Some of the commands in Scripture sound oppressive sometimes. Take the first and greatest command for instance, "Love the LORD your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your strength." Really?! Don't I get a break? What about when I'm disappointed in life or worn down through constant struggle? … Continue reading Rejoice Not
A Strong Tower
One of my cousins is a Jehovah's Witness. One time, my mom invited me to have coffee with the two of them. I pitched a softball question at Cousin P, "By what name did Jesus teach us to call God?" "Jehovah!" she blurted. "Oh," I said, "can you tell me where in the Gospels Jesus … Continue reading A Strong Tower
Blame On!
Watchman Nee, the Chinese house church leader, refused the newly ascended communist regime's invitation to head their efforts to assimilate Christianity. In retaliation, they published a full page editorial cartoon which depicted a cutaway view of a two story building. On the top story, hapless church members poured their money into a funnel on which … Continue reading Blame On!
Other Side of the Coin
2012 was the perfect year for our family to go to Disney together. With twelve years between our firstborn and "the baby," Jamie and I had reckoned that there'd be a narrow window when Caleb was still young enough to enjoy it with us and when Lydia would be old enough to remember it. Somehow, … Continue reading Other Side of the Coin
Okay By Yourself
Over thirty years later, the image of my teenaged self pains me. I wasn't okay. I longed to connect with people but whenever they came near, insecurities buzzed in my brain. My attempts to comport myself became social spasms. I remember near panic at the thought of an evening alone. I remember the utter dread … Continue reading Okay By Yourself
Motive Matters
In Paul's day, the church in Rome struggled with disunity over whether Christians could eat meat from animals which had been sacrificed to idols. We might tend to minimize this issue since it's something that we don't struggle with, but for diaspora Jews it was deadly serious. They saw themselves as acting in the tradition … Continue reading Motive Matters
Ways of the Potter
Message #20 in From Faith to Faith on Romans 9:14-29: Click this link for the handy dandy screen cast.
Pleasant Street is Gone 