The denial of contradictions (within our experience, the Bible, spiritual community, etc) can produce hesitant, fearful, uncertain, even spiritually neurotic Christians. We hear opposing stories of the same God and are expected to embrace them without doubt or trepidation. “Just believe” is the catch all phrase, the simple answer to complicated questions. The story of… Read More which God is it? (part 2)
I remember moments of ceaseless activity, at other times waning. Morning Bible reading and prayer, church services and Bible studies, leading and attending this and that group. Was the fire true? Now it seems like struck matches that never stayed alight; flint without enough energy for the weak kindling. My activities and readings and prayers… Read More which God is it? (part 1)
Ever since childhood, there’s often been a subtly pervasive voice in the background saying, “You’re not good enough, you’re not doing enough, you’re not enough as you are.” Have you heard it? This was not stated by anyone explicitly, but was sometimes implied within spiritual environments I participated in and observed. Guilt. As easy as… Read More guilt
As I have pulled back on my participation in familiar spiritual environments, as I have ceased the once familiar spirituality of my history and context, I find that I still encounter God in the midst of (re)movement. I do not speak, but stay silent; I do not move, but am still; I do not ask,… Read More (re)movement
Some of us may also be saying: “You know I’m not walking away from you. So what am I walking away from? Please, tell me.” He might respond in this way. “You are walking away from all the things that are associated with me, but are not me. The very things that may have once… Read More Week 33: the false/true worshiper (part 2)
“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” Am I a false worshiper? A dishonest worshiper? God asks us to be honest with ourselves. Because when we… Read More Week 32: the false/true worshiper
“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… Read More the quest for rest
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… Read More Coming of Age
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory … And (having) put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and… Read More The resurrected life, pt. II: The inspiration to live
