christianity, deconstruction, desire, eternity, Faith, God, Grace, Jesus, lack, love, reflections, religion, spirituality, Trust -
person over power
I see the Ravi Zachariases and Mark Driscolls and John MacArthurs of the world and know if these men were the summation of what I believed about the church, Christians, God, I would run as far as I can and never look back, except to glare. But then I avert my gaze and there’s another Continue reading
Christianity, church, compassion, Faith, freedom, God, hope, humility, injustice, Jesus, justice, leadership, love, oppression, power, reflections, religion, spirituality
a kingdom built of seeds 