As we've preached our way through Hebrews I've been reflecting on how it applies to us. The author seeks to convince his readers that the New Covenant is better than the old, but we don't want to hang on to the Old Covenant right? How does the call to let the old go apply to... Continue Reading →
Rest Amidst the Chaos
2020 What a year huh? No doubt this will be a year for the history books. The medical, financial, and psychological implications of the COVID-19 pandemic will be far reaching. The important conversations about racism should be positive for our nation. But without the proper foundation they’re just as likely to suck us deeper into... Continue Reading →
Deformed by Crisis or Transformed by the Cross?
I think would be safe to say that these times have altered our daily lives. As creatures of habit this time has been quite disorienting. When things get turned upside down, what habits do we go back to? I've talked previously here about big picture habits, or cultural liturgies like sports, school, consumerism, and work... Continue Reading →
Coping with Broken Cisterns
Failed Coping Mechanisms When we're confronted with our own insanity we tend to play the blame game right? Blame it on COVID-19, cabin fever, my spouse, my kids, my church, my government. All this is a diversion to avoid the painful reality that often our own idols make us crazy. All the things we task... Continue Reading →
Leaving Quarantine Divided
The church is one body of Christ, and has one Lord, one faith, and shares one new birth into the family of faith as God's children (Eph 4:5). Based on what I've heard and read recently, you wouldn't think that's true of Christians. As this crisis has lengthened, the church has become more and more... Continue Reading →
At Home and Alone
The idea that we may experience loneliness is foreign to us, and maybe even appalling. We think that loneliness is experienced by weak people, needy people, or sulking introverted people who have isolated themselves. The possibility that we could experience such a weak and pathetic state of loneliness never crosses our minds, but maybe we're... Continue Reading →
Stewing and Secluded
"What do you do with the mad that you feel?" It's the opening line to a theologically suspect song crooned by my childhood hero Mr. Rogers (linked only for nostalgic purposes). But we would do well to ask ourselves that question. Many people I talk to during this time have seemed to become more and... Continue Reading →
Living With Fear Part 3: Surrender
Part 1 HEREPart 2 HERE Is There Anything Good in Fear? We are interesting creatures. The habits we often cultivate in our lives drive us nuts and lead to burnout, yet somehow they're also comfortable because they're familiar. We don't know of any other way to act or live unless we are shown another way.... Continue Reading →
Living With Fear Part 2: Looking Behind It
Part 1 Click Here... It would be so nice if we could just see the junk on the surface of our lives and just skim it off and be done right? It’s terrifying to think of how much work there is to do in my life when I peel back the facade on the surface.... Continue Reading →
Living With Fear Part 1: Don’t Suppress
Over the next few months, almost everyone on the planet will be coming to terms with their own fears. With each new development in the news cycle, some will be triggered with anxiety and immediately feel panic, some will self-righteously "rise above it", and others will be more afraid of what people think of their... Continue Reading →
Spiritual Depression: Causes and Cures (Part 1 &2)
First off, I do not intend to portray myself as any kind of expert on depression. I have gathered some resources that I find helpful and leaned on a few friends that have more experience than I do. Any helpful insight probably started with me doing work on myself first and being helped by others.... Continue Reading →