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A Revolution Without Extremism; Mysticism Without Withdrawal (via Henri Nouwen)
Jesus heralds a new kingdom, not based on an ideology that invites extremism, but based on himself. Jesus heralds a spiritual experience, not based on withdrawal from creation, but based on a...
View ArticleYou Are Not Special. You Are Loved. (via Colette Eaton at Mockingbird)
The desire to be unique and special is a voracious master that devours those who feed it. Instead of security, all it gives is a gnawing fear that we are enough. In Jesus, God bids us find peace and...
View ArticleThe Sons Of Martha by Rudyard Kipling
I’m reading a novel that features excerpts from Rudyard Kipling’s poem The Sons Of Martha. I don’t think I’m familiar with it. The poem anyway. I feel great empathy with the sons of Martha here...
View ArticleThe Fruit And Labour Of Friendship (via Bryan Loritts)
Friendship is more than an optional extra. It is a need each of us has. We need to receive and give friendship. Without it we will not grow to be the people that disciples of Jesus should grow to be....
View ArticleThe Rooms We Long To Be In, And The Rooms We’re Actually In (via Casey Wilson...
A very evocative part of the musical Hamilton revolves around the desire to be in the room where decisions are made, to be in the room where those inside are viewed by those outside as decision makers....
View ArticleSalt and Light, Not Habanero Sauce and Flame-Throwers (via Scotty Smith at...
A prayer from Scotty Smith expressing the desire that being salt and light should not leave others feeling bitter and burnt; and that we as God’s people would not take some sort of satisfaction from...
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After The Nick Of Time (via M Craig Barnes)
In stories the hero arrives just in the nick of time. James Bond turns off the detonator with 007 seconds remaining. Han and Chewbacca arrive just as Darth Vader is about to fire on Luke. That sort of...
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The Congregational Grace That Kicks Most Of The Hubris From Pastors Who Aim...
In God’s grace, a pastor learns that they are serving their life’s great ministry, not that they are preparing for it. This grace occurs as the story of God’s people intertwines with theirs, when God’s...
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The Acceptance We Yearn For Finds Us (via Russ Masterson and Scotty Smith)
The desire for acceptance can never be satisfied through the strivings of our own efforts to be acceptable. It can only be satisfied through an acceptance not based on our strivings, but on the basis...
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The Point Of Worship Is Not To Make The Inherited Tradition Relevant To Me,...
If the shared actions of the gathered people of God need to made relevant to each individual that participates it implies that sufficiency is inherent in those participants and the corporate activity...
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The Antioffice (via M Craig Barnes)
From Diary Of A Pastor’s Soul: The Study is the antioffice. Diary Of A Pastor’s Soul, M Craig Barnes, Brazos Press, 2020, pgs 82. I’ve never heard it expressed this way, but this sums up why I call the...
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We Never Get To Create Our Own Lives (via M Craig Barnes)
The greatest mark that the gospel leaves on a soul is not the capacity to never get it wrong, but the capacity to incarnate grace, forgiveness, and community in imperfection. This can only occur when...
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A Pastor’s Soul That Speaks Of Scars, Not Open Wounds (via M Craig Barnes)
The same experiences can lead to a pastor’s soul being an expression of trust and gratitude or lapsing into distance and cynicism. There will be injuries, but scars speak of an experience of healing...
View ArticlePastoral Care As Déjà Vu (via M Craig Barnes)
Craig Barnes writes in reflection on pastoral life and includes and observation about the repetitious nature of pastoral care. Frustration, care, and even and ambition can lead a pastor to resentment...
View ArticleEffective Application Begins With The Christian’s Identity, Not The...
Applying the Bible in new covenant terms encourages disciples of Jesus to know who they are, to know the life that is our relationship with God. Otherwise application can simply sound like stop this,...
View ArticleWhen The Happiest Time Of The Year Is The Hardest Time Of The Year (via...
Vaneetha Rendall Risner has experienced loss and abandonment, which means her words about her experience of observing Christmas while heart-broken come from a place of personal experience and...
View ArticleWhat To Do On The Worst Day Of Your Life (via Connor B Gwin)
I know a few folk who are having some bad days. Time will tell if they’re the worst days of their lives. I would hope they’d be spared too many that are worse. This poem from Connor Gwin resonates with...
View ArticleThe Christian Life Embraces Both What We’re Saved From And What We’re Saved...
Disciples of Jesus are a saved people; disciples of Jesus are a reconciled people. Our lives express thankfulness for forgiveness, but also can’t help but bring healing and reconciliation to...
View ArticleThe Power At Work When We Mean The Creed (via Garry Williams at Evangelicals...
When Christians state the Apostles Creed when they gather. It is a simple act of will to say the words. It is a supernatural event when we mean the words. It is a distinction worth reflecting upon; if...
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The Day The Church Visible Gathers With The Church Eternal And Looks Forward...
I’ve adopted a statement in my funerals for church members that they “have departed from the church visible and joined the church eternal”. Last Sunday some churches observe a day named All Saints Day,...
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