Photos on Daniel Rose: The Pastor Next Door

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:36:15 -0400

I begin preaching Amos Sunday! The trepidation is real. This is not going to be a lighthearted or easy series to preach. 😮‍💨

@faith@piefeed.com

Dragons, Monsters, and the Powers Behind the Curtain

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:16:18 -0400

A Study in Revelation 13

You can listen to the full unabridged audio here: Dragons, Monsters, and the Powers Behind the Curtain

We’re deep in dragon-and-monster territory now. If you’ve been following along in Revelation, you know we’re not exactly in cheerful, Hallmark-card Christianity. And that’s precisely the point.

Before we dive into the text itself, a quick note on Bible navigation: all those chapter and verse numbers? They weren’t in the original. They were added later to help people find their place — and the running joke among Bible scholars is that the divisions were made by a monk on horseback, because the breaks don’t always make sense. Case in point: N.T. Wright ends chapter 12 where the NIV begins chapter 13. If you want to experience Scripture fresh, try copying a passage into a plain document, stripping out the chapter and verse numbers, and reading it without those interpretive interruptions.

Now, on to the monsters.

The First Monster: Empire and Its Machinery

“I saw a monster coming up out of the sea. It had 10 horns and seven heads… The dragon gave the monster its power and its throne and great authority.” — Revelation 13:1–2

For the Jewish imagination, the sea was never just water. It was chaos. It was the unknown. The great terrors — Behemoth, Leviathan — came from the deep. Storms rolled in off the Mediterranean. The sea was fear itself. So when a monster rises from it, the symbolism hits hard.

This monster is a composite. It draws together all four beasts from Daniel 7 — the winged lion, the bear with tusks, the four-headed leopard, the iron-toothed fourth beast — into one terrifying figure. First-century Christians would have recognized this immediately. They’d been living with Daniel’s images for generations, asking: When will God overthrow the empires that oppress us?

N.T. Wright reads the first monster as Rome — the dominant political and military power of John’s day. And he makes a crucial observation: Rome was the obvious candidate in the first century, but “the phenomenon of heartless, dehumanized pagan empire sadly did not end with the decline and demise of Rome.” The monster changes outfits. It doesn’t change nature.

Behind the monster stands the dragon — Satan, the accuser, the one pulling the strings. But Satan is not omnipresent, not omniscient. He can’t be everywhere at once. So how does he multiply his influence? Through systems. Through empires. Through the structures of power that do the dirty work on his behalf.

We can trace this across history:

The Ottoman Empire
Nazi Germany
Any structure that systematically dehumanizes human beings made in God’s image

Wherever you see power being used to crush, to dehumanize, to sow chaos rather than order — that is the fingerprint of the monster.

Identifying the Monster in Our Own Time

This raises an uncomfortable question: How do we know when we’re looking at the monster?

It’s not always obvious. And we have to hold our conclusions with humility — we will not be right every time. But Scripture gives us tools for discernment.

Paul’s letters offer what you might call diagnostic lists. In Galatians, Colossians, and Ephesians, he describes both the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. We can use these as a lens:

Is this power fomenting anger, malice, chaos, fear? That aligns with the works of the flesh.
Is this power producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control? That aligns with the Spirit.

We’re not asking whether a political movement is explicitly building the church. We’re asking: What is the general direction of this thing? What does it produce in people?

Sometimes it remains ambiguous. Sometimes — painfully — it becomes clear. Either way, our calling as followers of Jesus is to stay alert, to exercise discernment, and to push back against dehumanizing power wherever we find it. That’s not a political statement. That’s faithfulness to the One who said blessed are the peacemakers and love your enemies.

The Second Monster: The Local Face of Empire

“Then I saw another monster coming up from the earth. It had two horns like those of a lamb. It spoke like a dragon.” — Revelation 13:11

If the first monster is the empire, the second monster is the local enforcement apparatus — the provincial governors, the regional officials, the people who make the empire’s demands feel personal and immediate.

In Rome’s case, these were the governors assigned to newly conquered provinces. Men like Pilate. Their job was to keep the emperor’s cult alive at the local level — building temples, demanding worship, integrating emperor veneration into every trade guild and marketplace. They gained power by being loyal fanatics. The more devoted they appeared to the emperor, the more they rose.

Notice the description: horns like a lamb, but the voice of a dragon. This is mimicry. It looks gentle. It looks approachable. It looks almost like a sacrificial lamb. But what comes out of its mouth? The words of the dragon. It’s a counterfeit savior — a fake lamb with a borrowed voice.

Paul picks up on this same dynamic in Colossians 1. That magnificent passage about Christ — “the image of the invisible God,” “firstborn over all creation,” “in him all things hold together” — Paul is deliberately co-opting the language Caesar used for himself. He’s saying, in effect: You’re fake. This is the real Son of God. Your claims are hollow.

The second monster reveals how evil scales down. The dragon works through the first monster. The first monster empowers the second. The second brings it all the way to your neighborhood, your trade guild, your school board meeting. We’re watching the same downstream effect in our own time — decades of national-level chaos filtering down into local communities, neighbor distrusting neighbor, institutions losing their credibility, everyone shouting and nobody listening.

The media, in many ways, fits this pattern: outwardly presenting as trustworthy and authoritative — horns like a lamb — while increasingly speaking in the voice of the dragon, amplifying division, rage, and mistrust.

666: The Number of Falling Short

“This calls for wisdom. Anyone with a good head on their shoulders should work out the monster’s number, because it is the number of a human being. Its number is 666.” — Revelation 13:18

Every generation finds a new candidate for 666. Credit cards. Bar codes. Vaccines. Microchips. The paranoia cycles on. But once again, we need to think symbolically before we think literally.

There are two compelling interpretations worth holding together:

The historical reading: In Hebrew numerology, each letter carries a numerical value. The Hebrew spelling of Nero Caesar adds up to 666. Given that Nero’s face was literally on every coin — and you couldn’t buy or sell without using coins — “receiving the mark of 666” had an almost mundane literalness to it. You couldn’t participate in the economy without using Nero’s image.

The symbolic reading: Seven is the number of wholeness and completion throughout Revelation. Six falls short of seven. So 666 is the ultimate coming up short — the number of striving toward perfection and failing at every level. It is the number of humanity in its fallenness.

The monster isn’t superhuman. The monster is profoundly, catastrophically subhuman — comprised of fallen people, animated by fallen institutions, producing the worst of what we’re capable of.

Think of it this way: governments are made of people. Media is made of people. Empires are built and sustained by people. Our collective brokenness doesn’t just stay private — it accumulates, institutionalizes, and becomes monstrous. That’s what 666 points to.

The Hard Word at the End

“This is a summons for God’s holy people to be patient and have faith.” — Revelation 13:10

This is what we’re left with. Not a battle plan. Not a political strategy. Not a program. Patience. Faith.

It’s an almost brutally simple word. And it comes right after John has just told his readers that some of them will be taken captive and some will be killed. Be patient and have faith.

That’s not Pollyanna Christianity. That’s not the prosperity gospel. That’s the hard way of Jesus — the way of the cross, the way of turned cheeks and enemies blessed and suffering received without retaliation.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood this. Before the Civil Rights marches, protesters were reminded: You are going out to break unjust laws. You will be arrested. You need to receive that arrest. If you cannot love the people who are about to arrest you, don’t go. The means matter. The ends never justify the means for a follower of Jesus. The power of that witness came precisely from the willingness to face consequences with dignity.

We’re not facing active persecution the way John’s first readers were. We should be grateful for that. But the call is the same: identify the monsters. Name what we see. Push against dehumanizing power. Do it with love and without illusions. Receive the consequences if they come.

Because death doesn’t win. It already lost. That’s the whole point of Easter.

A Final Note on Where We Stand

Someone asked a good question: As believers, are we still 666 until we get to heaven?

Here’s the theological answer: positionally, no. Paul doesn’t address his letters to “you dirty, rotten sinners” — even in Corinth. He writes to the saints. Because of Christ, positionally, we’ve been made whole. We’re sevens.

Practically? We all know what’s going on in our own hearts. We’re in process. We’re being sanctified. And that means we hold our discernment with an open hand and genuine humility. We will not always get this right. We will sometimes mistake a lamb for a dragon, and a dragon for a lamb. The goal isn’t certainty — it’s faithfulness. Pressing on. Staying alert. Trusting the Spirit who leads us into all truth.

We are, as one person put it, at about 6.99.

Next week: Revelation 14.

This post is adapted from a teaching in our ongoing series through the book of Revelation.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:40:49 -0400

When any world leader proclaims the death of a civilization, it is reprehensible. To so callously treat image bearers of God in such a way is despicable, if not evil. To glory in death and destruction is abhorrent.

The Stories Are True: A Resurrection Sunday Reflection

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:08:25 -0400

If you would like to listen to the unabridged message listen here: The Stories Are True

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb.

She wasn’t expecting a miracle. She was expecting a body.

That detail matters more than we usually let it.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20:1-18, NIV

A Race and a Garden

John’s account of the resurrection is my favorite of the four gospels — partly because of its theology, but honestly, partly because of its humor.

When Peter and John hear the news from Mary, they run to the tomb. And John, writing about himself in third person as “the disciple Jesus loved,” can’t resist noting — three times — that he reached the tomb first. You can almost see Peter rolling his eyes as he reads the manuscript. Two guys, one of the most significant moments in human history, and John is still keeping score on who won the footrace.

It’s holy and hilarious. It’s the kind of thing only real friends do.

But then the tone shifts.

Resurrection Begins in Not Knowing

We arrive at Easter Sunday dressed in our pastels, ready to celebrate. We know how the story ends. But that first resurrection morning? It was disorienting. Confusing. Heartbreaking.

Mary had watched Jesus crucified. She watched them take the body down. She watched Joseph of Arimathea lay him in the tomb and seal it with a stone. She came before daybreak to tend to his body — to offer him the dignity of proper burial rites. It was the last thing she could do for him.

And the stone was gone. The body was gone. The story, as far as she could tell, was over.

When she looks into the tomb a second time, she sees angels — and here’s something worth pausing on: this is the only appearance of angels in the Gospels where they don’t say “Do not be afraid.” They simply ask, “Why are you crying?”

Mary was so overwhelmed with grief that fear wasn’t even on the table.

She turns and sees a man she assumes is the gardener. She still doesn’t understand. And this, I think, is one of the most honest things the resurrection stories give us: resurrection often brings disorientation before it brings clarity.

We like to think that encountering the risen Christ produces immediate, confident faith. But the resurrection of Christ upends everything we think we know — especially the most basic thing: that death is final. That when someone dies, the story is over. Turn the page, close the book, put it back on the shelf.

Resurrection refuses that logic. And that refusal is disorienting.

I remember sitting in a dorm room at Illinois State with a college student, talking about the gospel. He stopped me and said — and I’m cleaning up his language — “So let me get this straight. I’ve been a dirtbag my whole life. I’ve done really bad things. And you’re telling me that Jesus, who doesn’t even know me, died for my sins 2,000 years ago — and I’m just forgiven? And I don’t have to do anything?”

“Yeah,” I told him. “You trust Christ and grace is yours.”

He looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “There’s no way God would do this for me.”

I couldn’t argue him into it. The resurrection doesn’t always produce clarity. Sometimes it just produces holy confusion — because the grace it announces is so radical, so reckless, so completely outside the logic of how the world works, that the only honest response is: this doesn’t make sense.

Easter begins in not knowing.

The Second Garden

There’s a detail in John’s account that’s easy to miss: this tomb was in a garden.

That’s not incidental.

The story of God’s people begins in a garden — and in that first garden, everything comes apart. Creation is broken. Relationship is fractured. The whole thing unravels.

But here, in this second garden, things are being put back together. Repaired. Redeemed. Renewed.

Jesus is the gardener of a new creation.

And his entire ministry up to this point? He’s been planting seeds. Seeds scattered along a path. A lost son returning home. An enemy showing radical mercy. A tax collector crying out in humble unworthiness. Seed after seed after seed. Little previews of something just over the horizon.

The cross is a burial. Resurrection is growth. In this garden, what was buried begins to live.

One Word

Mary is standing in the garden, weeping, confused, speaking to a man she thinks is the caretaker — and then it happens.

He says one word.

“Mary.”

That’s it. Her name. And everything changes.

It’s like that moment in The Wizard of Oz when the black-and-white world suddenly bursts into color. One word, and the whole landscape transforms.

Jesus doesn’t offer her a philosophical argument for the resurrection. He doesn’t walk her through the messianic prophecies of Isaiah and Micah. He doesn’t present a doctrinal treatise. He simply says her name.

And in that moment, she knows she is known.

This is, I think, one of the most beautiful things about grace. Faith isn’t born from understanding. It’s rooted in being known. The God who knows everything about us — everything — still gave himself for us. Still rose for us. And in the moment we realize we are known by this Jesus, something breaks open.

Resurrection happens by name.

Mary. Dan. Sarah. Bill.

Pick your name.

The Stories Were Never Just Ideals

Here’s what the resurrection does to everything that came before it.

All those parables — the seeds, the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the Pharisee and the tax collector — they weren’t principles to live by. They weren’t inspirational ideals. They were previews. They were seeds pointing toward a harvest that only resurrection could produce.

Without the resurrection, the sower’s seeds die in the rocks and on the road. Nothing grows.

Without the resurrection, the father running toward his returning son isn’t a picture of grace — he’s just a doormat. A man being taken advantage of. It doesn’t mean anything.

Without the resurrection, the neighbor who stops to help his enemy on the side of the road isn’t modeling love — he’s just a fool. A waste. Naive.

Without the resurrection, the tax collector who cries out “I am not worthy” is left exactly there — in his shame, in his hopelessness, with no answer to his prayer.

But because Christ is risen, those seeds bear fruit.

That father’s mercy is real grace — the grace of one who has given himself completely. The neighbor’s love isn’t foolishness; it’s the way of resurrection, the way of a cross rooted in self-sacrificial love. And the one who knows he is unworthy is lifted up, welcomed in, his name spoken.

The parables were always true. We just needed resurrection to prove it.

What This Means Now

Death is not final. Not anymore.

Grace is not fragile. It cannot be broken — it is reckless and overwhelming and radical, because resurrection backs it up.

And no matter where you find yourself in your story, that story is not over. It never will be. Because at any moment, you might hear your name — and everything will make sense. Everything will be transformed.

Christ is risen.

The stories are true.

Heavenly Father, this Resurrection Sunday, we are grateful that all the stories are true. We are grateful that we have heard our names. And if we haven’t yet — open our ears and our hearts, so that we might. So that we might receive the radical and reckless grace rooted in self-sacrificial love, because of the cross and the resurrection. Christ is risen and the stories are true. Amen.

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:56:39 -0400

I just love Tigers Opening Day! Bless you boys!

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:53:37 -0400

The current situation. 🤣

Beyond Sunday School - Behid the Cosmic Curtain

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:05:53 -0400

You can listen to the full unabridged audio here: Revelation 8 - Behind the Cosmic Curtain

We are moving further up and further into the book of Revelation, specifically entering the “third cycle” of the vision in chapter 12. If you were making a TV show about the apocalypse but wanted to keep the source material a secret, this is where you would start. It’s mysterious, cosmic, and feels like a “behind the curtain” look at the universe.

However, for many readers, this is the point where the “brain on drugs” effect kicks in. The imagery is wild: a woman clothed in the sun, a seven-headed red dragon, and a cosmic war. But John is actually incredibly helpful here. He gives us a specific clue right at the start: “A great sign.”

The Language of Symbols

When John calls these “signs,” he is tipping us off. We shouldn’t take these descriptions literally. There isn’t a giant woman giving birth in space, nor a physical dragon waiting to eat a baby. These are symbols—snapshots of a deeper reality.

In these verses, we meet three primary figures:

The Male Child: This is the clearest symbol. He is the Christ. John connects him to Psalm 2:9, a Messianic prophecy about the one who will rule the nations with an iron scepter.
The Dragon: Identified later as the serpent, the devil, or Satan—the accuser.
The Woman: This is where the debate usually happens.

Who is the Woman?

There are three main theories regarding the identity of the pregnant woman:

Theory	The Logic	The Verdict
Mary	She is the literal mother of Jesus.	A bit too narrow for the cosmic scope of the passage.
Eve	Referring to the “seed” in Genesis 3:15 that would crush the serpent’s head.	Possible, but doesn’t quite fit the “12 stars” imagery.
The People of God	The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes (Israel) and the 12 apostles (the Church).	Most likely. She represents the continuous story of God’s people.

By identifying the woman as the People of God, we see that we are not just spectators in this story; we are participants. As the “offspring” of this woman, we are part of the cosmic struggle to bring the way of Jesus into a broken world.

The Strategy of the Enemy

The dragon stands before the woman, ready to devour the child the moment he is born. This is a compacted version of the Gospel. On Good Friday, the enemy thought he had won. He was waiting with jaws open as Jesus hung on the cross.

But the “trick” was on the enemy. As C.S. Lewis illustrated in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, there is a “deeper magic.” When the innocent dies for the guilty, death cannot hold them. The child was “snatched up to God and to his throne.” The resurrection and ascension were the ultimate victory, leaving the dragon defeated and furious.

War in Heaven and Hope on Earth

The passage describes a war between Michael and the dragon. The dragon is hurled down to earth, and he is filled with fury because he knows his time is short.

It is important to remember a few things about the enemy:

He is not divine. He is a created being.
He is not omnipresent. He can only be in one place at a time.
He is limited.

While the dragon wages war against the “rest of her offspring” (us), we are given a roadmap for victory:

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

The Bottom Line

Revelation 12 might seem “weird,” but its message is profoundly encouraging. The dragon has already lost. The victory is won through the blood of the Lamb. Whether we face personal struggles or systemic “unclean lips” in the world around us, we hold fast to our testimony.

We persevere because we know how the story ends: Christ is on the throne, and His victory is ours.

Glory Upside Down: A Palm Sunday Reflection

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:59:27 -0400

You can listen to the unabridged post here: Glory Upside Down

Today is Palm Sunday—our annual reminder that the Kingdom of God doesn’t break into the world through tanks, armies, or military might. It doesn’t arrive with a show of force. Instead, it shows up on the back of a donkey, carried by a King who knows He is going to die.

Palm Sunday is a day of deep irony. We call it “Palm Sunday” because the crowds waved branches and shouted “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem. They treated Him like a conquering hero, but He wasn’t the kind of hero they wanted. In just a few days, those same crowds would turn on Him because He didn’t overthrow Rome. He didn’t play their game.

Because that’s not how the Kingdom comes. The Kingdom of God comes through a crucified Savior who reconciles all things by giving Himself away.

When the “Hour” Finally Arrives

In John 12:20-36, we see a pivotal shift in Jesus’ ministry. Up until this point, Jesus has spent most of His time telling people, “My hour has not yet come.” But then, something specific happens: Some Greeks show up.

These were likely Gentiles—seekers who had traveled to worship at the festival. They approach Philip with a simple request: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” When Philip and Andrew bring this request to Jesus, His response is startling. He doesn’t say, “Sure, send them in,” or “I’m too busy.” He says:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

Why did these Greek travelers trigger that response? Because their arrival signaled that the Gospel was now moving beyond Israel to the whole world. This was the moment of redemption Jesus had been waiting for.

Redefining Glory

When we think of “glory,” we think of trophies, applause, and positions of power. We think of being on top. But for Jesus, glory looked like a Roman cross.

Jesus knew exactly what was coming. He wasn’t living in a “Pollyanna” fantasy; He explicitly says, “My soul is troubled.” He knew the arrest, the abuse, and the suffocation of the cross were imminent. Yet, He calls this His glory.

This flips everything we know upside down:

The world’s glory is about self-promotion and influence.
Christ’s glory is about self-sacrificial love.

If we claim to follow the Christ of the cross while chasing the glory of the world—bigger houses, more power, or political dominance—we have to ask ourselves: Which King are we actually following?

The Secret of the Seed

Jesus offers a paradox in verse 24: “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Eugene Peterson’s The Message puts it beautifully:

“If you hold on to life just as it is, you destroy that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.”

We often try to “white-knuckle” our lives. We try to control every outcome, fix every problem, and protect ourselves at all costs. But like a cycle of addiction, the harder we grip, the more things fall apart. The “better way” is the way of reckless love. It’s the willingness to let go of self-protection and show up for others.

A Challenge for Holy Week

As we enter Holy Week and prepare our hearts for Easter, I want to challenge us to look for places where we can practice this reckless, self-sacrificial love.

Look to the fringes: Who is being ignored or marginalized?
Let go of “deserving”: We don’t deserve Christ’s love, yet He gave it freely. Who can you love this week who “doesn’t deserve it”?
Follow Him where He is: Jesus isn’t found in the halls of power; He is found at the cross, on the edges, and with the broken.

We don’t have to be nailed to a cross—Jesus already did that. But we are called to take up our cross daily. This week, may we die to our self-centeredness so that our lives might produce fruit that points the world back to the Savior.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that our lives this week would reflect the kernel of wheat that falls to the ground. May we die to ourselves so that we might produce life in others. Help us to love recklessly, just as our Savior loved us, so that the world might see Your glory. Amen.

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:47:56 -0400

Happy new year! The links are open and the golf balls are being lost and found.

1.6 A Rule of Life for Ordinary People 🎙️

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:02:52 -0400

A Rule of Life isn’t about rigid structure or spiritual perfection—it’s about creating a simple, sustainable way of life that keeps you rooted in grace.

In this episode, we bring together everything from Season 1—attention, strength, flexibility, and recovery—and shape it into a rhythm you can actually live. Not an ideal life. Your real one.

We explore how small, intentional practices can form a life of endurance without becoming burdens, and how grace—not pressure—holds it all together.

If you’ve ever wanted a way to live your faith that feels grounded, realistic, and deeply human, this is a place to begin.

Gospel Anchor: John 15 — “Abide in me.”

In this episode:

Why a Rule of Life is about freedom, not control
How to build rhythms that fit your actual life
The danger of overcommitting spiritually
How consistency matters more than intensity
A simple framework to begin your own Rule of Life

One simple step:

Choose one small daily practice and one weekly rhythm. Start there. Let it grow slowly.

Transcript

Revelation 7 - Sweet as Honey, Bitter in the Stomach

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:50:57 -0400

To listen to the full unabridged episode: Revelation 7 - Sweet as Honey, Bitter in the Stomach

One of the most important habits we can develop when reading Revelation is remembering what kind of text we’re reading. It’s easy to open a Bible and forget that the various books represent different genres — you wouldn’t read the Psalms the same way you’d read 1 Kings, and you wouldn’t read 1 Kings the same way you’d read Philippians. Revelation is its own thing entirely.

This is a text of apocalypse — a revealing, a peeling back of spiritual realities. It’s written primarily in metaphor and symbol, giving us word pictures of things that are real but not literal. Not history. Not a timeline. A vision.

Revelation 10: Eating the Scroll

Chapter 10 opens with a striking figure: a strong angel descending from heaven, dressed in a cloud, rainbow over his head, face like the sun, feet like fiery pillars. He holds a small open scroll and cries out with a voice like a lion’s roar. Seven thunders respond — and then John is told not to write down what they said.

Even in this text full of revelation, some things are held back. Whatever the seven thunders communicated, it wasn’t yet time for those words to go out. There are things we simply cannot comprehend, and God, in his wisdom, withholds them.

Then John is told to take the scroll and eat it. The angel warns him: “It will be bitter in your stomach, sweet as honey in your mouth.”

And that’s exactly what happens.

The sweetness is God’s word itself — his plan is wonderful and beautiful. The bitterness is what that word contains: hard warnings, difficult prophecies, the reality that following Jesus in a broken world is not easy. The prophet’s task is to speak what is true and what is coming, and much of what is coming is painful.

This is consistent with other prophetic calls throughout Scripture — Ezekiel, Daniel, and others received similar commissioning. The word is sweet. But once it becomes part of you, once it shapes your calling, it’s going to be hard.

N.T. Wright makes an important observation here: prophecy is a creative act. When a prophet speaks something into the world, something happens. This is a theme that runs through all of Scripture, back to Genesis 1 — God spoke, and things came to be. John eating the scroll is him taking God’s words into himself, making them his own, so that they can go out from him with creative force.

Revelation 11: The Temple, the Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet

Chapter 11 opens with John being handed a measuring rod and told to measure the temple — but not the outer court. This parallels the sealing of God’s people earlier in Revelation: the measuring represents protection from ultimate harm. And yet, the outer court is left vulnerable. The people of God will experience suffering and hardship. That’s part of the deal.

Notice the numbers: three and a half years, 1,260 days, 42 months. These all say the same thing. And what is double three and a half? Seven — the number of completion. The suffering of God’s people is incomplete. It is half a measure. It is not the final word.

This is not a timeline to map onto history. It’s the message: you will suffer, but you will not be destroyed.

The Two Witnesses

Then we meet two prophetic figures — and here is where the imaginative speculation usually kicks in. Moses? Elijah? Elisha? People have proposed all kinds of answers.

But there’s a clue in the text itself. Verse 4 calls them the two olive trees and the two lamp stands. Earlier in Revelation, what did the lamp stands represent? The seven churches. The church.

Wright’s summary is apt: the two witnesses appear to be a symbol for the whole church in its prophetic witness, its faithful death, and its vindication by God.

The church, bearing witness in the world, will face opposition. The “monster from the abyss” — which later chapters reveal to be the power of pagan empire, embodied by Rome — will make war on it. The witnesses are killed. Their bodies lie in the street of the city “spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified” — that is, Rome itself, or the whole public order of empire.

And then they are resurrected. A voice from heaven says: “Come up here.” And they ascend.

This is the message to a persecuted church: yes, the world will hate you. Yes, following Jesus will cost you. Some of you will actually die for your faith. But resurrection is real. The hope of resurrection is what enables us to press on.

History bears this out in a striking way. In the early centuries of the church, one of the primary drivers of growth was the martyrdom of Christians. They were known in their communities for caring for the poor, for living with integrity, for embodying the way of Jesus. And when they were executed, they didn’t recant. They stood firm. People saw this and were undone by it — and came to faith. The church has always grown through persecution. It still does. The places where the church is struggling today are often the places where it has become too comfortable, too entangled with cultural and political power.

Suffering, it turns out, produces the kinds of things that ease never can.

The Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Has Come

The cycle closes in verses 15–19 with the seventh trumpet. The voices in heaven cry out:

“Now the kingdom of the world has passed to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”

The 24 elders worship. And notice something subtle but significant in verse 17: God is described as “who is and who was” — not “who is to come.” Because he has come. The one who was expected has arrived. The wait is over.

The raging nations are judged. The destroyers are destroyed. The servants — prophets, holy ones, small and great, all who fear God’s name — are rewarded. Remember the martyrs in earlier chapters crying out, “How long, O Lord?” Here is the answer. Here is the justice they were promised.

This is not a military conquest. There is no great Christian army sweeping through the earth. It is simply this: Christ has returned, and therefore his kingdom has come. Righteousness and justice prevail — not because we won, but because he did.

A Note on “New Heaven, New Earth”

One question that came up in our conversation: if Revelation speaks of a new heaven and new earth, does that mean the old creation gets burned up and replaced?

Wright pushes back on this reading — and I think rightly so. The popular notion that “everything’s going to get burned up anyway, so what does it matter?” is a relatively recent invention, largely pieced together in the mid-1800s from fragments of Scripture taken out of context.

What Scripture actually describes is renewal, not destruction. God declared his creation good in Genesis 1, and he is not abandoning it. The resurrection of Jesus — still recognizably Jesus, but glorified — is the template. Creation doesn’t get replaced; it gets redeemed. Sin and death are removed. Everything is made whole.

As one person in our group put it beautifully: nothing that what God created will be wasted.

Looking Ahead

Next session we move into Revelation 12 — and things get considerably stranger. Women, dragons, cosmic war. We’re going further up and further into the spiritual realm.

If you want to join us in person, we gather on Tuesday afternoons at Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint. We’d love to have you.

Parables for the Long Way Home - Beyond the Catchphrase

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 19:59:03 -0400

To listen to the full unabridged message listen here: Beyond the Catchphrase

We are currently journeying through the parables of Luke, leading up to Lent. Last week, we looked at the Prodigal Son—or perhaps more accurately, the parable of the Loving Father and the Angry Brother. This week, we turn to one of the most famous stories ever told: The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The term “Good Samaritan” has become a cultural fixture. We have Good Samaritan laws, hospitals, and charities. It’s become shorthand for “a nice person who helps out.” But if we look closely at Luke 10, we see that Jesus wasn’t just giving a lesson on being “nice.” He was issuing a radical, scandalous challenge to our tendency to categorize who is—and isn’t—worthy of our love.

The Setup: A Test of Limits

The story begins with an expert in religious law standing up to test Jesus. He asks, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus points him back to the Law. The man recites what had become the shorthand for the Ten Commandments: Love God with everything you are, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus affirms this, but the man—seeking to justify himself—asks the million-dollar question: “And who is my neighbor?”

This wasn’t an innocent question. He was looking for a boundary. He wanted to know the minimum requirements. He wanted a list of who he had to love so he could feel justified in ignoring everyone else.

The Reversal: Heroes and Villains

In response, Jesus tells the story of a man beaten and left for dead on the notoriously dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

The Priest: He sees the man and passes by on the other side.
The Levite: A man dedicated to God’s service, he also sees the man and passes by.
The Samaritan: To Jesus’ audience, this was the “bad guy.”

The animosity between Jews and Samaritans was deep-seated, involving both religious disputes and ethnic tension. Jews often took long detours specifically to avoid Samaria. To the expert in the law, a Samaritan was a heretic and an outsider.

Yet, the Samaritan is the one who stops. He doesn’t just offer a quick prayer; he gets his hands dirty. He bandages wounds, uses his own resources (oil, wine, and his donkey), takes the man to an inn, and pays two denarii—roughly two days’ wages—promising to cover any extra costs.

Neighbor as a Verb

At the end of the story, Jesus asks: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man?”

The expert in the law can’t even bring himself to say the word “Samaritan.” He simply replies, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Notice the shift. The lawyer asked for a definition of “neighbor” as a noun—an object or a category of person. Jesus turns “neighbor” into a verb. He asks who acted neighborly.

Being a neighbor isn’t a state of mind or a social category; it is an action. It demands engagement. It is not “performative activism” or changing a profile picture; it is diverting your path, spending your money, and risking your safety for someone else.

Modern-Day Samaritans

If Jesus were telling this story today, who would he make the hero?

In 1969, Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) provided a powerful modern illustration. During a time of intense racial segregation—where black and white Americans often couldn’t even share the same swimming pools—Mr. Rogers invited Officer Clemmons, a black man, to sit with him and soak his feet in a small kiddie pool.

It was a simple act, but in 1969, it was a “doing.” It was an act of neighborly love that broke social barriers to provide rest and rejuvenation to another image-bearer of God.

The Challenge: Who is Your “Samaritan”?

We all have scorecards. We justify our lack of love by looking at:

Political parties
Ethnicity or race
Sexual ethics
Socioeconomic status
Religious backgrounds

We create lists of people who are “disqualified” from our compassion so we can feel okay about denying them love. But in the Kingdom of God, there is no enemy—there is only the neighbor.

This week, I challenge you to wrestle with this question: > Who would Jesus make the hero of the story if he were telling it specifically to you?

Identify the group or the person you find it hardest to love, and ask God for an opportunity to show them “neighborly” mercy. This isn’t just about being a “good person”; it’s about the Jesus way.

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:31:24 -0400

Bums in seats at the best barn in the nation. Go Blue! 🏒

1.5 Recovery - Rest, Burnout, and the Grace to Begin Again

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:48:39 -0400

In this episode of The Pastor Next Door, we shift our focus from the pressure of “growth” to the necessity of recovery. Spiritual fatigue is real, and often, what we mistake for a lack of faith is simply a soul in need of rest.

The Anatomy of Spiritual Fatigue

We often treat burnout as a badge of spiritual honor, but in reality, constant exertion without recovery leads to:

Cynicism & Numbness: Seeing only failure and hypocrisy in the world and the church.
Over-functioning: The inability to say “no” because we believe everything depends on us.
Performing Faith: Putting on a “costume” of perfection instead of being authentically present.
Resentment: Feeling bitter toward others who are actually practicing the rest we ignore.

What Sabbath Actually Is

Sabbath is more than a day off; it is a theological declaration.

It is an act of trust: A practical way of saying, “I believe God will keep the world spinning without me.”
It is resistance: Sabbath pushes back against the urge for self-justification and the “functional atheism” of constant busyness.
It is a Creation Rhythm: Just as nature goes through seasons of dormancy to prepare for spring, our souls require “winter” to produce new growth.

“Rest is not quitting. Rest is trusting.”

Practical Steps to Begin Again

If you are spiritually exhausted, you don’t need to compensate or apologize. You can return quietly.

Start Small: One honest prayer (even if it’s just “What the heck, God?”) is enough.
Physical First: Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap and have a snack.
Digital Limits: Turn off the screens and stop the doom-scrolling to protect your inner quiet.
Embrace Solitude over Isolation: Seek quiet time that prepares you for community, rather than hiding from it.

Closing Thought

Jesus doesn’t ask us to come to him once we’ve fixed ourselves. He asks the weary and heavy-burdened to come exactly as they are. Grace does not expire, and your worth is not a social media “streak.”

Next Week: We wrap up the season by discussing how to build a simple, sustainable Rule of Life.

Transcript

Revelation 6 - Navigating the Storm

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:57:15 -0400

You can listen to the unabridged audio here: Revelation 6 - Navigating the Storm

In our latest study of Revelation, we dove into chapters 8 and 9—a section of Scripture that is as intense as it is misunderstood. We’ve transitioned from the opening of the seven seals into a new cycle: the seven trumpets.

To understand where we are, we have to use a “fancy $10 word”: recapitulation. Revelation isn’t necessarily a straight line from A to Z; it’s a series of cycles that go back to the beginning to cover the same ground with different symbols, taking us “further up and further in” to the spiritual reality of God’s work in the world.

Trumpets as Warnings, Not Predictions

As the angels begin to blow the seven trumpets, we encounter vivid, harrowing imagery: hail and fire mixed with blood, mountains falling into the sea, and stars turning water bitter.

It is easy to get lost in trying to “decode” these as literal historical events or modern technology, but we must remember:

Trumpets are Warnings: In the Old Testament, trumpets were alarms—calls to alert the people of approaching danger or a call to repentance.
Symbolism Over Literalism: These images paint a picture of how seriously God takes sin. If God literally laid waste to a third of the planet, His original mission for creation would be a failure—and God is no failure.
Plagues and Liberation: The imagery of these trumpets mirrors the plagues of Egypt. Just as those plagues led to the freedom of the Israelites, these “plagues” represent the necessary, radical surgery required to uproot the evil systems that enslave humanity.

The Abyss Within

Chapter 9 takes us into “nightmare fodder”—the opening of the abyss and the release of locusts that look like war horses. Rather than looking for attack helicopters in the text, we should see this as the unveiling of the human heart.

The “abyss” is often the depth of our own sinfulness and brokenness. Throughout history, God often restrains this evil, but Revelation shows us what happens when sin is allowed to come out into the open to be dealt with once and for all. The ultimate “exposure” of sin occurred on the cross, where Christ took the full weight of that darkness upon Himself so that we might find grace.

The Root of the Matter: Idolatry

The chapter ends on a sobering note. Despite these warnings and the collapse of oppressive systems, many “did not repent of the things they had made”.

This is the heartbeat of the issue: Idolatry. Whether it’s ancient idols or modern systems of power and greed, when we worship things other than our Creator, our sin goes unchecked. We create systems—economic, political, and social—that reflect our messy hearts.

Takeaway

The “woes” of Revelation are not meant to terrify us into hiding, but to wake us up. They remind us that the spiritual realm is real and that our relationship with God matters. God provides the “breathing space” for us to turn back to Him, to acknowledge our need for grace, and to find our identity not as “earth dwellers” lost in the material world, but as people sealed by His Spirit.

The Loving Father's Wide Grace

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:27:43 -0400

To hear the full unabridged message listen here: Parables for the Long Way Home - The Loving Father’s Wide Grace

As we continue our journey through Lent, wandering toward the resurrection, there is one story I haven’t been able to escape. It’s a parable that seems to creep into almost every sermon I preach, regardless of the text. It’s the story many of us know as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” but the more I sit with it, the more I’ve fallen in love with a different title: The Parable of the Loving Father.

Found in Luke 15:11-32, this story is a cornerstone of our cultural consciousness. We use the word “prodigal” to describe anyone who wanders away and eventually returns with their tail between their legs. But if we look closer at the cultural context and the second half of the story, we find that Jesus wasn’t just talking about reckless rebels—He was talking to the “good people” standing in the room.

“You’re Dead to Me”

The story begins with a younger son looking at his father and saying, essentially, “Old man, you’re dead to me. Give me what’s mine.” In the first century, asking for an inheritance early wasn’t just rude; it was gut-wrenching. It was a complete rejection of the father’s life and authority.

In an act of overwhelming mercy, the father doesn’t disown him. He divides the estate. But here is the detail we often miss: He divided the property between them. The older son got his payday, too. He likely received the larger portion—the land, the farm, the bulk of the wealth—right then and there.

The Myth of the “Clean” Return

We know what happens next. The younger son squanders everything on “wild living” and ends up starving in a pigpen. To a Jewish audience, this was the ultimate rock bottom. Feeding pigs made him ceremonially unclean; he was getting “worse” by the moment.

When he finally “comes to his senses,” he crafts a manipulative speech: “I’ll tell Dad I’m not worthy to be a son, just let me be a servant.” He’s still trying to manage the situation. But he doesn’t count on the Father’s grace.

The Father, who must have been walking to the end of the road every single day to look for him, sees him from a long way off. He doesn’t wait for the speech. He runs. He embraces the “unclean” son. He throws a party.

The Undercurrent: The Older Brother

If the story ended there, it would be a beautiful tale of redemption. But Jesus’ real targets weren’t the “tax collectors and sinners” listening to Him—it was the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were muttering under their breath.

The older brother returns from the field and hears the music. He is indignant. He’s been “slaving away,” doing the right thing, and he is furious that the “younger loser” is getting a fattened calf.

The tragedy of the older brother is that he doesn’t realize how good he already has it. The father tells him, “Everything I have is yours.” The older brother didn’t need permission to throw a party; the goats and calves already belonged to him! But he was so focused on his brother’s sin that he missed out on his father’s joy.

Where Do You Sit at the Party?

Most of us like to cast ourselves as the younger son because we want the “grace for the screw-up.” But many of us—especially those of us who grew up in the church—are much more like the older brother.

We look at others beginning to taste grace and we think: Not them. They don’t get a pass. They’re grubs, they’re icky, they’re awful. We have a choice:

Stand outside in the dark: Bitter, judgmental, and alone—separating ourselves from the party because we can’t stand who else was invited.
Go inside: Set aside our scorecards and embrace the “overwhelming wideness” of God’s mercy.

The Challenge of Lent

As we progress toward Easter, we are moving toward the moment when God broke into history to say, “I’m tired of waiting. I want my people reconciled.” Christ went to the cross to tear the curtain open so that grace could flow out like a flood.

God’s grace is either a massive, uncontrollable flood, or it is stingy and small. We can’t have it both ways. If we want the flood for ourselves, we have to embrace the flood for everyone else, too.

This week, take a hard look in the mirror. Are you excited about the ever-expanding wideness of God’s mercy, or are you trying to control it?

The party is happening. The Father is inviting you in. Will you join the celebration?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:45:47 -0400

Amy and I are enjoying our brief get away to Iowa City to spend some time with Ethan. We hiked Indiana State Dunes yesterday and Lake MacBride North Shore today.

1.4 Flexibility - Faith that Bends Without Breaking

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:00:43 -0400

About This Episode

In this episode, I’m digging into something I’ve been thinking a lot about in my own physical fitness: flexibility. We often talk about building “strength” in our faith, but strength without the ability to bend leads to injury. If our spiritual muscles are rigid, they’re going to tear when life gets heavy.

I want to talk to you about the difference between a rigid faith and a resilient one. Whether you’re wrestling with questions, feeling the weight of “certainty,” or unlearning things you were taught as a child, I want you to know that a faith that stretches isn’t a faith that’s failing—it’s a faith that’s growing.

Key Takeaways

1. Rigid Faith vs. Resilient Faith

I’ve noticed that some faith collapses under pressure, not because it’s weak, but because it’s brittle. Here is how I see the two:

On Questions: In a rigid faith, there’s no room for them. It feels like a house of cards—take one card out and the whole thing snaps. In a resilient faith, questions are how we grow.
On Certainty: I don’t believe certainty equals maturity. Maturity is rooted in the ability to struggle and go deep. I prefer confidence over certainty.
On Doubt: Some say doubt is rebellion. I argue that doubt is just the flip side of faith. If we’re believing in things unseen, doubt is going to be right there with us.
On Change: We’re often told change is “compromise.” I call it repentance. If we aren’t different people than we were five or ten years ago, we aren’t being transformed by the renewal of our minds.

2. Why I Value Doubt

Doubt isn’t the enemy of your faith; it’s often a signal of three very healthy things:

Deep Thinking: You’re actually engaging with the Word and what it means.
Moral Wrestling: You’re looking at things like the conquest narratives in Joshua and refusing to gloss over the hard parts.
Emotional Honesty: You’re being real with God about your sadness, anger, or confusion.

3. The Necessity of Unlearning

I’ve realized that growth requires “pruning.” My childhood understanding of stories like Noah’s Ark—animals and rainbows—doesn’t survive adult scrutiny. And that’s okay! Shedding distortions and letting go of unhealthy theology isn’t abandoning God; it’s moving closer to who He truly is. Remember: God is not fragile. He can handle your inquiry.

4. Habits for a Flexible Faith

Here’s how I’m trying to cultivate this resiliency in my own life:

Listening before defending: I’m learning to hear someone’s hard questions without jumping in to “fix” them.
Reading broadly: I try to read from a variety of perspectives—progressive, conservative, and even non-Christian—while keeping my anchor in Christ.
Praying honestly: I look to the Psalms as my guide. The writers didn’t sugarcoat a thing, and neither should we.

Reflection from the Word

Galatians 5:1: Christ set us free for freedom—not for a life of being controlled by rigid systems.
Mark 9:24: “I believe; help my unbelief!” This is the ultimate cry of a resilient faith.
John 20: When Thomas asked for evidence, Jesus didn’t lecture or rebuke him. He showed up and met him right in the middle of his doubt.

My Encouragement to You

If your faith feels like it’s stretching right now, don’t panic. That may not be a collapse; it may simply be growth. You are allowed to ask. You are allowed to wrestle. You are allowed to take your time.

Next time, we’re going to talk about Recovery—how grace meets us when we’re burnt out and tired. Until then, remember: bending is not breaking.

Transcript

Parables for the Long Way Home - Mow the Yard, Miss the Point

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:10:49 -0400

For the full unabridged audio: Mow the Yard, Miss the Point

A couple of years ago, I made a commitment — at the very least, I would go for an intentional walk for 15 minutes a day. Not much, but I needed it. I had reached that place in life where I knew I had to start moving, or I was going to lose the ability to. Surely I could walk out my door and around my block. I could do that.

I made the incredibly bad decision to ask a handful of good friends to hold me accountable. By 8 o’clock each night, I needed to text the group and confirm I had gone for my walk.

It was going great — until I got a minor injury. My shoes had worn out, and a leg muscle was making every step uncomfortable. So one evening I mowed the yard instead, tracked the whole thing, and texted the group: Guys, I mowed the yard. That’s my walk for the day.

One of my buddies wasn’t having it. “No, it’s not,” he said. I argued. I showed him the data — 40 minutes of movement. He said, “Yeah, but your commitment wasn’t to mow the yard. Your commitment was to go for an intentional 15-minute walk.”

I lost my mind. I muted the chat and threw an absolute temper tantrum. It was kind of ridiculous.

And then I went for a 15-minute walk.

I texted back: Fine. You win. It took me 30 minutes to get around the block because my leg hurt so bad. My buddy replied: I’m so proud of you. I love you. This is how it’s supposed to work.

I was 46 or 47 years old. It was the first time in my life anyone had ever held me accountable to anything. And I didn’t like it one bit.

What Isaiah Has to Do With It

Isaiah 6 is Isaiah’s call to ministry. It’s that dramatic moment: Who will go for us? And Isaiah says, Here am I — send me. But right there at his commissioning, God essentially says: you’re going to preach my love, my mercy, my grace. You’re going to speak truth to power. You’re going to challenge people in places they don’t want to be challenged. And they are going to turn a blind eye. They’re going into exile.

When you read through Isaiah, it’s heartbreak after heartbreak. There are glimpses of redemption, but Israel still goes into exile.

Jesus understood himself to stand in Isaiah’s lineage. He functioned as prophet, priest, and king — and here, he’s operating as prophet. He tells parables for the same reason Isaiah preached: to reveal things people don’t want to hear.

And notice what he says just before the Isaiah quote — “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” Whenever Jesus talks about the “secret” or “mystery” of the kingdom, it’s always in the sense of something being revealed, not hidden. Paul uses the same language: the mystery is what has been concealed and is now being disclosed. The very next parable Jesus tells is the lamp on a stand: Whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed. Whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.

Parables aren’t meant to confuse. They are the means by which Jesus reveals the nature of the kingdom of God.

What People Expected to Hear

So what is it, exactly, that people didn’t want to hear in the Parable of the Sower?

They expected the kingdom of heaven to be a sweep. The Messiah arrives, the word goes out, everyone bows the knee, and the kingdom wins — and wins big. That’s the expectation.

But Jesus says: actually, some people are going to hear the word and it’ll be gone before they get home. Some will receive it with joy and then disappear the moment things get hard. Some will start down the path but let the worries of life and the pull of wealth choke it out. And some — some — will hear it, receive it, and be completely transformed.

This is how the kingdom of heaven is going to work.

And people don’t want to hear that — because the moment you start framing it this way, we do what we always do. We start sorting the people around us. Bob’s clearly first-soil. Jimmy was second-soil all the way. Larry got seduced by prosperity. But me? I’m in church every Sunday. I’m doing great.

We turn it into a taxonomy for judging other people. And that’s exactly the moralistic trap I fell into for years.

Notice that there’s nothing in this parable about tilling the soil. In that era, farmers often sowed first and tilled afterward. The whole “get your heart right so you can receive the word” framework isn’t actually in the text. That’s us importing our assumptions.

The Real Question

The question this parable actually puts before us is simpler and harder than soil types: What are you going to do when you hear something in the gospel that you don’t like?

Because the Jesus way will challenge you. It challenged people then and it challenges us now. Love your neighbor. Who’s my neighbor? He tells a story about a Samaritan — despised, written off — and says, that’s your neighbor. Love them. Love your enemy? That doesn’t compute. And yet Jesus says, if you only love people you already like, what’s the point?

The path is narrow. The Jesus way demands dying to self. It demands a self-sacrificial love that actually costs something. That’s the whole point of Lent. That’s why we take communion — to remember who Jesus is, what he has done, and that his way is the way of the cross.

And self-sacrificial love hurts. It isn’t tidy. So the question is: when we encounter gospel truth that demands we live and love differently — toward our neighbors, our enemies, and sometimes even toward ourselves — how will we respond? Will we hear and be changed? Or will we find some way to kick the seed back out?

Will we be ever seeing, but never perceiving? Ever hearing, but never understanding?

There is grace here. The kingdom Jesus reveals is grace and mercy and unconditional love, through and through. But the kicker is this: we are called to turn around and live that same way.

That’s the hard part. And it’s worth wrestling with all week.

Questions to sit with: Where am I hearing the gospel and resisting it? What is the Jesus way asking of me that I’d rather not do? And is there someone — like that friend in my group chat — who loves me enough to hold me to it?

1.3 Strength - Practices that Build Resilience

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:10:06 -0400

Most of spiritual growth happens where no one is watching.

In this episode, we explore how God forms us through small, ordinary acts of obedience — the quiet prayers, unseen sacrifices, daily choices to forgive, to show up, to remain steady. The Christian life is less about dramatic breakthroughs and more about faithful rhythms.

The question beneath it all: What if the “small things” are actually the main things?

In this episode:

Why hidden faithfulness matters

How ordinary obedience shapes lasting character

The connection between daily rhythms and spiritual endurance

Spiritual fitness is formed slowly, faithfully, and often invisibly.

—

You can find more long-form reflections at danielmrose.com

Transcript

Parables for the Long Way Home - The Scandal of Generous Grace

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:22:41 -0400

To listen to the full unabridged message: The Scandal fo Generous Grace

As we begin the season of Lent, we enter a specific rhythm in the Christian calendar. It is a season of lament—a time to acknowledge that the world we inhabit is imperfect. It is often sad, hard, and weary. It is a world in desperate need of resurrection.

The beauty of Lent is that it points us toward Easter. We know that in a few weeks, we will celebrate the moment history was transformed by the resurrection of Christ. But we shouldn’t rush there. As Westerners, our culture encourages us to skip the “hard” and jump straight to the “fun.” But this season, we aren’t going to skip the hardness. We are going to work through it together by looking at the parables of Jesus.

Twisting the Prism

Jesus used parables to flip our expectations upside down. If the Kingdom of Heaven is a prism, Jesus is constantly twisting it so we see the light differently. This week, we’re jumping into the deep end with one of his most challenging stories: The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).

The Story

The parable describes a landowner who hires laborers at different points throughout the day:

6:00 AM: The first group is hired for a standard day’s wage (a denarius).
9:00 AM, Noon, & 3:00 PM: More workers are hired.
5:00 PM: With only one hour of light left, the landowner hires the final group.

When it comes time to pay, the “twist” happens. The workers hired last are paid first—and they receive a full day’s wage. Naturally, those who worked twelve hours in the heat expected more. But they, too, received a single denarius.

They grumbled, saying, “You have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work!”

The landowner’s response is the punchline of the parable: “I am not being unfair to you… Are you envious because I am generous?”

Fairness vs. Righteousness

If we’re honest, most of us identify with the first group of workers. It feels like “righteous indignation.” It feels unfair. But we have to recognize that fairness and grace are different categories.

If we treat this story like a literal lesson in economics, it’s a mess. Why didn’t the owner hire everyone at once? Why pay the one-hour workers the same? But Jesus isn’t giving a business lecture; he’s landing a punch. He is describing the radical, “gobsmacking” generosity of God.

The Struggle of the “Lifelong” Christian

For those of us who grew up in the church—who have known Jesus since before we left the womb—this parable is a mirror.

We can become callous to grace. We start to think we’ve earned it because we’ve been “good” our whole lives. Then, we see someone who lived “the fast life” turn to God on their deathbed, and we get bent out of shape. We hear a dramatic testimony of someone saved from addiction and think, “What about my story? My life was boring because I followed the rules. Where are my kudos?”

But we are forgetting the grace of being hired first.

Two Kinds of Grace

Grace redeems both stories, just in different ways:

The Early Workers: If you’ve known God your whole life, you were shielded. You were protected from the 5:00 PM anxiety—the agonizing worry of “How will I feed my family tonight?” You had the hope of the Master all day long. That is an overwhelming grace.
The Late Workers: For those who catch grace at the end, they receive unmitigated relief. They are rescued from the pain and struggle of a life lived without hope.

Whether you were hired at dawn or at dusk, the result is the same: The Master provided what you needed.

A Lenten Reflection

As we walk through Lent, let’s keep this overwhelming generosity in front of us. Whether you have followed Jesus for eighty years or eight minutes, we all stand on the same level ground at the foot of the Cross.

Let’s not look at the grace given to others with envy, but with rejoicing. We serve a God who is far more generous than we deserve.

Revelation 5 - Horses and Robes

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:35:13 -0400

To listen to full unabridged audio listen here: Revelation 5 - Horses and the Multitude

We are moving into the “tricky stuff” today as we pick up in Revelation chapter 6. Up to this point, we’ve witnessed the glorious worship of the heavenly throne room. We’ve seen Jesus identified as the only one worthy to open the scroll—the representation of God’s will and His plan for the world. Now, we get to see that plan begin to unfurl.

The Limitation of the Linear

Before we dive into the seals, we have to address how we read this book. As humans, we read in a linear fashion—one word after another, one event after another. But the visions of Revelation don’t necessarily exist in a linear timeline.

The theologian N.T. Wright uses a beautiful musical analogy: the written word is limited, but music can be layered. In a great symphony by Mozart or Beethoven, the flutes are doing one thing, the clarinets another, and the trumpets something else—all at the same time—to create a masterpiece.

Revelation is like that. These aren’t necessarily chronological “ages” of history. These are snapshots, word pictures, and symbols of big-idea realities that are often happening simultaneously throughout human history.

The Four Horsemen (The First Four Seals)

When the Lamb opens the first four seals, four horses and their riders are released.

The White Horse: There are two main theories here. One is that this represents Christ or the Gospel going out. However, given that the other three horses represent hardships, it’s more likely that the white horse represents conquering political and imperial powers—those who use worldly authority to oppress and conquer.
The Red Horse: This rider is given a short sword (the kind used by Roman legionnaires) and the power to take peace from the earth. This represents general violence—the way human beings kill one another—and specifically the physical persecution of the Church.
The Black Horse: Carrying a pair of scales, this rider represents economic oppression and disparity. The voice cries out prices for wheat and barley that represent a full day’s wages for barely enough food to survive, while the “oil and wine” (the luxuries of the rich) remain untouched.
The Pale Horse: This rider is named Death, followed by Hades. This is a “catch-all” for pestilence and mortality—war, famine, and plague. Note that his power is limited; he is given authority over only a fourth of the earth.

The Takeaway: None of these horses go out on their own. They are called out by the voice of the Lamb. This is meant to be encouraging: as bad as things get, these powers are still under the authority of God. If God allows them to move, He is also the one who can say, “Stop.” We do not need to live in despair when we see oppressive rulers or violence; we can live in hope because our God is the ultimate King.

The Cry for Justice (The Fifth and Sixth Seals)

In the fifth seal, we see the martyrs—those slain for the Word of God—under the altar. They cry out, “How long until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

This isn’t a petty or capricious cry for “getting even.” It is a cry for divine justice. They are appealing to the character of God—who is “Holy and True”—to settle the accounts of an unjust world. They are told to wait a little longer and are given white robes. Justice will come, but on God’s schedule, not ours.

The sixth seal brings an overwhelming picture of judgment: earthquakes, the sun turning black, and the moon turning red. It is so terrifying that the mighty and the rich hide in caves. They ask a haunting question: “The great day of wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

The 144,000 and the Great Multitude

Chapter 7 provides the answer to that question. Before the destruction continues, an angel places a seal on the foreheads of the servants of God. In the first century, a seal represented authenticity and ownership.

What John Hears: He hears the number of the sealed: 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. This is a symbolic number representing the fullness of God’s people.
What John Sees: When he turns to look, he doesn’t see a small, literal group; he sees a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language.

This is the culmination of the story. These are the ones who have come out of the “Great Tribulation.” We often think of that as a specific future event, but in many ways, the Great Tribulation is the experience of living outside of Eden. It is any point in history where the four horses are running wild.

The promise for those who persevere is beautiful:

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst… the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd… and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

What’s Next?

In chapter 8, the “spiral” of Revelation begins again. We’ll go back to the beginning to look at the same story from a different, perhaps weirder, perspective. But the ending remains the same: Christ is the Shepherd, and He wins.

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:58:52 -0400

Tomorrow at Tap Room we are discussing nationalism, not just the Christian variant. This description of Christian nationalism by Tom Wright hits the nail on the head.

God's Kingdom Come - The Joy of the Kingdom

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:30:37 -0400

For the full unabridged message listen here: God’s Kingdom Come - The Joy of the Kingdom

Last year, two hikers in Czechia were walking through the woods when they spotted something metallic sticking out of the dirt. At first, they figured it was just trash—the kind of random debris you find in the wilderness. But when they pulled it out and opened it, they found pounds of gold.

In an instant, their lives were transformed. They weren’t looking for treasure; they just stumbled upon it.

As we wrap up this Epiphany season and prepare for Lent, we’ve been asking a specific question: What is the Kingdom of Heaven actually like? We pray for it every week in the Lord’s Prayer (“Your Kingdom come”), but do we know what we’re asking for?

According to Jesus in Matthew 13, the Kingdom is exactly like that box in the woods.

The Treasure You Trip Over

In Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus gives us two short pictures:

The Hidden Treasure: A man finds treasure in a field, hides it again, and in his joy, sells everything to buy the field.
The Pearl of Great Value: A merchant searching for fine pearls finds one “of great value” and sells everything to possess it.

The first image is remarkable because it suggests the Kingdom can be found by anyone. You don’t need a seminary degree, a specific pedigree, or a lifetime of perfect church attendance to find it. You can be a “normal, everyday folk” just wandering through a field and trip over it.

The Kingdom is present. It is breaking in. It is right in our midst.

Joy vs. Happiness

There is a specific marker that tells you when you’ve stumbled across the Kingdom: Joy. For too long, the Kingdom has been marketed as a place of judgment, shame, or fire and brimstone. But Jesus says the man who found the treasure acted out of joy.

We often confuse joy with happiness, but they aren’t the same:

Happiness is fleeting. It’s based on circumstances—your team winning a game, buying a new car, or a good day at work. It comes and goes.
Joy is sustaining. It is something that can be experienced even in the midst of struggle, pain, and sorrow.

The book of Hebrews says that “for the joy set before him,” Christ endured the cross. He looked beyond the immediate agony to the reconciliation and restoration of all things. That is what the Kingdom does for us—it allows us to look beyond our momentary afflictions and say, “I know where I belong.”

You Find What You Seek

The second parable features a merchant looking for pearls. There is a psychological reality to this: what you set your mind on, you begin to see everywhere. If you buy a yellow car, you suddenly notice yellow cars on every block.

If you look for the “bad” in a broken world, you will find it everywhere. Our news cycle is built on this. But if you start looking for the Kingdom—if you look for the “helpers,” as Mr. Rogers famously said—you will find joy in the smile of a child or a small act of kindness at a coffee shop.

We have a responsibility to pay attention. The Kingdom has broken through, but we have to be willing to see it.

Two Invitations for This Week

As we transition toward the shadow of the cross in Lent, I want to encourage you to do two things:

Take Stock: Ask yourself, “Am I setting my heart on joy, or am I fixated on the negative?” What we fixate on is ultimately what flows out of us.
The Evening Review: Even if you aren’t a “journaler,” take five minutes before bed to identify one joyful thing you saw today. Be intentional about naming the Kingdom’s presence in your world.

When we find joy, we find the Kingdom. And when you are truly joyful, you don’t have to try to “evangelize”—joy simply oozes out of you. It becomes impossible to hide.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t for “special” people. It’s for all of us. And it’s right there in the field, waiting for you to trip over it.

1.2 Attention - What You Train Grows

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:03:48 -0400

We live in an age of distraction. Our attention is constantly being captured, pulled, and shaped—often without us realizing it.

In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful truth: what you repeatedly give your attention to quietly forms you.

Spiritual formation doesn’t begin with intensity or effort. It begins with attention. The question isn’t whether you’re being formed—it’s by what.

Rooted in Jesus’ words about the attention and focus (Matthew 6:19–24), this conversation looks at how our daily focus trains our fears, our loves, and our hopes—and how small, grace-filled shifts in attention can reshape us over time.

No heroic practices. No spiritual hustle. Just learning to notice what’s shaping us.

New here? Start with Season 0, a short two-episode introduction to the heart of The Pastor Next Door. It sets the tone—grace-first, honest about doubt, and committed to the slow work of formation.

Transcript

Revelation 4 - A Glimpse into the Throne Room

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:57:14 -0400

To listen to the whole unabridged teaching, listen here: A Glimpse into the Throne Room

As we move from the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 into the vision of the heavenly throne room in chapters 4 and 5, things are about to get “weird.” We are moving from the clear to the less clear—into the realm of deep imagery and symbolism.

To set the stage, we must remember that the churches John was writing to were facing intense hardship. Whether they were in the midst of struggle or on the verge of it, they needed a central focus. The commentator William Hendriksen captures this perfectly:

“Whenever in history the church is faithful to its calling and bears testimony concerning the truth, tribulation is bound to follow… The church needs these tribulations… as an instrument for our own spiritual advancement. We see God’s footstool; let us not forget His throne.”

Revelation is not primarily a timeline for the future; it is a call to persevere. It teaches us how to “suffer well.” When we walk through hard seasons, knowing who is on the throne changes everything. We don’t experience the woes of the world as those without hope, but as those who know that victory has already been won through Christ.

The Open Door: Heaven is Closer Than You Think

In Revelation 4:1, John says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.”

Often, we think of the physical and spiritual realms as being miles apart—heaven “up there” and earth “down here.” But John’s imagery suggests something more like C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. The “door” isn’t miles away in the sky; it’s right here. The spiritual realm is intertwined with our own, typically unseen, but separated only by a “curtain” that John is now permitted to look behind.

The Seven Circles of Worship

To understand the layout of this heavenly vision, it helps to visualize the throne room as seven concentric circles. This structure becomes a recurring anchor throughout the rest of the book.

The Center: God the Father seated on the throne, appearing like Jasper and Ruby—a picture of overwhelming purity and holiness.
The Radiance: An emerald-like rainbow encircling the throne. While thunder and lightning (judgment) emanate from the throne, the rainbow reminds us of God’s covenant faithfulness. The “storm” of brokenness exists, but it ends in grace.
The Holy Spirit: Seven blazing lamps, representing the “sevenfold” (perfect and complete) Spirit of God.
The Four Living Creatures: The Cherubim (lion, ox, man, and eagle). These represent either the highest order of angels or the fullness of creation itself, leading the worship.
The 24 Elders: Representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles—the totality of God’s people from all of history.
The Multitude of Angels: “Thousands upon thousands” who join the chorus.
The Outer Circle: Every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the sea.

The Scroll and the Lamb

In Chapter 5, a scroll appears in the Father’s right hand, sealed with seven seals. This scroll represents the will of God—His plan for the outworking of history. John weeps because no one is found worthy to open it. If God’s plan cannot be carried out, there is no hope.

But then, one of the elders tells John to stop weeping: “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah… has triumphed.”

When John turns to see this Lion, he sees a surprise: A Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.

The Lion and the Lamb

This is the beautiful “both-and” of Jesus. He is the Lion (power, authority, and kingship) and He is the Lamb (meekness, sacrifice, and gentleness). His ultimate power is displayed not through worldly conquest, but through His willingness to give His life for others.

Because He was slain, He is worthy to take the scroll. He is the only one who can take God’s plan and carry it to fruition on the earth.

Our Response: Presence and Prayer One of the most moving images in this scene is the “golden bowls full of incense,” which are the prayers of God’s people. Don’t miss this: when you pray, your words go directly into the throne room. They are held in the very center of the universe’s power.

As we look toward the one who is King of Kings, our response—like that of the elders and the angels—is worship. We can press on, knowing that the One who holds the scroll also holds us.

God's Kingdom Come - The Scandalous Guest List

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:36:10 -0400

To listen to the full unabridged audio listen here: The Scandalous Guest List

Today is Super Bowl Sunday—a day synonymous with gatherings, snacks, and “sportsball.” Whether you’re there for the game or just the commercials, it’s one of those rare nights where everyone chills out and has a good time.

But in the first century, parties were a different story. They weren’t “democratic” like ours today; they were highly structured, intentional, and governed by strict social rules. This context makes the story of Jesus at a dinner party in Luke 14:1-14 all the more shocking.

The Mirror of the Pharisee

In this passage, Jesus is invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee. It’s easy for us to cast the Pharisees as the “bad guys,” but in reality, they were the “devout believers” of their time. They loved God, studied Scripture, and tried to live faithfully.

If we are people who go to church, pray, and center our lives on God, the Pharisees are our people. They are a mirror for us. When Jesus challenges them, he is challenging us.

Flipping the Script

While at the party, Jesus notices guests scrambling for the “places of honor.” He offers a counter-cultural lesson on humility: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

In an age where the most desired career for emerging generations is to be a “social media influencer,” this message of self-abasement feels more radical than ever. But Jesus doesn’t stop at personal humility; he turns his attention to the guest list itself.

“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors… But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”

The “Arm’s Length” People

Jesus’ challenge is simple but devastating: Don’t just invite the people who are just like you. It’s easy to do life with people who share our socioeconomic status, our politics, or our background. That’s comfortable. But Jesus points toward those on the fringes—the people who cannot repay the favor. In the first century, that meant the disabled and the destitute. Today, it refers to whoever is on the “outside” of your specific circle.

Who are the “arm’s length” people for you?

The person whose politics make your blood boil?
The neighbor who is “messy” or struggling with addiction?
The people who have a completely different lifestyle or worldview?

The Scandal of the Gospel

The scandal of the Gospel is that it isn’t just for the “normies” or the people who have it all figured out. It is for everyone.

Inviting “those people” to your table—to your Super Bowl party, your dinner table, or your life—is costly. It might cost you your social standing or make your religious friends uncomfortable. People might even “side-eye” you for who you’re seen with.

But that is exactly where Jesus is.

A “Triple Dog Dare”

This week, I have a challenge for you. It’s a “triple dog dare” of the highest order:

Be Honest: Identify who “those people” are for you. Don’t say “I love everyone”—we all have a group we’d rather keep at a distance.
Pray for a Relationship: Ask God for the privilege of building a genuine relationship with someone from that group.

Imagine if our communities were filled with people who loved one another without condition, simply because we are all image-bearers of the divine. That wouldn’t just be a nice party; it would be a glimpse of heaven on earth.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:40:57 -0400

This made me laugh too hard…

1.1 What Is Spiritual Fitness?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:44:50 -0400

A new season of The Pastor Next Door is live.

Season 1 begins with a simple question: What do we mean when we talk about “spiritual fitness”?

Not hustle. Not self-improvement. Not another thing to fail at.

Just a conversation about forming the capacity to trust, love, and stay rooted in grace over time.

If faith has felt tiring or complicated lately, you’re not behind—you’re paying attention.

🎧 Episode 1: What Is Spiritual Fitness? (And What It Is Not)

#podcast #faith #spiritualformation

Transcript

Revelation 3 - The Last Four Churches

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:32:33 -0400

To listen to the full unabridged audio listen here: The Last Four Churches

We are picking up right where we left off in Revelation chapter 2. Last time, we covered the first three churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. Today, we turn our attention to the final four.

As a reminder, each of these letters is addressed to the “angel” of that particular church. Many commentators, myself included, believe the Greek word angelos is better translated here as “messenger” or “pastor.” It makes much more sense in this context that these letters are being addressed to the earthly overseers of these congregations.

Furthermore, we must remember that the number seven represents completion. While these were seven real, historical churches in Asia Minor, they also provide a composite image of the whole church in all places for all time. As we walk through these descriptions, you might see glimpses of our own church, or perhaps a reflection of a season we’ve walked through in the past.

Thyatira: The Danger of Appearances

Reading: Revelation 2:18–29

Thyatira was a trade hub on the road to the capital, Pergamum. It was a manufacturing center filled with “trade guilds”—think of them like labor unions for carpenters, weavers, or bakers. The catch? Each guild had its own “god.” To be successful in business, you were expected to attend guild parties, offer sacrifices, and often engage in the ritual immorality that followed.

For a Christian, this created a crisis of integrity. If you didn’t participate, you didn’t get work. If you didn’t get work, you didn’t eat.

Enter “Jezebel.” Whether this was a specific woman or a symbolic name (referencing the Old Testament queen who led Israel into idolatry), she was teaching a dangerous compromise: Go into the darkness to be relevant. She suggested that Christians could participate in these pagan rituals as a way to “know the deep secrets” of the enemy, perhaps under the guise of being more effective witnesses.

Jesus describes himself here as having “eyes like blazing fire”—the kind of gaze that looks straight into the soul. He commends their service and love, noting they are doing more now than at the start. On the outside, Thyatira looked like a “mega-church” success story. But on the inside, they were tolerating a rot that compromised their very identity.

Sardis: The Church on Autopilot

Reading: Revelation 3:1–6

Sardis is the church of “resting on your laurels.” Jesus tells them, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” They were living in the past. They were like sports fans who only want to talk about the championship they won in the nineties while ignoring the fact that they haven’t won a game in years. They had become apathetic and lazy in their faith, “soiling their clothes” with the dust of inactivity.

Jesus’ command is simple: Wake up. A church cannot survive on history alone; faith requires a present, active movement of the Spirit.

Philadelphia: Success Defined as Faithfulness

Reading: Revelation 3:7–13

Philadelphia was a small, missionary-minded city. In the eyes of the world, this church was insignificant. They didn’t have the wealth of Laodicea or the political status of Pergamum.

Yet, Jesus has no rebuke for them. Why? Because they endured patiently. They held onto the Word despite having “little strength.”

This is a vital word for us today. In American Christianity, we often measure success by the “Triple Bs”: Butts in seats, Bucks in the plate, and Buildings on the campus. But to Jesus, success is defined by one thing: Faithfulness. If a church remains loyal to the Gospel, Jesus considers it a triumph.

Laodicea: The Wretchedness of Self-Sufficiency

Reading: Revelation 3:14–22

Laodicea was the “Birmingham, Michigan” of the region—a place of extreme wealth and power. The people there were hoity-toity, and they knew it. They claimed, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.”

But Jesus gives them an “Emperor’s New Clothes” moment. He tells them they are actually “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” They were lukewarm—neither the refreshing cold water of the mountains nor the healing hot springs of nearby Hierapolis. They were the room-temperature water that makes you want to gag.

What is beautiful here is Jesus’ tone. He doesn’t come in swinging punches. He says, “I counsel you…” It is a gentle invitation to trade their temporary wealth for “gold refined in fire.” He stands at the door and knocks, asking for a return to intimacy.

The Remnant and the Standard

In almost every one of these letters, Jesus mentions a remnant—a small group of people who are still doing the work, even when the institution around them has grown cold or compromised.

As followers of Christ, we are held to a higher standard. We don’t get to hide behind the excuse of being “just human” to justify hypocrisy. Like a teacher who gives a gifted student a ‘C’ because they know the student is capable of ‘A’ work, Christ disciplines those He loves because He wants the best version of us.

The American church today reflects a lot of Laodicea. We are comfortable, we are wealthy, and we often substitute business principles for the move of the Spirit. The question for us—and for every church in every age—is this: Will we hear the voice of the One knocking, and will we have the courage to open the door?

The rest of Revelation is going to get “exceptionally weird,” but if we hold onto these principles of integrity and perseverance, the vision becomes clear. It is not a book of fear; it is a call to remain faithful to the end.

The Sword and the Living Sacrifice - Why Romans 13 is Not About Blind Obedience

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:46:01 -0400

In light of recent events in Minnesota and elsewhere regarding the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), I have seen many people cite Romans 13:1–7. It is often used as a “trump card” to end any argument. Too often, I think those citing the passage haven’t thought deeply about it or considered its original context. So, I revisited the text to consider again what Paul is actually arguing in the opening verses of chapter 13 in his magisterial letter to the Romans.

The Passage (NIV)

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong… For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good… Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

The Tension

On the surface, the passage appears quite straightforward: Do what the government tells you, and things will go well. Disobey, and things will go badly.

Could it really be that simple? If it were, so much ink wouldn’t have been spilled over these seven verses. As I sat down with the text and various commentaries, I was struck by a massive tension every interpreter must wrestle with: How could Paul write this when he had personally experienced unjust treatment at the hands of Rome? He knew many other followers of Jesus were also experiencing state-sanctioned injustice. Trying to resolve this tension drives the various ways people seek to understand Paul’s intent. Personally, I wish I could ask him: Was this meant to be prescriptive for all people in all places, or was it specific to the needs of the Roman church at that time?

Note: I won’t walk through every perspective here. If you want to dive deeper, check out the Pillar New Testament Commentary by Colin G. Kruse, Romans by Robert Jewett, or Paul for Everyone by N.T. Wright. The first two are more academic; Wright’s is an accessible summary. I’m not providing a deep exegesis here, but rather a “10,000-foot perspective” to provide a scaffolding for further thought.

A Two-Fold Understanding

I believe the best way to understand this passage today is through two lenses:

The Necessity of Order: This passage takes seriously the reality that humanity needs government. Anarchy allows the worst aspects of human nature to run unchecked. God, in grace, grants authority to human governments to bring order to society. Even in flawed governments, there is usually some general order that prevents total mayhem.
- Note: Paul’s argument is actually subversive. By saying Rome’s authority comes from God, he is claiming that Caesar is accountable to the Father of Jesus, not the Roman pantheon.
The Condition of Honor: The final verse offers a conditional statement that frees us from blind subservience to evil. Paul says: “Give to everyone what you owe them… if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” This protects the believer in two ways:
- Integrity: If the government provides public goods (roads, schools, safety), we owe them our taxes. (This strikes a blow to the “taxes are theft” crowd.)
- Resistance: It opens the door to challenge authority when it acts unjustly. If an authority does not act respectably or honorably, respect and honor are not “owed.” We see Paul himself model this in Acts, where he vigorously challenges the authorities after being unjustly arrested.

Conclusion

Romans 13:1–7 provides the foundation for a healthy understanding of good government and the grounds for a case against bad government. We recognize that authorities are the ideal means by which evil is punished and good rewarded. However, when a government fails to do this—when it wields the “sword” unjustly—our consciences are free to withhold the honor it demands.

In the midst of this, we must hold to the broader principle of Romans 13:8: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. If the law or the government causes harm, love becomes the higher fulfillment of the law.

God's Kingdom Come - The Kingdom That Grows Small

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:50:51 -0400

To listen to the unbridged message: God’s Kingdom Come - The Kingdom That Grows Small

There is a famous story about a little boy walking along a beach scattered with starfish that have washed ashore. As he walks, he bends down, picks up a starfish, and throws it back into the ocean. Over and over again, he does the same thing.

A grizzled old man approaches him and says, “You know you’re making no difference, right? There are far too many starfish. You can’t possibly save them all. What does it matter?”

The boy bends down, picks up another starfish, and replies, “It matters to this one.” And he throws it back into the sea.

It’s a story most of us have heard before, but it remains a powerful reminder of how easily we fall into all-or-nothing thinking. If we can’t fix everything, why do anything at all? If we can’t make a big dent, why bother with the small effort?

The prophet Zechariah once named this temptation with a single, piercing sentence:

“Do not despise the day of small things.”

That line feels almost subversive in a world obsessed with size, scale, speed, and spectacle. And it sits right at the heart of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of heaven.

We Expect Big. God Begins Small.

We tend to assume that if God’s kingdom is going to come, it should come loudly, visibly, and immediately. Big movements. Big numbers. Big impact.

In recent decades, even the church has absorbed this mindset. We’ve been told that growth must be fast and obvious. That success means visibility. That effectiveness requires scale.

But Jesus doesn’t say the kingdom is like a fireworks display.

He says it’s like a mustard seed.

Now, no, the mustard seed is not technically the smallest seed in existence. Jesus is speaking the way people speak when they tell stories—using familiar, embodied language. Anyone who had ever held a mustard seed knew just how tiny it was. And that’s the point.

Something small. Something easy to overlook. Something that looks insignificant.

And yet, when planted, it grows into something far larger than anyone would expect.

Growth Requires Care

There’s something else worth noticing here. Seeds don’t grow on their own.

They need soil. They need water. They need care. They need time.

The same is true of yeast. A tiny bit of leaven doesn’t magically transform sixty pounds of flour. It has to be worked in. Kneaded. Given attention. Allowed to do its slow, quiet work.

Jesus is describing a kingdom that grows under care. A kingdom nurtured in hidden places. A kingdom shaped through patient, faithful presence.

This isn’t random growth. It’s relational growth.

A Place to Rest. A Place to Belong.

When the mustard seed becomes a tree, Jesus says the birds come and perch in its branches. They rest there. Eventually, they build nests. They make a home.

That image matters.

The kingdom of heaven is not just something that expands.
It’s something that shelters.

It becomes a place where weary people can rest. A place where lives can take root. A place of protection, belonging, and home.

The same is true of the bread made from leavened dough. What starts as a small, almost invisible ingredient becomes life-sustaining nourishment for many.

Small things. Faithfully tended. Becoming life for others.

Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things

We live in a world that tells us small doesn’t matter.

Small gestures. Small communities. Small acts of care. Small beginnings.

God says otherwise.

God delights in small things. God works through hidden things. God grows life in quiet, patient ways.

The kingdom doesn’t start large. It doesn’t need to. It grows.

So How Do We Participate?

The invitation here is not to do more or try harder. It’s not a call to volunteer, perform, or produce.

It’s a call to connect.

To connect with one another. To share life. To practice presence. To open our tables and our homes. To break bread together. To listen to one another’s stories.

You eat meals every week. One of them could become holy ground. One of them could become a place where the kingdom quietly grows.

This is how we participate in the kingdom. This is how the seed is tended. This is how the dough is worked. This is how we discover rest, nourishment, and home.

Because sometimes, the smallest things matter most.

A Prayer

Gracious God,
Thank You for a kingdom that grows quietly and faithfully.
Forgive us when we despise small beginnings or overlook hidden work.
Teach us to trust You as You grow life in us and among us.
Root us deeply in love,
that we might find rest, nourishment, and home together.
We pray this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:53:03 -0400

Absolutely true. I know I’ve hit on a Kingdom message when people who are on the political right and people on the political begin a sentence with, “Pastor, you know…”

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:12:03 -0400

It is remarkable to be able to come to a place like this to rest. I am beyond grateful for this time.

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:51:31 -0400

When little bro flies in on the same plane you’re about to leave on…

God's Kingdom Come - God's Kingdom Reorders Our Lives

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 22:01:06 -0400

You can listen to the unabridged message here: God’s Kingdom Reorders Our Lives

Matthew chapter 5 opens what we often call the Sermon on the Mount. If you’ve ever read this section in a red-letter Bible, you know the feeling: suddenly the page looks packed, your eyes start swimming, and it can feel a little overwhelming.

This morning we’re focusing our attention on the opening 11 verses—the Beatitudes—as we continue our Epiphany series, God’s Kingdom Come. Each week we pray the Lord’s Prayer, asking:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

During this season we’re wrestling with a simple but challenging question: What are we actually praying for when we pray for God’s kingdom to come?

Honestly, Matthew 5–7 could have been the whole series. It’s the longest stretch of uninterrupted teaching we get from Jesus. We also find a similar sermon in Luke 6—often called the “Sermon on the Plain”—and some people point to that and say, “Contradiction!”

But here’s the thing: the headings in our Bibles weren’t part of the original text. We call it the “Sermon on the Mount” because Matthew says Jesus went up a mountainside. Luke says he taught from a level place. When you visit the traditional site in Israel, you find… a hillside with level places. Jesus likely stood in a flat spot while teaching on a hillside. That’s not a contradiction. That’s geography.

And even if Jesus delivered similar teaching on more than one occasion—well, it turns out preachers reuse sermons. Especially traveling, itinerant preachers speaking to different crowds. If this teaching sits at the center of Jesus’ vision for life in God’s kingdom, it shouldn’t surprise us that he would return to it again and again.

The Beatitudes: The Kingdom’s Outline

The Beatitudes function like an introduction, an outline, a kind of “Cliff’s Notes” for everything Jesus is about to teach. Jesus raises these themes, then spends the rest of Matthew 5–7 unfolding them.

Here is the text:

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”
(Matthew 5:1–12)

There’s so much here we could spend weeks on these lines alone. But as my Mimi used to say:

“The heart can absorb only what the backside can endure.”

So today we’re staying at a 100,000-foot view.

What Are We Praying For?

When we pray, “Your kingdom come…,” one simple answer might be this:

We are praying for the Beatitudes to become reality.
Not just as ideals we admire, but as a way of life that shapes us—personally, communally, socially, and culturally.

In other words: This is what God’s kingdom looks like when it breaks into the world.

What does it look like to live under the reign of a crucified and risen King?
What does it look like to follow the One who willingly gives his life for people who despise him?

It looks like this.

The Kingdom and the People It Blesses

Blessed are those who mourn

We live in a culture that often treats mourning like something you do quickly and then move on from—especially in a kind of stiff-upper-lip Protestant world.

But Jesus says: the one who mourns will be comforted.

That comfort is not a command to “get over it.” It’s a picture of arms around shoulders. It’s companionship. It’s presence. It’s empathy. It’s people who walk with you, love you through it, and refuse to leave you alone.

That is the way of the kingdom.

Blessed are the meek

This one is deeply countercultural.

In our world, who inherits the earth? The powerful. The dominant. The ones with the biggest weapons, the strongest influence, the ability to intimidate.

Jesus says: no—the meek inherit the earth.

But we misunderstand meekness. Meekness isn’t weakness. Meekness is strength under control—power restrained for the good of others. It’s someone who could crush, dominate, retaliate… and chooses not to.

Meekness is power used for blessing.

I think of a video from a youth basketball game. There’s one kid—head and shoulders bigger than everyone else. He grabs a rebound and instead of putting it back up, he hands it to the smallest kid on the floor. Then he boxes everyone out so the little guy can shoot. The little guy misses—big kid rebounds and hands it back. Misses again—same thing. Finally the small kid makes it, and the whole gym erupts.

That’s meekness.

The strong using strength on behalf of the small.
Power restrained and redirected toward love.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

This righteousness is both being made right with God and joining God in setting the world right.

Jesus says those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled—and the word has the sense of being fully satisfied, like the contentment after a feast.

But notice: the satisfaction comes in the process. Those who chase justice and pursue righteousness are not abandoned in the struggle. The kingdom meets them there, and one day God will finish what they long for.

Blessed are the merciful

Mercy is upside down in our world.

Our culture often runs on retaliation:
“If they did it, I get to do it.”
“If they hurt me, I can hurt them back—worse.”

Jesus says: no—show mercy.

And mercy returns—not always from the world, but certainly from God. The kingdom trains us to become people who refuse revenge and embody grace.

Blessed are the pure in heart

If we’re honest, this one can feel intimidating. Who among us is pure in heart?

But the good news is: we are not made pure by our own effort. We are made pure by grace—by being united to Christ. And then our lives begin to reflect that inner transformation in a new way of living.

A pure heart doesn’t mean a perfect record. It means a life being reordered from the inside out.

Blessed are the peacemakers

We confuse peacemaking with peacekeeping.

Peacekeeping tries to keep everything quiet.
Peacemaking steps into conflict.

A peacemaker is someone who stands between two hostile parties and brings them together—ending hostility. That’s dangerous work. It requires courage, hope, and the willingness to absorb misunderstanding and resistance from both sides.

And that’s why peacemakers are rare: it’s easier to destroy than to reconcile.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness

This is one of the most revealing lines, because when you start actually living out righteousness, you may discover something surprising:

sometimes the sharpest persecution comes from your own side.

Doing what’s right often requires telling your own team the truth. And people don’t like that. We want righteousness until it requires repentance.

The kingdom way can cost us—sometimes in public, sometimes in private, sometimes in relationships we didn’t expect to become complicated.

The Kingdom Is a Total Reordering

Jesus is not offering spiritual tips for a better life. He is unveiling a new world.

The Beatitudes describe a way of living that subverts every power-driven system—ancient Rome, modern nationalism, authoritarianism, the endless “isms” that promise security through dominance.

The Jesus way is not the way of grasping.
It’s the way of humility.
It’s the way of self-sacrificial love.

And that’s why it’s hard.

Following Jesus opens us to misunderstanding, mockery, and opposition—because our allegiance is to Christ above every other loyalty. The Beatitudes don’t just challenge the world “out there.” They challenge us.

As G.K. Chesterton famously put it:

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting.
It has been found difficult—and left untried.

The road is narrow because it costs us everything.

One Question for This Week

Here’s my challenge for you:

Which Beatitude do you think is absolute bunk?
Which one do you read and think, “That’s cute, Jesus… but it doesn’t work in the world we live in.”

Which one feels unrealistic? Outdated? Naive?

Because that one—the one you resist—is likely the one you most need to sit with. The one you need to pray through. The one that reveals where your heart is rubbing against the kingdom.

I can’t pick that one for you. I know what mine are.

I struggle with mercy.
I struggle with meekness.

I want to clap back.
I want to dominate.
I want to “win.”

And Jesus keeps inviting me into a different way.

So which one is it for you?

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:27:01 -0400

The Tigers hosted their faith night tonight at the Priority Club at Comerica Park. It was really interesting hearing stories from Lance Parrish and Frank Tanana.

After being in the Priority Club, I can see why the seats behind home plate are always empty. The space is ridiculously cool.

0.2 - Brittle Faith to Enduring Faith

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:11:35 -0400

What if the cracking of your faith isn’t a failure—but an invitation?

Many of us were given a version of faith that worked right up until life applied pressure. Built on certainty, rules, and platitudes, it held together for a while. But grief, doubt, disappointment, and silence from God have a way of exposing how brittle that kind of faith really is.

In this episode of The Pastor Next Door, we explore the difference between brittle faith and enduring faith—and why the breaking apart of faith may actually be the beginning of something deeper and more honest.

In this episode, we explore:

Why faith rooted in agreement collapses under real life
How control masquerades as spirituality—and why relationship matters more
Why doubt and lament are not threats to faith, but signs of it
What it means to trust God without certainty
How Scripture (especially the Psalms) gives us permission to speak honestly
Why faith is not something we perform for God, but practice with God

Drawing from Scripture, personal story, and the words of a desperate father who prayed, “I believe; help my unbelief,” this episode makes space for wrestling, grief, and unfinished faith—without shame.

If your faith feels fragile right now, you’re not behind.
You might actually be paying attention.

This episode also sets the stage for what’s coming next on the podcast:

Season 1: Personal spiritual fitness — slow, ordinary practices rooted in grace
Season 2: Faith deconstruction and reconstruction
Season 3: Community, connection, and belonging
Season 4: Leadership without burnout

No quick fixes.
No pressure to arrive.
Just an honest, grace-filled space to keep going.

Take your time.
Grace and peace, friends.
May you love well.

Transcript

Revelation 2 - The First Three Churches

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:40:38 -0400

For the full unabridged audio check it out here: Revelation 2 - The First Three Churches

In this session of Beyond Sunday School, we turn our attention to Revelation chapters 2 and 3 and begin working our way through the letters to the seven churches. We won’t get through all seven at once, but we’ll start with the first three: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.

Before looking at each church individually, there are a couple of important reminders that shape how we read these chapters.

A Word About “Angels”

Each letter is addressed “to the angel of the church.” The Greek word angelos simply means messenger. In this context, it is best understood not as a heavenly being, but as the church’s human leader—its pastor or minister.

In other words, these letters are addressed to those responsible for leading and teaching the church.

The Pattern of the Letters

As we work through the churches, we’ll notice a consistent pattern:

Jesus addresses the messenger of the church
Jesus identifies himself using imagery drawn from Revelation 1
Jesus offers a commendation
Jesus gives a rebuke (though not every church receives one)
Jesus calls for repentance or faithfulness
Jesus makes a promise to “the one who conquers”

With that structure in mind, we turn to the first three churches.

Ephesus: Faithful but Loveless

(Revelation 2:1–7)

Jesus identifies himself to Ephesus as the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. The image is powerful: Christ holds the messengers securely and is fully present among his churches.

Ephesus receives strong praise. They work hard. They persevere. They reject false teachers. They endure hardship for Christ’s name. From the outside, this church looks incredibly healthy—orthodox in belief and active in ministry.

But then comes the rebuke:

“You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

This is a chilling warning. A church can believe all the right things and do all the right things—and still be spiritually dead. Love for Christ and love for others can be replaced with duty, habit, or mere correctness.

Jesus calls them to repent and return to their first love. The warning is severe: if they do not, their lampstand will be removed. And history tells us that Ephesus eventually disappeared. The church that once thrived there no longer exists.

The lesson is sobering. Faithfulness without love eventually collapses. We still see this pattern today in churches that appear successful but are hollow at the core, leaving behind spiritual harm and confusion.

The promise to those who overcome is life—access to the tree of life in the paradise of God. Faithfulness rooted in love leads to true life.

Smyrna: Faithful Through Suffering

(Revelation 2:8–11)

To Smyrna, Jesus identifies himself as the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. This matters deeply, because Smyrna is a suffering church.

Jesus knows their afflictions and poverty. Though materially poor, they are spiritually rich. Unlike Ephesus, Smyrna receives no rebuke at all.

Instead, Jesus prepares them for further suffering—imprisonment, persecution, even death. He calls them to remain faithful, reminding them that he has already conquered death itself.

The reference to suffering for “ten days” points not to a hidden timeline, but to a limited and purposeful season. Their suffering is real, but it is not endless.

Historically, Smyrna was filled with trade guilds that required participation in pagan worship. Christians who refused were excluded, leading to economic hardship and poverty. Following Jesus cost them dearly.

Jesus does not promise escape from suffering. He promises his presence through it—and resurrection life beyond it.

The promise is clear: the one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.

Pergamum: Faithful but Compromised

(Revelation 2:12–17)

Pergamum was the center of Roman political power and emperor worship in the region. Jesus identifies himself here as the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword—the Word of God.

This church is commended for holding fast to Christ’s name, even in a place described as where “Satan has his throne.” They remained faithful despite persecution and martyrdom.

But compromise had crept in.

Some in the church tolerated teaching that encouraged participation in idolatry and sexual immorality—echoing the story of Balaam in Numbers 25. The logic was subtle but dangerous: idols aren’t real, so participation doesn’t matter. Cultural accommodation was justified in the name of survival or influence.

Jesus calls them to repent. Faithfulness, he insists, cannot be separated from obedience.

To those who overcome, Jesus promises hidden manna—God’s provision—and a white stone with a new name. The imagery points to a new identity and belonging that comes not from cultural alignment, but from union with Christ.

Our identity is received, not achieved. It is shaped by the Word of God, not by the surrounding culture.

Where We Leave Off

We’ve made it through the first three churches. Next time, we’ll continue with the remaining four.

If you’d like to be part of the live conversation and discussion, you’re invited to join us on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church for the recording of Beyond Sunday School.

Until next time, we keep climbing—looking for faithful handholds as we make our way through Revelation.

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:01:06 -0400

I love the reality that receiving the kingdom is rooted totally and unequivocally in grace through the unconditional love of God.

God’s Kingdom Come - Receiving the Kingdom

God's Kingdom Come - The Kingdom Received

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:35:58 -0400

If you would like to listen to the whole unabridged version it is available here: The Kingdom Received

It was the middle of July in 2001. A couple of weeks earlier, Amy and I had been sitting in her doctor’s office for a routine appointment—ultrasound, measurements, all the usual things. At the end of the visit, the doctor looked at us and said, “I think it’s time for this baby to be born.” The baby was getting a little too big and needed to make an appearance.

This was our first child. We didn’t know the gender—we were doing the surprise thing—and suddenly we were nervous. But the doctor reassured us: “Don’t worry. We’ll schedule a time. You come in on this day, at this time, and we’ll get things started.”

It felt strange knowing exactly when we were going to have a baby—unless God intervened. God did not intervene. And even with all the medical help, it still took nearly 24 hours before Ethan finally made his way into the world.

Before heading to the hospital, we went out for one last meal—our “last supper,” if you will—at a little Italian place in Bloomington–Normal called Avanti’s. Baked ziti, spaghetti, and that famous Avanti’s bread. Warm, sweet, and absolutely filled with sugar. Delicious.

Then we went to the hospital. And eventually, there he was.

What Does This Have to Do with the Kingdom?

So you might be wondering what any of this has to do with the Kingdom of God.

Let’s turn to Mark 10:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
— Mark 10:13–16

A couple of things matter here.

First, the word translated “little children” is a diminutive in Greek. It doesn’t mean toddlers. It means the smallest children—infants, babies.

That changes the picture.

This isn’t a scene of preschoolers running up to Jesus. It’s parents bringing their infants to him, asking for blessing.

Second, the idea of Jesus touching them wasn’t strange in their world. In the Jewish tradition, a prophet’s touch was understood as a sign of blessing—a way of passing along God’s favor. These parents believed Jesus was deeply connected to the divine, and that his touch could mark their children’s lives.

The disciples, however, step in to stop it.

From our modern perspective, that seems ridiculous. Why would anyone keep babies away from Jesus?

But in the first-century world, babies weren’t sentimentalized the way they are today. They were dependent, non-productive, resource-draining necessities. Women, slaves, and infants all occupied the lowest rungs of the social ladder. Babies were not treasured—they were endured.

So when parents bring infants to Jesus, the disciples see them as interruptions. Hindrances. Distractions from “important” kingdom work.

And Jesus is furious.

Mark tells us he was indignant—deeply, visibly angry. He says, “Let the babies come to me. Do not hinder them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Receiving, Not Achieving

This is where we often misunderstand the passage.

We tend to say the kingdom belongs to children because they’re trusting, humble, or innocent. But infants aren’t innocent in the way we imagine. I’ve watched a crawling baby knowingly disobey while smiling the entire time.

That’s not the point.

The kingdom belongs to such as these because infants have nothing to offer.

They bring no achievement.
No productivity.
No credentials.

Only need.

This is what Jesus is getting at when he says the kingdom must be received like a little child. Not earned. Not achieved. Not grasped. Received.

Like a newborn placed into the arms of parents who give everything while expecting nothing in return.

Entering the kingdom happens only by grace—because the King says, “You are welcome.”

When we come saying, “I’ve got nothing,” Jesus says, “Perfect.”

The Long Way Home

One of my favorite books growing up was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. There’s a line near the end where Lucy is told she’ll return to Narnia—but not by looking for it.

That’s the kingdom.

You don’t find it by striving.
You don’t enter by effort.
You receive it in helplessness.

So here’s the question I want you to sit with this week:

How are you seeking the kingdom?

Are you still trying to earn your way in?
Trying to prove something?
Trying to deserve grace?

Or are you coming with empty hands—utterly dependent?

Because when we finally let go, we discover that the kingdom has already been given.

And in that place, we are welcomed into Christ’s arms and blessed.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:39:06 -0400

The debut episode of The Pastor Next Door has been uploaded!

You can subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts or you can listen on my site directly.

Listen here:

Add to any podcast app or RSS reader:

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Spotify:

0.1 — Grace Is the Environment Where Growth Happens

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:28:45 -0400

Welcome to The Pastor Next Door.

This is Season 0, Episode 1—the beginning of a small, slow, grace-centered project built around one core conviction: grace is the environment where growth happens.

In this opening episode, I introduce the heart behind the podcast and the idea of spiritual fitness—not as striving, productivity, or self-optimization, but as a growing capacity to live from our union with Christ. This is not a podcast about rules, recipes, or becoming impressive. It’s about becoming available.

We talk about:

Why spiritual fitness should never be exhausting or moralistic
How grace, not effort, grounds the Christian life
Union with Christ as the starting point—not the goal
Why hurry works against spiritual formation
Doubt as a companion to faith, not its enemy
Ordinary faithfulness over “radical” spirituality
Why this podcast can never replace real, embodied community

Season 0 sets the theological and pastoral foundation for everything that follows. Upcoming seasons will explore personal spiritual fitness, faith deconstruction and reconstruction, congregational life, and leadership—always returning to grace as the starting place.

You don’t need to fix your faith to be here.
You don’t need certainty.
You don’t need to arrive.

Just come as you are. Stay as long as you need.

Next episode: A Faith That Endures

Love well, my friends.

Transcript

Revelation 1 - Seeing the Voice of the Risen Christ

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:20:50 -0400

What follows is an abbreviated transcript of the live recording. To listen to an unabridged version you can listen here: Revelation 1 - Seeing the Voice of the Risen Christ

Revelation chapter 1 functions as the doorway into the entire book. It sets the tone, establishes the purpose, and introduces us to the Christ we will encounter throughout the vision. The chapter unfolds in three movements: a prologue, an opening greeting, and a breathtaking vision of the risen Jesus.

A Revelation, Not a Disaster

The book opens with these words:

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place…” (Revelation 1:1–3)

The word translated revelation comes from the Greek apokalypsis. Over time, “apocalypse” has come to mean devastation or catastrophe, but that was never its original meaning. Apokalypsis means an unveiling, a revealing. Revelation is not meant to terrify God’s people—it is meant to reveal Jesus Christ.

This unveiling flows downward: God the Father gives the revelation to Jesus, Jesus sends it through an angel, the angel delivers it to John, and John bears witness to what he has seen so that the church might hear it. From the very beginning, Revelation is presented as a book meant to be read aloud in worship and received by God’s people together.

There is a blessing promised here—not only for the one who reads it, but for those who hear it and take it to heart. Revelation is not an outlier text reserved for specialists or thrill-seekers. It is Scripture given to sustain the church.

Avoiding the Two Ditches

Historically, Christians tend to fall into one of two ditches when it comes to Revelation.

The first is wooden literalism—trying to decode every symbol, map timelines, and assign modern equivalents to every image. The second is avoidance—treating Revelation as too strange or confusing to bother with, preferring to camp out in more familiar territory.

Both approaches miss the point.

Revelation is meant to be heard, received, and trusted because it forms God’s people for perseverance. When rightly understood, it encourages faithfulness in the face of suffering. It reminds us that evil does not have the final word and that history is moving toward God’s promised future.

A Trinitarian Greeting

John addresses the seven churches of Asia with grace and peace from:

the one who is, who was, and who is to come,
the seven spirits before the throne,
and Jesus Christ.

This is a profoundly Trinitarian greeting. The “seven spirits” should be understood as the Holy Spirit—the fullness and perfection of God’s presence. Jesus is described as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

That last phrase would have landed with particular force for Christians living under Roman rule. The emperor claimed ultimate authority, yet John boldly declares that Jesus—not Caesar—is the true ruler of the world. For a persecuted church, this was not abstract theology; it was encouragement to endure.

A Kingdom of Priests

Jesus is also the one who loves us, frees us from our sins by his blood, and makes us a kingdom of priests. Salvation is not merely rescue from something; it is a calling into something. God’s people are freed in order to serve—to mediate God’s presence in the world and invite creation into worship.

Revelation consistently resists the idea of faith as an escape plan. We are not saved in order to withdraw from the world, but to faithfully inhabit it as priests of God’s kingdom.

The Coming King

Revelation 1 gives us our first glimpse of Christ’s return:

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…”

This is no secret event. Scripture does not envision a hidden or silent return of Christ. His coming will be unmistakable, public, and universal. The goal is not the church escaping the world, but God renewing it—bringing heaven and earth together, making all things new.

The mourning described here is not merely fear or judgment. It is the human response to overwhelming holiness. Like Isaiah before the throne of God, humanity will be undone by the beauty and purity of Christ.

Seeing the Voice

John then describes his vision of the risen Jesus—language so rich and symbolic it defies literal interpretation. The imagery is not meant to be diagrammed but felt. Jesus’ appearance overwhelms John, who falls as though dead.

Yet the story does not end there.

Jesus places his right hand on John—a sign of fellowship and reassurance—and says, “Do not be afraid.” The holy Christ is also the gentle Savior. The one who terrifies is the same one who comforts.

Jesus declares that he was dead and is now alive forever, holding the keys of death and Hades. Death is no longer the final enemy. Jesus has entered it, defeated it, and emerged victorious. For believers facing suffering or even martyrdom, this is hope: death has been unlocked from the inside.

The Church Held in His Hand

The chapter ends with Jesus explaining the vision. The seven lampstands represent the seven churches, and the seven stars in his hand represent their messengers—the pastors entrusted with their care. The image is one of protection and presence. The church exists not by its own strength but because it is held securely by Christ.

Why Revelation Matters

Revelation does not give us a timeline to master. It gives us a vision to inhabit. It shapes our imagination so that we can live faithfully in the present, confident in God’s future.

It calls us to patient endurance, faithful witness, and hope rooted not in escape, but in resurrection.

And above all, it reveals Jesus Christ—alive, reigning, and present with his people.

God's Kingdom Come - God's Kingdom Comes Near

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:34:18 -0400

To listen to the full audio of this message you can click here: God’s Kingdom Come - God’s Kingdom Comes Near We’ve entered a new season in the life of the church.

Every year, Christians move through a rhythm that shapes our imagination and our lives. Our “new year” doesn’t begin on January 1, but with Advent, as we prepare for Christ’s coming. That preparation gives way to the twelve days of Christmas, which conclude on January 6 with Epiphany—the season when we reflect on what it means for Jesus to be revealed as Messiah, King, and Emmanuel, God with us.

Epiphany is a season of unveiling. In some traditions it’s marked by special services, familiar hymns like We Three Kings, and even cultural celebrations like king cakes. But beneath all of that symbolism is a deeper question: What does it mean that Jesus is King—and what kind of kingdom does he bring?

Epiphany also serves as a bridge. It continues our preparation and leads us toward Lent. And so, over the next several weeks, we’re going to spend time wrestling with Jesus’ announcement of God’s kingdom.

What Are We Really Praying For?

Every week, when we gather for worship, we pray the Lord’s Prayer:

“Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10)

We pray this so often that it can become familiar—almost automatic. But have we really paused to consider what we’re asking for?

When we pray for something specific—healing, guidance, provision—we usually have a clear picture in mind. But when we pray “your kingdom come,” what are we envisioning? What would it actually look like if God’s kingdom showed up right here, right now? Would we recognize it? Would we be ready for it? Or might we be looking for something else entirely?

These are the questions we’ll be sitting with together.

Our Assumptions About Kings and Kingdoms

When we hear the word kingdom, most of us immediately picture a king—someone with power, wealth, armies, and authority over others. Whether our image is romantic or cynical, it usually involves domination, control, and expansion.

Worldly kingdoms operate this way. Power flows from the top down. Success is measured by territory, influence, and strength. History gives us countless examples—from the Roman Empire to modern nations.

But is that what Jesus means when he announces the kingdom of heaven?

The Gospels suggest otherwise.

The kingdom Jesus brings is upside down. It does not operate by power over others, but by power with others. It does not move from the top down, but from the bottom up. Our King does not arrive on a warhorse with chariots and weapons. He comes as an infant—and leaves the scene on a cross (Philippians 2:6–8).

This kingdom reshapes everything we think we know about power, authority, and success.

The Kingdom Begins in an Unexpected Place

Matthew tells us that Jesus’ public ministry begins after John the Baptist is arrested (Matthew 4:12). With John’s voice silenced, Jesus steps forward and begins proclaiming the kingdom.

But notice where he goes.

Rather than launching his ministry in Jerusalem—the center of religious, political, and economic power—Jesus withdraws to Galilee (Matthew 4:13). Specifically, to Galilee of the Gentiles.

Galilee was a crossroads. Jews and Gentiles lived side by side. Commerce flowed through the region. It was a place where the message could spread outward. From the very beginning, Jesus signals that this kingdom is not reserved for one group or one nation. It is universal in scope (Matthew 28:19).

Matthew connects this moment to the prophet Isaiah:

“The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land
of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
(Matthew 4:16; cf. Isaiah 9:1–2)

The kingdom of heaven arrives as light breaking into darkness.

“Repent, for the Kingdom Has Come Near”

Jesus’ message is remarkably simple:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
(Matthew 4:17)

Unfortunately, the word repent carries a lot of baggage for us. Many of us hear it and immediately picture angry street preachers shouting threats of hellfire. Turn or burn.

But that is not what Jesus is doing here.

The word repent literally means to turn—to change direction. It’s a 180-degree reorientation of one’s life. Yes, it involves turning away from sin (cf. Colossians 3:5–9). But more importantly, it involves turning toward something.

Jesus is inviting people who are walking toward darkness—toward fear, death, and brokenness—to turn toward light, life, and wholeness. He is announcing that a new way of living is now available because the kingdom has drawn near.

Repentance is not just about what we leave behind. It’s about what we move toward.

From Darkness to Light

Throughout Scripture, the kingdom of God is described as a movement:

from darkness to light (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:5)
from death to life (John 5:24)
from fear to love (1 John 4:18)

Jesus later says it plainly:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10)

To repent, then, is to turn toward that life. To choose the way of love instead of fear. Grace instead of control. Light instead of darkness.

This kingdom is marked not by domination, but by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

Paul describes this movement clearly:

“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
(Colossians 1:13)

A Question to Carry With Us

As we begin this journey through the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom, I want to invite you to hold one question in the back of your mind:

Which kingdom am I walking toward?

Am I oriented toward a dominion shaped by fear, anger, resentment, and power?
Or am I turning—again and again—toward the kingdom of the beloved Son, a kingdom rooted in light, love, mercy, and grace?

Jesus announces that God’s kingdom has come near. The invitation before us is not simply to believe that—but to turn toward it, and to learn how to live under a different King.

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:22:57 -0400

I’m working on this new series of messages focusing on God’s Kingdom Come. It’s so formative for me. I hope that it will be helpful for the people I serve too.

An Introduction to Revelation

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:37:49 -0400

You can listen to the full audio here: Beyond Sunday School: Revelation - Introduction

Revelation is one of the most misunderstood—and most avoided—books of the Bible. It can feel strange, confusing, even frightening. Dragons, beasts, bowls of wrath, angels, demons—it’s easy to wonder what we’re supposed to do with a book like this.

We begin with a simple question: What is Revelation actually trying to do?

My hope is that as we work through this book together, Revelation will become less scary and more hopeful, less about decoding the future and more about forming faithful people in the present.

A Letter to Real People

Revelation is, first and foremost, a letter. It was written to real churches, in real cities, facing real pressure and persecution.

The author tells us his name is John. Which John? We don’t know for sure and that’s okay. The original audience didn’t need that information to understand the message. Modern readers tend to fixate on details the ancient world simply didn’t worry about. They were less concerned with precision and more concerned with meaning.

Soaked in the Old Testament

One thing becomes clear almost immediately: Revelation is steeped in the Old Testament. Its imagery, symbols, and themes are drawn from Israel’s Scriptures. Revelation isn’t inventing a new story, it’s retelling God’s story using familiar images in unfamiliar ways.

That’s why we’ll keep circling back to the Old Testament as we go.

Not a Timeline, but a Spiral

Revelation doesn’t move in a straight line. It doesn’t unfold like a timeline where one event leads neatly to the next. Instead, it tells the same story over and over again, each time from a different angle.

After an opening vision and letters to seven real churches, the book pulls back the curtain and shows us a deeper reality: God’s throne, the Lamb, and the unseen spiritual forces at work in the world. From there, we move through cycles—the seals, the trumpets, the bowls—each retelling the story of creation, brokenness, redemption, and hope.

The theological word for this is recapitulation. Revelation spirals rather than progresses. Problems arise when we try to force it into a strict, linear timeline. That approach creates fear, speculation, and confusion; and it misses the point.

A Book Full of Symbols

Revelation communicates primarily through symbolism. That doesn’t make it less true; it’s simply how this kind of literature works.

When John describes Jesus with a sword coming out of his mouth, he’s not giving us a literal picture. He’s using imagery to communicate power—the Word of God that judges, heals, and restores. Revelation is full of scenes like this: vivid images meant to shape our imagination and faith.

When in doubt, symbolism is usually the right starting point.

Knowing Our Limits

We also need to admit our limitations. We are not first-century people. We don’t share the cultural instincts of Revelation’s original audience. There will be moments when the most honest answer is, we’re not entirely sure.

What we can say with confidence is this: Revelation cannot mean something to us that it did not mean to them. It was not written to predict modern geopolitics or chart the end of the world in detail.

What Revelation Is Really For

Revelation was written to encourage perseverance.

The churches receiving this letter were facing suffering and persecution. John himself was exiled by Rome. Revelation exists to remind God’s people that despite appearances, God reigns—and the Lion who is the Lamb has already conquered through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Because of that, God’s people can press on. They can remain faithful. They can live with integrity even in hardship.

That is the heart of Revelation.

When read this way, Revelation becomes not a book of fear, but a book of hope—a reminder that God is faithful, Christ has won, and perseverance is possible.

As we begin this journey together, what has shaped the way you’ve understood—or avoided—the book of Revelation up to now?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:38:42 -0400

If you live in the Ypsilanti/AnnArbor area, you’re invited tomorrow night for Tap Room Tuesday. We have conversations that matter…

Week 1: How Do We Decide What’s True? Join us as we explore how we form beliefs, who we trust, and what “truth” even means.

📅 Tuesday · ⏰ 8 PM · 📍 The Tap Room

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 23:06:39 -0400

Today we celebrated our nephew Kyle marrying Lindsey. It was the culmination of an amazing weekend here in Jeffersonville, IN.

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 12:12:39 -0400

Knocked out my “Long Easy Run” for the week. I did a 5 minute warm up at 3.5 mph. Jogged 40 minutes uninterrupted at 1% incline and 11:45/mile pace. Then jogged 10 minutes at the same pace at 0% incline. Finished with 5 minutes at 3.5 mph.

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:55:12 -0400

2026’s fist lift is in the books. Can I lift 2,000,000 pounds this year?

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:42:44 -0400

Solid year in the gym!

Lives Hidden With Christ - Devoted

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 16:09:39 -0400

For the full sermon audio message click here: Lives Hidden With Christ - Devoted

We have come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Over these weeks, we’ve walked carefully through this small but theologically rich book, and now we arrive at its final exhortation. Today, our focus is Colossians 4:2–6. Beginning in verse 7, Paul turns to personal greetings, material we touched on in our introductory message, so here, at the close, we attend to the heart of his final instruction.

Paul writes:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
(Colossians 4:2–6)

A Life Hidden with Christ

From the very beginning, we said that the heart of Colossians is this vision of a life hidden with Christ. The church in Colossae was facing pressure from outside teachers, voices insisting that fullness with God required rule-keeping, special knowledge, or spiritual techniques. Paul responds decisively: life with God is not found in striving or spectacle, but in Christ himself.

To live hidden with Christ means setting our minds on things above. It means putting to death what belongs to our old way of life and putting on compassion, kindness, humility, and love. Our lives are meant to look different—not because we are superior, but because we belong to Jesus.

So it is striking that as Paul brings this letter to a close, after casting such a beautiful vision of the Christian life, he begins here:

“Devote yourselves to prayer.”

Prayer as the Air We Breathe

For Paul, a life hidden with Christ begins—and continues—with prayer.

To be devoted to prayer is not to master a technique or recite the right words. It is a posture of constancy, attentiveness, and perseverance. Paul envisions prayer as something ongoing, something woven into the fabric of everyday life, like the air we breathe or the water in which we swim.

So often, we treat prayer as a spiritual specialty. Some people are “prayer warriors,” while the rest of us quietly assume prayer just isn’t our gift. We imagine prayer requires the right posture, the right words, or the right intensity. But Paul makes no such distinctions.

Prayer is not magic. It is not reserved for experts. There is no “correct” posture, volume, or formula. You can pray out loud or silently, on your knees or lying in bed. If you fall asleep while praying, God is not offended, rest, too, is a gift.

Paul’s call is simple and profound: be devoted to prayer. Let it be natural. Let it be ordinary. Let it be constant.

Watchful and Thankful

Paul pairs devotion to prayer with watchfulness and gratitude. Prayer, more than anything else, teaches us to pay attention.

When we are devoted to prayer, we begin to notice people. We become more present, more attentive, more aware of the needs and stories unfolding around us. It’s not that opportunities suddenly appear out of nowhere, it’s that we finally see them.

I’ve noticed this in my own life. During seasons when prayer shapes my days, brief prayers while driving, walking, or pausing, people seem more likely to say, “Can you pray for me?” It’s not because the world suddenly changes. It’s because prayer changes me. I make eye contact. I listen. I notice.

There’s a story I love that captures this perfectly. Years ago, friends of ours in Bloomington-Normal felt called to serve international students at Illinois State University. Yet they were convinced none existed, despite living there for forty years. Their ministry coach encouraged them to pray simply that God would help them see.

They did, and suddenly international students were everywhere. Entire residence halls. Hundreds of faces they had never noticed before.

Prayer had opened their eyes.

And that watchfulness naturally led to gratitude. They were overwhelmed with thankfulness for the people God had placed right in front of them all along.

Prayer That Sends Us Out

Paul then asks the Colossians to pray—not just for themselves, but for those proclaiming the gospel:

“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

This is a good and necessary reminder. We pray for missionaries. We pray for pastors. We pray for one another, that the mystery of Christ would be spoken clearly and faithfully.

But prayer does not stop there.

When prayer becomes the air we breathe, it shapes the way we live among others. As a friend of mine often says, “Before you talk to people about God, talk to God about people.”

That posture leads directly into Paul’s words in verses 5 and 6.

Conversations Full of Grace

Paul calls us to wisdom, intentionality, and grace toward those outside the faith:

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”

Grace means meeting people where they are, not demanding they change before they belong. It means showing up in their lives without conditions or strings attached. This is how God has always worked.

God wanted to save humanity, so God became human. In Christ, God entered our world, walked alongside us, and loved us with compassion and truth. Jesus knew how to answer people because he knew how to see them.

We are called to live the same way.

Transformation does not happen through arguments or logic alone. Change happens through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our role is not to coerce belief, but to create spaces of belonging, places where people are welcomed, loved, and seen.

We do not believe and then belong.
We belong, and then belief grows.

Seasoned with Salt

Salt, used well, does not overpower. It brings out what is already there. It enhances flavor.

This is what grace does. Followers of Jesus should bring out the best in the people around them. Our presence should help others become more fully themselves—not trapped, preserved, or boxed in, but freed to grow.

Too much salt preserves things exactly as they are. Grace, rightly lived, invites growth.

So we must ask ourselves: Are our lives bringing out the best in others? Are we creating communities where people can belong, grow, and encounter love without conditions?

A People in Process

Paul ends Colossians reminding us that this life, hidden with Christ, is not about arrival, but about formation. Even Paul says he has not yet arrived. We are all in process, being shaped by grace.

That is why we return again and again to Scripture. That is why we pray. That is why we keep taking the next small step.

If we leave Colossians with one tangible invitation, it is this:

Be a people devoted to prayer.
Let prayer be the air you breathe.
Let grace shape your conversations.
Let your life, hidden with Christ, be good news to the world.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your grace, your mercy, and your love revealed in Jesus. Thank you that we are invited into your presence through prayer, freely and fully. Shape us into a people who are watchful, thankful, and gracious. May our lives proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly, not just in our words, but in the way we love.
Amen.

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:34:56 -0400

Merry Christmas!

We are reminded today that the kingdom of God breaks into the world not by might but in meekness.

The powers of this world shattered by the cry of an infant in the arms of a mother watched over by a guardian father in obscurity.

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:19:22 -0400

I am grateful for last night and our Christmas Eve gathering. It was wonderful to simply sing and hear the lessons again.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Lives Hidden With Christ - Grounded

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:28:01 -0400

Note: This text based post is very much a summary. To hear my full exposition, grab a couple cups of coffee and listen to here: Lives Hidden With Christ - Grounded

As we turn to this passage in Colossians, we are coming down from some of the highest Christology and richest theology in the letter. Paul has been painting a sweeping vision of who Christ is and what it means for our lives to be “hidden with Christ.” Last week we ended with this summary statement:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17)

That verse naturally raises a question: What does that actually look like in real life? How does this grand theology land in the ordinary places where we live every day?

Paul’s answer is surprisingly concrete. He takes this vision and applies it to the most intimate setting of daily life: the household.

For some readers—ancient and modern alike—this is where the tension begins.

A Difficult Passage, Then and Now

Colossians 3:18–4:1 is one of those passages that makes pastors sweat a little. It raises questions. It frustrates modern readers. And my answers, at times, may feel unsatisfying.

But that discomfort is important.

These verses must be read in context, both literary and historical. They come at the end of everything Paul has already said about identity in Christ, about dying and rising with Jesus, about putting on a new way of life. And they were written by a real person, living in a particular time and place, addressing real social structures that existed in the first-century world.

Just as importantly, this passage was not easy for Paul’s original audience either. It was challenging, subversive, and unsettling—but in different ways than it is for us.

With that in mind, let’s turn to the text.

The Text: Colossians 3:18–4:1

Paul addresses three pairs within the household:

Wives and husbands
Children and fathers
Slaves and masters

These are often called household codes, a common form of moral instruction in the Greco-Roman world. Philosophers frequently wrote about how households should function, because the household was seen as the foundation of society.

But Paul’s version is doing something very different.

Wives and Husbands: Love That Subverts Power

Paul begins:

“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

Let’s start with husbands.

The word Paul uses for “love” is agapē—a self-sacrificial, others-first love. This was radical in the Roman world. As far as we know, no secular household code from this period ever commanded husbands to love their wives this way.

Roman husbands were expected to control their households, not sacrifice themselves for them.

Paul turns that expectation upside down. Christian husbands are called to put their wives’ needs above their own, to love with gentleness rather than harshness. This reframes authority entirely. Strength is no longer expressed through domination, but through self-giving love.

Then Paul turns to wives and uses the word submit. That word understandably causes discomfort for modern readers, often because we associate submission with passivity, coercion, or abuse.

But the Greek word (hypotassō) does not mean blind obedience. It carries the sense of voluntarily offering oneself, of giving appropriate respect. Notice that Paul says, “submit yourselves.” This assumes agency.

Read in the context of the couplet, the picture becomes clearer. Wives are called to come alongside husbands who are already committed to loving them sacrificially. This is not a call to endure abuse or domination. It is a vision of mutual devotion shaped by Christ.

In Ephesians, Paul makes this explicit by calling believers to “submit to one another.” Christian marriage, in Paul’s vision, is not about hierarchy—it is about shared life under Christ.

Children and Fathers: Authority Without Discouragement

Next, Paul addresses children and fathers:

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Here Paul uses a different word—obey—rather than submit. Children are called to obedience, rooted in their relationship to Christ.

But notice how Paul addresses fathers. In the Roman world, fathers had nearly absolute authority. Children were often treated as economic assets rather than as people to be nurtured.

Paul pushes back against that. Fathers are warned not to crush their children’s spirits, not to provoke discouragement. He is calling fathers to emotional care, gentleness, and attentiveness—another deeply subversive move.

In our culture, fathers are often portrayed as either buffoons or tyrants. Paul offers a better vision: fathers as steady, loving presences who give their hearts to their children and reflect the love of Christ.

Slaves and Masters: Subversion from Within

Finally, Paul addresses slaves and masters—a section that may trouble modern readers the most.

Paul does not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery here, and that can feel deeply frustrating. But we must remember the historical context. Slavery was an unquestioned economic reality of the first-century world. For Paul to denounce it outright would not have been heard as prophetic, it would have been dismissed as incoherent.

Instead, Paul undermines the institution from within.

He tells slaves that their ultimate master is Christ, that their work has dignity and meaning beyond their circumstances, and, astonishingly, that they will receive an inheritance from the Lord. In Roman society, slaves never received inheritances. Paul gives hope where none existed.

Then he turns to masters and says something extraordinary:

“Provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

In other words: you are not as powerful as you think. Before Christ, masters are no more than slaves themselves.

Paul levels the ground beneath everyone’s feet.

The Bigger Picture: Lives Hidden with Christ

Throughout this passage, Paul is not endorsing oppressive systems. He is reshaping relationships by placing Christ at the center.

Whether in marriage, parenting, or economic life, the guiding question remains the same:

Are we living as people whose lives are hidden with Christ?

For those with power, that means self-sacrificial love.
For those without power, it means faithful witness and trust in the Lord who sees and rewards.

Paul grounds the gospel in the most personal places of life, reminding us that following Jesus is not abstract—it is deeply relational.

A Question for Reflection

So here is the challenge Paul leaves us with:

Am I loving my spouse as though I am loving Christ?
Am I parenting, or honoring my parents, as though I am serving Christ?
Am I working, leading, or following as though my true master is Jesus?

In everything, in word or deed, are we doing it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him?

That is the vision Paul sets before us.

And it is still challenging us today.

Advent and the Sign of Compassionate Grace

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.”

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.”

— Isaiah 7:10–16, NIV

Sometimes these readings are strange. Sometimes readings from the Revised Common Lectionary are interesting precisely because they force us to read the broader context of famous lines we often take out of context.

This is one of those readings.

Isaiah 7 is a fascinating chapter. Ahaz is the grandson of Uzziah (the king who died in the year Isaiah was called as a prophet). During Ahaz’s reign in Judah, two other kings are laying siege to the city. Both the people and the king are afraid. At the beginning of chapter 7, God tells Isaiah what to say to Ahaz in order to encourage him in the face of that fear.

Then we arrive at this passage and an unusual command from God: “Ask for a sign.”

Could you imagine?

God commands Ahaz to ask for a sign. In grace, God offers Ahaz this kindness. It is as if God is saying, “I know you’re scared. I get it. Those two armies are no joke. I want you to know that I have you. I will protect you. You don’t need to be afraid. Ask for a sign, anything. I will prove that I will take care of you.”

Ahaz, in what appears to be a form of false piety, replies, “No thanks. I will not put the LORD to the test.”

Isaiah is exasperated. He has heard enough. I have to imagine he has been hearing plenty of, “Where is your God now, Isaiah? Why isn’t God showing up to protect us?” So God compassionately and graciously offers to provide a sign “in the deepest depths or the highest heights,” and Ahaz responds with a dismissive, “No.”

As a result, we receive the prophecy about the “virgin” (some manuscripts read young woman) conceiving and bearing a son who will be called Immanuel, God with us. The early church embraced this as a prophecy about Jesus. The early Judean followers of Christ searched the Scriptures (what modern Christians call the Old Testament) for signs and patterns that pointed to him. They developed a hermeneutic shaped by reading Israel’s Scriptures through the lens of the resurrected Christ.

What strikes me, however, is not the prophecy itself.

What strikes me is how unimpressed God is with false piety.

God does not desire a performative or artificial faith. God desires a real faith, even a faith that needs signs. Even a faith that struggles. Even a faith that wavers.

This, I think, is at the heart of what it means to proclaim Immanuel, God with us. Too often we think of this merely in terms of proximity. But it is more than that. God is with us in our doubt and in our struggle to believe. God is with us in our fear, our worry, and our anxiety. In the midst of it all, God deals with us in compassionate grace.

The question I wrestle with is this: Will I receive it?
Will I receive the sign that is offered, or will I reject God’s compassionate grace for the sake of a false piety?

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:25:30 -0400

My #whamageddon2025 run ended in the most epic way possible last night. My guy, the Beard had the bartender play the song. Before I realized what was happening I couldn’t escape it.

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:48:16 -0400

The ride is in the shop for some maintenance. Excuse to skip the workout? Nope.

Body weight workout it is! Grateful that FitBod is flexible enough to accommodate this with a couple taps. #195by50

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:16:48 -0400

Tuesday nights a group of misfits gather to talk about things that matter. Each year we have a gift exchange and collect things to donate somewhere. This year we collected items for the food pantry and clothing closet run by Lincoln Consolidated Schools.

Ongoing Need List

Lives Hidden With Christ - Yielded

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:35:25 -0400

For the full audio of this message you can listen here, Lives Hidden with Christ - Yielded

This passage from Colossians 3:15-17 is a powerful call to radical Christian living. It challenges us to measure the gap between the ideal of following Jesus and the reality of our daily lives.

Let’s dive into these verses and the three core challenges they present for every believer.

Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

2. Let the Message Dwell: The Challenge of Joyful Worship

The second instruction is a communal one: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…”

The message of Christ—the Gospel—must live deeply among us, becoming the constant story, the shared language we use to encourage one another. When the message of Christ dwells in us richly, we are constantly reminded that we are the reconciled, redeemed people who have received overwhelming forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

The Overflow of the Gospel

What is the outward sign of this message dwelling richly? Joy and Worship.

“…through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

This suggests an overflow of the heart so profound that it turns into music. We are meant to be a people whose existence is not dour or miserable, but one where joy springs from the core of our being. We are to be **“walking musicals,”**radiating an authentic happiness that reflects our deep awareness of Christ’s grace.

🎯 Challenge #2: Cultivate Joy

While you may not literally be the “singy type,” the question remains:

Do you experience a deep, welling joy that stems from the grace you have received?
Do you laugh easily? Are you able to look on the bright side of life and find things to be thankful for?

This inner joy is the evidence that the message of Christ is truly resonating within you. It is the fuel that helps us enter into conflict and maintain peace (Challenge #1).

3. Do It All in His Name: The Challenge of Integrity

Finally, Paul gives the encompassing command for all of life: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This is the great unifier. The following of Jesus is not just one part of our lives; it is all of life.

All of Life is Sacred

We often try to separate the “sacred” (church, prayer, Bible study) from the “secular” (work, traffic, hobbies). Paul eradicates this distinction. It is all sacred.

Your job as a teacher, a vet, or working at a fast-food restaurant is sacred work.
Sitting in traffic is sacred time.
Eating a meal is an opportunity to thank God and do so to the glory of Christ.

The Integrity Test

This command provides a brilliantly simple test for ethical decision-making:

Can I do this thing for the glory of Christ?

If you are wrestling with a decision or an action (X), ask yourself: “Can I do X with a clear conscience, for the glory of Christ?”

If the answer is Yes, then proceed.
If the answer is a simple No, then it is an easy non-starter.

🎯 Challenge #3: Live with Integrity

Are you doing all things, in word and deed, in the name of Jesus?
Do you have integrity? Is the “church you” on Sunday the same as the “random Thursday at 9:00 AM you?”

To live all in the name of Jesus means living without compartmentalization—it means living a life of radical, Christ-centered integrity.

Your Next Steps

The challenges in Colossians 3:15-17 are demanding, but they are the path to a powerful, unified, and joyful life in Christ. This week, choose one of these three challenges to wrestle with:

Peacemaking: Will you enter into a conflict to pursue reconciliation?
Joy: Will you intentionally cultivate gratitude and let the Gospel overflow?
Integrity: Will you commit to doing all of your life—word and deed—to the glory of Christ?

Until Joy Overtakes Us - Being the Answer to "Your Kingdom Come"

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:16:47 -0400

The end of last week got away from me, and so, I didn’t write up this reflection on time. I truly intend for these reflections to go out each Sunday, but sometimes I fall short.

The passage for this third week of Advent is from Isaiah:

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. - Isaiah 35:1-10

As I read this, I cannot help but think of the two tragedies that occurred over the weekend. One in the United States and the other on a beach in Australia.

At Brown University, a man opened fire on campus, killing at least two students and leaving many injured. The shooter is still at large.
In Australia, a father and son opened fire at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach. They killed at least fifteen people, including a ten-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor who shielded his wife with his own body.

Sorrow and sighing are fully in our midst.

The world we find ourselves in is brutal, filled with heartache and pain. There seems to be a “ravenous beast” behind every corner. I deeply long for the day when gladness and joy will overtake us.

As we look around this broken world, saturated in pain and grief, what are we to do?

The Hope of the Gospel

For me, I return again and again to the hope we see in this passage: that someday there will be a time when gladness and joy completely replace sorrow and sighing.

We glimpsed this hope in the first coming of Christ. It was a foretaste of what we will one day experience forever. In that first coming, there was healing, there was joy, and yet grief and pain remained. What we saw was merely the trailer for the main attraction. Someday, Emmanuel will come and stay among us for eternity.

This is the great mystery and beauty of the gospel story. It is not about us being whisked away to heaven. No, it is about us longingly hoping for the day when Christ comes to be with us forever. This is the hope of the gospel: that someday the kingdom of God will truly be on Earth as it is in heaven. So, we hope and wait with expectation.

This hope is something that we must fight for every single day. It is a hope rooted in an expectation built upon the resurrection.

Our Charge

Until that day, we are to be the answer to the prayer, “Your kingdom come…”

Who will be the ones to wipe away tears? We must.
Who are the ones pursuing justice and righteousness? We must.
Who are the ones to tell the fearful, “Be strong and be courageous”? We must!

We are called to be the people who demonstrate the joy rooted in the hope of the coming Christ.

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:44:44 -0400

If you’re in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area, come on out to Tap Room tonight for a special “Ask Me Anything,” at 8 pm.

Lives Hidden With Christ - Put on Love

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:31:23 -0400

You can listen to this message here: Lives Hidden With Christ - Put on Love

Colossians 3:5–14 is a passage overflowing with challenge, hope, and vision for what it means to live as renewed people in Christ.

Paul writes:

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:5-14, NIV

There is enough in this passage to preach on for months. But today I want to focus on what I believe is the heart of the whole section: verse 14 — “Over all these virtues put on love.”

Love is not just one virtue among many. It is the virtue that holds all the others together. It is the defining mark of people whose lives are “hidden with Christ” (v. 3), people who have been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son.

Paul’s question is essentially this:
What does a renewed life look like?
His answer: love—love expressed, embodied, practiced.

So how do we put on this love?

2. We Bear With One Another

If forgiveness seems hard, “bearing with one another” might feel even harder.

Bearing with others means choosing to stay in community with people who annoy, frustrate, or exhaust us. We all have a “Bill” in our lives—the person we’d rather avoid. Yet Paul says love chooses to bear up, to stay present, to walk alongside.

And bearing with one another gives us plenty of opportunities to practice forgiveness.

This is what love looks like in real life.

3. We Clothe Ourselves Daily in Christlike Virtues

Paul then writes:

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

These are not traits we put on once and forget. We “get dressed” in them every day. Just as we change out of our pajamas each morning, we intentionally choose compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

If you notice a lack of these qualities in your life, the deeper question is not “How do I try harder?” but “Do I know—deeply know—that I am loved?”

My mom, who taught for more than thirty years, used to say that the kindest students were always those who knew they were loved at home. Loved children could be patient, gentle, and kind. Those who felt unloved or unseen often acted out simply to be noticed. But when a teacher loved them well, something transformed.

The same is true for us. When we are grounded in God’s love, these virtues begin to overflow.

4. We Put to Death the Old Self

Before clothing ourselves with these virtues, Paul tells us to take off the old self:

sexual immorality
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed (and the whole list, he says, is a form of idolatry)

Idolatry at its core is worshiping self—placing our desires at the center. These behaviors grow out of forgetting who we are and where our life is found: hidden with Christ in God.

Paul then names the destructive communal behaviors that flow from the same root: anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying.

These too must be “put to death.” Not in the sense of a sudden moment of divine fury—Paul is not describing God losing His temper like a frustrated parent—but in the sense of consequences experienced here and now. When we center ourselves instead of Christ, our actions bear bitter fruit.

5. We Recognize That the Gospel Is for Everyone

In the middle of this passage Paul suddenly writes:

“Here there is no Gentile or Jew… barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all.”

Why insert this here?

Because the gospel reshapes everything—not just our personal morality, but our understanding of humanity itself. Paul deliberately includes every category he can think of: ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, cultural.

Even the barbarians and Scythians—the people the ancient world feared and distrusted.

Which leads to a question for us:

Who are our Scythians?
Who do we see as too far gone, too strange, too frightening, too “other”?

Love compels us to see every person as made in the image of God, every person as someone for whom Christ died.

Love Brings the Kingdom Near

If we put on love—truly put it on—we become the living answer to the prayer we pray each week:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

The kingdom is not something we merely wait for. It is something we bring into the world as we love, forgive, bear with, and bless.

A Final Question for Reflection

So here is the challenge:

Do you know—at the core of your being—that you are loved without condition by your Father in heaven?

Not “Do you believe it intellectually?”
but “Do you know it in your bones?”

Because when you know you are loved:

forgiveness becomes natural,
gentleness becomes possible,
compassion becomes instinctive,
patience becomes your posture,
and love becomes who you are.

May we be a people who live from that deep, transforming knowledge of God’s love.

Amen.

Advent Reflections - Justice, Hope, and Becoming Like Christ

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0400

I think one of my enduring memories of Advent as a child is the Advent calendar. I don’t recall us using one very often, but I distinctly remember them being in our house. So many Advent calendars had little chocolates or other treats behind each door. I also remember the Christmas countdown rings—red and green paper strips linked into a chain, with one link removed each day leading up to Christmas. The goal was Christmas morning and getting to open presents.

Yes, Christmas was Jesus’ birthday, but it was also about the presents! It was about waking up and seeing that Santa Claus had arrived. I loved (and still do) opening the stockings hung by the chimney with care. Seeing the presents under the tree was always a thrill. It was just so fun.

I think Christmas ought to be fun! It is a celebration of the coming of Christ. But I am also growing to see the role that Advent plays. It’s a time to remind us that Christ did not come simply to give us gifts. While his story culminated in the resurrection, that was not all he came to accomplish.

As I ponder and read the Advent readings this year, I am deeply struck by what the prophets proclaimed and how their words point to Christ. Consider this week’s reading from Isaiah 11:1–9:

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
— Isaiah 11:1–9, NRSV

This is one of those passages filled with imagery we can hold onto—the “wolf shall live with the lamb” and the like. Yet that’s not what stood out to me this time.

Did you catch that line in the middle?

“He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”

I have to confess, I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed those verses before.

There is something important here we need to grasp. In the ancient world, judgments were often shaped by prejudice. A person’s appearance or speech could determine whether they received justice—and this was especially true for the poor.

Can you imagine living in a culture where you’re judged by your appearance or how you speak?

Oh wait.

It turns out people haven’t changed much over the millennia. As much as things change, they stay the same.

In both 1 Corinthians and James, partiality—giving certain people preferential treatment—was a significant problem. Paul and James both had to address it. The early church was not immune to the struggles common to all humanity.

Christ, to whom the early church applied this passage from Isaiah 11, was one who judged with righteousness. He did not judge by outward appearances. Righteousness in Christ is a standard not rooted in partiality but flowing from his very being.

It stands to reason that the Church is to embody this ethic. To be found in Christ is to live like him. Christ did not come simply to offer hope of a future heaven. No—he was ushering in the Kingdom of God here and now. This means that, of all people, those who claim to follow him are to pursue justice and righteousness in spite of outward appearances or social standing.

Advent is the season when we are called to remember. We remember the hope of Christ—and not just the hope, but the promise of justice.

Advent is a time of reflection. I need to wrestle with how I am practicing these values. How am I caught up in my own prejudices and partialities? Who am I willing to deny justice because of something external?

Advent isn’t really about little chocolates or a countdown to Santa Claus. It is a season to remember and reflect, to grow in the hope that we will become more like Christ as we prepare for his coming.

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:35:05 -0400

Who else is playing?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:35:05 -0400

It is so peaceful.

Tap Room Tuesdays Donations

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:48:37 -0400

Each year the community that we call, Tap Room Tuesdays picks a local organization to support at the end of the year. This year, we are gathering donations for the Brick Elementary Food Pantry and the Lincoln Clothes Closet. If you would like to donate anything to the cause, you can drop things off on our porch until December 16 or you can order from Amazon and ship them to me: Amazon List

Here are the items that we are collecting:

Needs for the Brick Food Pantry:

Hygiene products - body washes, deodorant, tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, unscented lotions.
Hair oil: Blue Magic (can be found at Walmart, Meijer, etc.) and a brand called Isoplus Oil Sheen Spray.
Cleaning products of any kind - Clorox wipes, bathroom cleaning supplies, dish soap.
Baby products: Diapers, wipes, baby food in jars or pouches, and baby cereal. Needs for the

Lincoln Clothing Closet:

Underwear (NEW)
Socks (NEW)
Bras (NEW) The needs are for all ages from babies to grandparents!

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:23:16 -0400

The house looks so pretty tonight. I pinch myself often that we get to live here. So very grateful.

Advent Begins - A Season of Longing

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 13:45:21 -0400

Advent begins today.

Advent is a season of waiting, hoping, and trusting. We wait again for the coming of Christ. We hope that in Christ’s coming all things will be made new. We trust that faith will one day become sight.

Each year we return to particular passages to ponder in light of this season of hopeful waiting. This year is no different. We will reflect and hope and pray.

As I grow older, I’m finding something new stirring in my soul. When I was younger, Advent brought a sense of excitement. It was a spiritual challenge to imagine—again and again—what it might feel like if Christ had not yet come. The philosopher Peter Rollins practices something he calls Atheism for Lent, and for a time I tried to take on a similar mindset during Advent.

But now something new has sprouted in me. The only word I have for it is longing.

Longing for Peace

The Old Testament reading today is Isaiah 2:1–5. It’s a well-known passage—the one about beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks:

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

“In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.’

The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.”
— Isaiah 2:1–5, NIV

As I meditate on this passage, the sense of longing grows within me.

Recently, I’ve found myself weary as I scroll through my social feeds. Day after day I’m bombarded with the awful things happening in the world. And every day it seems that Christians fall short of the name we collectively bear. Yes, many are doing well. The congregations I serve are filled with people who love well. Are we imperfect? Of course. But on the whole, I am deeply encouraged by how well we love.

Yet day after day I am confronted by others who do not love well. Many who bear the name “Christian” seem consumed with longing for power and control—things thoroughly antithetical to the way of Jesus.

It seems that fear has become the currency many Christians trade in. This fear is nothing new; it has fueled Christian anxiety for decades. Somehow, we have lost the spiritual awareness that in Christ we are more than conquerors, and that at the center of who he is we find sacrificial love.

Too often we confuse sacrificial love with weakness. But there is no weakness in the meek Christ. To love as Christ loves—sacrificially—is to draw from a strength rooted in eternity. When we give ourselves over to fear, we move away from the love found in Christ. Fear is the old way. Love is the new way.

I am confident that love is strong because of its effect.

The Effect of God’s Love: Peace

Read Isaiah’s passage again.

The people come to the mountain of the Lord—and what is the result?

Peace.

But what do you think of when you imagine “peace”? Do you picture quiet? Or do you think in terms of justice?

The peace described here is the latter. Notice that Isaiah says the Lord will “judge.” This judgment is not the petty kind found in middle-school hallways. It is the judgment that brings justice by settling disputes. And when justice is established, nations stop taking up swords against one another.

The effect of God’s love is justice through righteous judgment—justice that produces peace. And this peace is not just individual; it is global.

I long for this peace.

Living as Peacemakers

So what do I do? It seems to me that I must seek to practice this peacemaking in my own life. This means:

Intentionally setting aside fear and embracing love.
Seeking to understand what justice looks like in any particular situation.
Judging in accordance with justice.
Acting on that judgment through sacrificial love in order to make peace.

During this Advent season, I am praying that this longing inside me moves me to action.

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:13:35 -0400

I am grateful for time spent with family.

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:05:42 -0400

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:29:29 -0400

Saturday morning walks with Amy are the best. 🥾

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:49:02 -0400

I got some new art that was created by ghostlygideon! They are thoughtful pieces. The first is, “The Things We Never Said” and the second is “Strangers”.

I find them to be hauntingly beautiful. “The Things We Never Said” is a reminder for me to ensure that I don’t leave the important things unsaid. Life is fleeting, we are not promised tomorrow.
What I most appreciate about “Strangers”, is that it gives me the sense that even the figure that is not a shadow, is likely a shadow to the rest. It raises the question in me, “How do you draw the shadows into the light to make one less stranger?”

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:38:29 -0400

November golf in Michigan just hits different. What a life I get to live.

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:44:03 -0400

After Sundays, I would very much like to simply stay in bed all day. During the warm weather, my Monday morning golf with my dad breaks me out of the doldrums. When it’s cold? Well, it is going to have to be this place.

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:59:54 -0400

This Tuesday, Tap Room Tuesday kicks off our new series on “Wealth, Work & Economic Justice” by tackling: “The Ethics of Capitalism.”

Let’s discuss: When does profit-seeking become unethical? What are the moral duties of businesses? Your insights are vital!

🗓️ Tuesdays, 8 PM 📍 The Tap Room

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:57:44 -0400

Saturday morning “run”. It’s getting better but still not where I want to be. Better than Thursday! #195by50

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:41:35 -0400

Today’s lift was great! Barbell should press might now have become my least lift. 😮‍💨 #195by50

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:24:18 -0400

Today was a cardio day. It was tough today. I couldn’t accomplish my goal of three miles jogging. That’s OK! I showed up. That’s all that matters. Saturday will be a better run! #195by50

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:09:10 -0400

Today’s breakfast, while not high in protein was so tasty! #195by50

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:13:52 -0400

Lift day! It was properly difficult and pretty darn fun! #195by50

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:03:44 -0400

Cardio Day: ✅

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:19:04 -0400

Monday lift!

✅💪

#195by50

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 06:51:08 -0400

It doesn’t happen very often, but I scored a perfect week on the Washington Times Keyword…

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 10:41:25 -0400

I enjoyed every minute and every step of this walk today. #195by50

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:25:47 -0400

Got after it this morning! 💪 #195by50

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 21:43:06 -0400

Tonight, Amy and I went out for dinner at Bellflower in Downtown Ypsilanti. The food, ambience, and service were outstanding!

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:16:50 -0400

Cardio day! I am beginning to like it! #195by50

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:52:18 -0400

Wednesday lift 💪💪

#195by50

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:46:54 -0400

Cardio Day and a PR ✅

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:46:51 -0400

Cardio Day and a PR ✅

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:46:16 -0400

I hit my workout goals this week!

I lifted Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Cardio days on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

It is amazing how good your body can feel when you give it good food and move regularly. #195by50

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:55:32 -0400

Another good non-scale victory today. It would have been really easy to skip this morning. I didn’t. It felt great to lift today! #195by50

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:56:09 -0400

Calorie goal: ✅ Protein goal: 🚫 Fiber goal: 🚫 Workout: ✅ Tigers beat Ohio: ✅

All in all a good day. The misses were close, just a few grams. I can’t wait to the gym tomorrow!

#195by50

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:47:32 -0400

Cardio Day!

Ran 3 miles non stop today. A huge NSV for me!

I am going to be able to do a Park Run soon. #195by50

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 20:48:53 -0400

October 1 was a strong day. Hit all the goals today.

The dinner I made tonight was so good! 93/7 ground beef, peppers, onion, taco seasoning, refried beans, guac, salsa, plain greek yogurt on spinach. Filling and delicious! #195by50

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:21:40 -0400

On a day I didn’t want to be here, it still got done. I feel great now that the lift is over. It was worth showing up! #195by50

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:13:56 -0400

Cardio day is the worst. Cardio day is done. #195by50

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:34:36 -0400

Today was tricky, I didn’t have my usual breakfast. I was going to miss my protein goal. So, I ended the day with Greek yogurt mixed with two scoops of protein powder.

A “chocolate pudding”. It was not what one might call “delicious.”

However, it got me to my goals. #195by50

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:10:11 -0400

9/22 259.9 9/29 254.3 (average weight from Monday to Monday)

After my lift today, I unlocked the 5 million pounds lifted badge! Pretty cool.

5 lbs down! 60 to go! #195by50

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 23:41:14 -0400

Hanging out at the University of Iowa for a football Saturday was fantastic! Loved spending the day with Amy, E, Paige, Alan and Lisa.

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 22:51:21 -0400

It was sure fun hanging with Ethan and Paige tonight in Iowa City! Can’t wait for tomorrow, Iowa vs Indiana at Kinnick Stadium and tailgating with our friends the Fisks.

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 21:26:05 -0400

Traveled to Iowa today to visit E. Missed the protein goal, was a bit over on calories.

Tomorrow will be tricky with tailgating. But that’s OK, because it’s the journey not the destination.

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:36:20 -0400

I didn’t want to go to the gym today. I did anyway. Fitness is not a destination, it’s a journey. #195by50

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:01:53 -0400

Another day of hitting my macro goals.

I have figured out a fiber hack: Aunt Millie’s 5 Seed Low Carb bread. It has 35 calories and 9g of fiber per slice.

Forgot to get a pic of lunch (it was tuna and not very pretty 😂).

Cardio day was walking 18 holes (5.8 miles and 1000 ft of elevation). #195by50

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:06:45 -0400

When you walk and play 18 holes of golf, you get a nice bit of exercise. Ditch the golf cart fam (unless you’re physically unable to play without it)! #195by50

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:31:21 -0400

Calorie goal: ✅

Protein goal: ✅

Fiber goal: ✅

Workout: ✅

Dinner was pizza and I still hit my goals. A little bit of planning goes a long way.

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:55:01 -0400

Lifting through the soreness is a wild experience. The endorphin rush hits a bit different. #195by50

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:41:48 -0400

Weigh in Wednesday!

Losing water weight is fun! This is a fun number to share. It’s going to slow down dramatically here soon. But it sure is fun today!

Start: 259.9 9/24: 249.8

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:10:07 -0400

Protein goal: ✅

Fiber goal: ✅

Calorie goal: ✅

Weigh In Wednesday is tomorrow!

#fitnessjourney

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:27:47 -0400

Cardio day…

Not as fun as lifting days…

Working toward a 30 minute 5K…

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 22:01:44 -0400

A good first day of phase 2! Hit my protein goal and stayed under the calorie goal for today. Had a great lift this morning too. One day at a time! #195by50

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:52:55 -0400

Dinner was fire! Posting my meals is really helpful accountability for me.

Day one of phase two is nearly in the books. I forgot how much I enjoyed the process of moving and eating well.

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:48:39 -0400

A little afternoon snack!

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:40:46 -0400

Today’s lunch was last night’s leftovers, nearly 60g of protein! 💪

Lives Hidden With Christ - Reconciled

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:54:00 -0400

Listen to the full message here: Lives Hidden With Chris - Reconciled

We live in a world that seems to thrive on having enemies. Everywhere we turn, someone is telling us who we should hate, who is coming for us, who we must fear. And what’s the expected response? Hate them back. Strike before they strike you. This is the way of the world.

But for those of us who follow Jesus, we are called to be in the world but not of it. We are called to look different—to respond differently.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,

“You’ve heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43–44)

Jesus flips the whole thing upside down. The world says hate; Jesus says love. And though that teaching is two thousand years old, we’re still wrestling with it today.

Why? Because many of us have not fully grasped the reality of the Gospel—what Jesus has done for us through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. If we could even begin to understand that reality, it would transform the way we live.

Instead of seeing enemies, we would begin to see neighbors. Instead of fighting, we would begin to love.

But Now… Reconciliation

Paul doesn’t stop there. He gives us the most hope-filled words:

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22)

That but changes everything.

We couldn’t reconcile ourselves. Every attempt only dug us deeper into alienation. So God stepped in. In Jesus—fully God, fully human—He lived perfectly, without sin, never entering the spiral. And yet He took on the punishment of separation through His death on the cross.

Why? To reconcile us.

So now, Paul says, this is who you are:

Holy in God’s sight
Without blemish
Free from accusation

This is stunning. Even though we still stumble, even though we know our weaknesses and failures, God sees us as holy and whole. He looks at us as though we had never sinned.

No accusation can stand against us.

Living Reconciled

Paul continues:

“…if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.”(Colossians 1:23)

At first glance, this condition may sound like our salvation depends on our effort. But Paul’s wider argument makes clear: our faith is not something we “gin up” ourselves. If we were alienated and helpless, then reconciliation can only come from God’s initiative.

It is Christ’s faithfulness—not ours—that establishes us in hope. And that hope is sure. Not a wish. Not a maybe. A guaranteed reality.

So Paul’s “if” is not a threat but an invitation: Hold fast to what is already secure in Christ.

From Enemies to Neighbors

If God has reconciled us—once enemies in our own minds, now holy and beloved—then how can we look at others the same way?

We begin to see that no one is truly our enemy. Each person is an image bearer of God, one for whom Christ died and rose again. Even if they see us as enemies, we are called to see them as neighbors.

This is how we live out Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. We are freed from the spiral of sin and shame, and we step into a life shaped by grace.

A Question for the Week

Do you really believe what Paul writes here—that in Christ you are holy, without blemish, and free from accusation?

Sit with that question. Wrestle with it. Let it sink deep into your heart. Because when it does, it transforms everything—how you see yourself, how you see God, and how you see every person around you.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, remind us that we are reconciled through Christ. We were once alienated, but now we are holy in your sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Help us to live in this reality, to see others not as enemies but as neighbors, and to walk in the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 20:30:24 -0400

Another phenomenal football Saturday with Libby and the rest of the 236 Fab Five in East Lansing today. #GoGreen 🏈

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:45:48 -0400

I am excited to begin taking the communities I serve through the letter to the Colossians this Sunday.

If you live in the Flint area you can join me at 10:45 am for a service of worship at Peace Presbyterian Church.

If you live in the Ypsilanti area join us at 5:30 for dinner followed by singing, Scripture, communion, and prayer at 6:30 in our home.

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 21:03:14 -0400

Today was spent in East Lansing getting Libby set up for Year 4 at Michigan State! Ths Spring she will be graduating with her degree in Public Relations.

We are so proud of her and all she has already accomplished at MSU!

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:13:24 -0400

This past weekend was spent loading a U-Haul and traveling to Iowa City, Iowa. Ethan is off on his next grand adventure, University of Iowa Law.

His apartment is nice. The town is fantastic. The campus is beautiful.

Amy and I are so proud of him!

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 11:38:46 -0400

Lake day.

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 08:51:44 -0400

Some days are just built different! Yesterday, we spent the day in Detroit hanging out, exploring, laughing, eating, and being present to one another. Life is good.

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:48:27 -0400

As I have read and researched more about this budget bill that was passed today, many verses ran through my mind, this one seems most apropos.

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:06:34 -0400

Absolutely smoked. #Discipline2025

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:16:04 -0400

Bad round of golf, real strong lift. Frustration finding a good and healthy release. 🤣🤣

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:44:44 -0400

Good morning! Here is to a new week! I encourage you to begin the week in intentional community. We need one another in a shared life more than we realize. #MorningMug

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 10:34:53 -0400

13 weeks! 3 lifts and two walks this week.

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 10:08:43 -0400

Saturday lift! Extending the streak!

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:14:32 -0400

Amy and I introduced Libby to Frita Batidos in downtown Ann Arbor tonight. Such a fun little place.

I tried their seasonal, Conch Po Boy, it didn’t disappoint!

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 17:51:54 -0400

Fasting today for a colonoscopy means no lift today or tomorrow. So, a walk it is. Some stupid medical procedure won’t break the streak.

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:14:21 -0400

Have a great day today! #MorningMug

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:17:48 -0400

Good morning from the General Assembly of the EPC. May grace abound today. #MorningMug

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:07:34 -0400

Light lift today. #Discipline2025

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:22:55 -0400

Lift done. Coffee crew. #Discipline2025

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:39:08 -0400

Good morning! May your day be marked by grace. #MorningMug (during General Assembly week the mug looks real different)

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:32:54 -0400

Good morning! May your week be full of joy. #MorningMug

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 07:25:13 -0400

Good morning! Love well today. #MorningMug

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 09:54:00 -0400

Today’s lift got me to week 12! Let’s go!!! #Discipline2025

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:05:48 -0400

Good morning. I hope you can rest today. #MorningMug

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:35:33 -0400

Friday lift! #Discipline2025

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 06:26:46 -0400

Good morning! May you recognize the many graces and mercies in your life today. #MorningMug

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:51:31 -0400

Another day, another lift. #Discipline2025

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:23:34 -0400

Good morning! May you look for reasons for to be grateful today. #MorningMug

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:53:10 -0400

Good lift. Whew… #Discipline2025

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:31:25 -0400

Good morning! May you be present to those around you today. #MorningMug

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:33:32 -0400

Good morning! May you persist today. #MorningMug

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:31:17 -0400

Monday lift ✅

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 07:06:11 -0400

Good morning! May you begin your week with a sense of hope. #MorningMug

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 06:33:27 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to enter deeply into community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 12:21:02 -0400

Today’s workout was a 5k walk with Libby! The streak extends to 11 weeks of 5 intentional workouts per week. #Discipline2025

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 08:55:58 -0400

Good morning! May your Saturday be one filled with joy. #MorningMug

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 16:06:51 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge:

Day 6 📸: Contrast

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:23:02 -0400

One more workout to go to keep the streak alive. Today was hard. #Discipline2025

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:13:38 -0400

Good morning! It’s FriYay! #MorningMug

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:38:18 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge

Day 5 📸: reflection

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:40:53 -0400

Thursday lift ✅ #Discipline2025

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:27:07 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that refreshes your soul. #MorningMug

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:06:14 -0400

Second lift of the week done. #Discipline2025

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:35:28 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge

Day 4 📸: Nostalgia

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:46:04 -0400

Good morning! What are you grateful for today? I’m grateful for a community of friends who care deeply for me. #MorningMug

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:38:41 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge

Day 3 📷: Shadow

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:06:19 -0400

Good morning! I hope that you find a reason to simply smile today. #MorningMug

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:52:43 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge

Day 2 📸: Curve

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:44:26 -0400

Can’t have lift 2 for the week without lift 1. #Discipline2025

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:01:40 -0400

Micro Blog Photo Challenge

Day One 📸: Tree

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:34:32 -0400

Another gorgeous sunrise! I pray that you hold your love in jars of clay today… #MorningMug

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 06:45:43 -0400

These sunrises always get me in the summer! Good morning! May you choose to connect with community and relationships today. #MorningMug

Sat, 31 May 2025 09:23:01 -0400

Ten week streak of a minimum of five intentional workouts. #Discipline2025

Sat, 31 May 2025 06:58:55 -0400

Good morning! I hope you have fun today. Just go out and do something that brings you joy! Today, I get to hang out with my guy, Andy doing a binge of Kenobi. #MorningMug

Fri, 30 May 2025 18:53:09 -0400

Celebrating 12 years in Ypsi by bringing Amy to the Wurst Bar for the first time.

(Sadly, they don’t have the marshmallow dip for the sweet potato tots anymore 😞)

Fri, 30 May 2025 12:27:08 -0400

Today’s lift is done! It was tough. But it is done! #Discipline2025

Fri, 30 May 2025 06:51:04 -0400

Good morning! Clear that to-do off your list that is causing you stress so you can enjoy the weekend. #MorningMug

Thu, 29 May 2025 10:58:45 -0400

Leg day, worst day. #Discipline2025

Thu, 29 May 2025 06:40:39 -0400

Good morning! May you persist today. #MorningMug

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:44:54 -0400

As I sit and ponder “The Cross” today in preparation for my message on Sunday, I was reminded again that 1 Corinthians 13 needs to be a grounding text for Christians. It is the practical outworking of what it means to live a “cruciform” life.

Wed, 28 May 2025 12:18:47 -0400

Workout done. #Discipline2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 06:41:52 -0400

Good morning! May grace and mercy be yours today. #MorningMug

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:47:55 -0400

Amy and I sure had a great time yesterday afternoon with these amazing friends!

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:38:30 -0400

Good morning! May you experience relationship that matters today. #MorningMug

Mon, 26 May 2025 11:03:37 -0400

Monday lift done! #Discipline2025

Mon, 26 May 2025 07:50:07 -0400

Good morning! May we experience deep gratitude today. #MorningMug

Sun, 25 May 2025 07:20:36 -0400

Good morning! May you notice the kind influence of others in your life today. #MorningMug

Sat, 24 May 2025 08:57:21 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one of meaningful conversations. #MorningMug

Fri, 23 May 2025 09:11:38 -0400

Another day, another lift. #Discipline2025

Fri, 23 May 2025 06:59:54 -0400

I’m always grateful when I get to spend time with this man. Friendships like this are forged in the sorrows of life.

Fri, 23 May 2025 06:58:46 -0400

Good morning! May you have a sense of purpose today. #MorningMug

Thu, 22 May 2025 08:52:15 -0400

Lift done! #Discipline2025

Thu, 22 May 2025 06:21:50 -0400

Good morning! Love well today fam… #MorningMug

Wed, 21 May 2025 09:04:27 -0400

Another workout done! #Discipline2025

Wed, 21 May 2025 06:32:19 -0400

Good morning! Yes, it’s May 21. Yes, we have the fire on. Anyway, may you accomplish a taking your to do list today that is causing you stress. #MorningMug

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:28:44 -0400

Good morning! May we be thoughtful and kind today. #MorningMug

Mon, 19 May 2025 14:54:31 -0400

The Monday lift is in the books. It was a different type of workout with lots of band work. But it was fun nonetheless. #Discipline2025

Mon, 19 May 2025 06:57:05 -0400

Good morning! May your week be one of discovering the joy in the struggle. #MorningMug

Sun, 18 May 2025 06:26:46 -0400

Good morning! May your day be filled with laughter and joy. #MorningMug

Sat, 17 May 2025 10:01:30 -0400

Saturday lift, done.

Five workouts per week streak extended. #Discipline2025

Sat, 17 May 2025 07:01:51 -0400

Good morning! May your day be filled with joy. #MorningMug

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:36:20 -0400

Good morning! May your Friday be one of joy. #MorningMug

Thu, 15 May 2025 06:27:42 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one full of laughter and joy. #MorningMug

Wed, 14 May 2025 12:34:45 -0400

Wednesday lift ✅

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:33:52 -0400

Good morning! Today is the first time since January that we have both kids at home. May you feel that same kind of peace today! #MorningMug

Tue, 13 May 2025 10:54:03 -0400

Good morning! May you have a friend like the Todd. One with whom you know will always be there when you need and hooks you up with free pastries! #MorningMug

Mon, 12 May 2025 06:47:48 -0400

Good morning! May your week be one rooted joy. #MorningMug

Sun, 11 May 2025 07:53:42 -0400

One of the greatest joys of my life has been watching my favorite baseball player chase his dream.

He took off his cleats for the last time yesterday.

Sun, 11 May 2025 07:09:16 -0400

Good morning! May your adventure today include some loving community! #MorningMug

Sat, 10 May 2025 07:19:59 -0400

Good morning! May you experience rest today. #MorningMug

Fri, 09 May 2025 06:59:22 -0400

Good morning! My hope for you today is that you will persevere through whatever circumstance you find yourself in. #MorningMug

Thu, 08 May 2025 18:33:16 -0400

We spent the afternoon watching some SVSU tournament baseball. The game didn’t go as planned. But hanging out with the Michigan Capitol building in the background is pretty fun.

Thu, 08 May 2025 06:37:01 -0400

Good morning! May you notice something that is good in this world and share it. #MorningMug

Wed, 07 May 2025 15:12:18 -0400

Patio season is here in Michigan!

Wed, 07 May 2025 13:29:24 -0400

Lunch lift done. #Discipline2025

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:39:31 -0400

Good morning! Choose joy today. #MorningMug

Tue, 06 May 2025 16:37:51 -0400

Abbreviated workout today, but it’s better than nothing. #Discipline2025

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:43:40 -0400

Good morning! May we offer empathy, compassion, and kindness today. #MorningMug

Mon, 05 May 2025 07:23:46 -0400

Good morning! May you have no regrets today. #MorningMug

Sun, 04 May 2025 07:53:35 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to be in community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 03 May 2025 21:23:25 -0400

A bittersweet day today at Saginaw Valley State.

Sat, 03 May 2025 07:49:01 -0400

Good morning! May you simply be present to the moment today. #MorningMug

Fri, 02 May 2025 16:07:43 -0400

This cracked me up!

Fri, 02 May 2025 09:28:05 -0400

The workouts you don’t want to do are the most important ones. I didn’t want to go to the gym today. I did anyway.

Today, I did a movement that I didn’t think I could do. I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t show up.

Show up.

#Discipline2025

Fri, 02 May 2025 07:40:14 -0400

Good morning! Choose to be the person you want your “enemy” to be. #MorningMug

Thu, 01 May 2025 08:10:15 -0400

Good morning! As we begin a new month, I hope you will experience an abounding grace. #MorningMug

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:40:57 -0400

Good morning! May you pursue righteousness even when it comes at a cost. #MorningMug

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:46:02 -0400

This Sunday we will be beginning a new series of summer conversations called, “Whispers of Grace.” Each will be focused on a word from a different book of the New Testament. This week is, “righteousness” from Matthew.

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:18:25 -0400

Good morning! Do the hard thing today, it will be worth it. #MorningMug

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:03:44 -0400

Good morning! May you choose contentment today. #Discipline2025

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 09:44:21 -0400

Good morning! May you be fully present today wherever you find yourself. #MorningMug

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 14:02:00 -0400

Lake Michigan from the wrong side, still overwhelmingly beautiful.

Also? We may have been soaked at this point because someone wanted to try to walk to a lighthouse with the wind whipping 1 billion mph. 🤭

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:46:58 -0400

Fifth workout of the week complete. Five week streak of five workouts per week. Ten week streak of at least three workouts per week. #Discipline2025

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 08:15:23 -0400

Good morning! Don’t miss the small joys today. #MorningMug

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:32:13 -0400

Final baseball road trip to Simmons Field in Kenosha, WI.

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:53:52 -0400

Good morning! May each of us cultivate relationships with those around us in love and compassion. #MorningMug

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:55:13 -0400

Workout 4 for the week. #Discipline2025

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:04:03 -0400

Good morning! May we realize that our words have power and may we use them to offer life to those around us. #MorningMug

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:09:24 -0400

Workout number three in the books. #Discipline2025

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:51:29 -0400

Good morning! In that moment today when you have that little catch in your chest and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed may you stop, take a breath, and reset. #MorningMug

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:53:30 -0400

Good morning! May you know the joy of someone meeting you right where you are with empathy and grace. #MorningMug

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:03:26 -0400

Monday workout in the books. I really hate these body weight routines. But I suppose they are good for me. #Discipline2025

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 06:32:27 -0400

Christ is risen! So shall we be! #MorningMug

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 07:03:49 -0400

Good morning! May we remember today that no matter how dark the day becomes the light has already won. #MorningMug

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:52:16 -0400

Good morning! Even in the midst of difficult times, may we choose to serve one another. #MorningMug

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:12:03 -0400

Good morning! I pray that you see the good in the midst of any difficulty you encounter today. #MorningMug

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:34:43 -0400

Tuesday lift in the books. #Discipline2025

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:57:36 -0400

Good morning! I pray you will find an opportunity for some silence and solitude today. #MorningMug

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:35:08 -0400

Monday workout. Body weight 😒 #Discipline2025

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:29:11 -0400

Good morning! I pray that each of you would experience a grand sense of curiosity today. #MorningMug

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 07:46:25 -0400

Good morning! I hope you find rest today. #MorningMug

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 16:02:35 -0400

A beautiful day to watch Ethan play some ball. We finally have baseball weather! #FinalSzn

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 07:36:34 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today. #MorningMug

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:56:21 -0400

Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, watching E Rose play a little ball. #FinalSzn

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:19:25 -0400

Lift number 5 in the books! Three week streak of five lifts/week. #Discipline2025

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:39:24 -0400

Good morning! May you endure. #MorningMug

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:45:01 -0400

League night with the fellas!

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:42:42 -0400

Good morning! May you be fully present to those in your life today. #MorningMug

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:07:43 -0400

Good morning! May you notice the good all around you. #MorningMug

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:27:57 -0400

Monday lift done! Another week’s streak has begun. #Discipline2025

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:31:27 -0400

Good morning! May you seek unity rooted in love today. #MorningMug

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 22:59:48 -0400

Tuesday nights I host an open conversation at the historic Tap Room in downtown Ypsilanti, MI. We would love for you to join us!

Do you think that there is an immigration crisis? In your opinion should the US receive refugees? Do you think that undocumented people have due process rights?
This and more Tuesday at 8 pm.

Moderator: Dan

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 20:47:07 -0400

If you’re into sermons, here is my latest on John 17:20-26 talking about unity rooted in love…

open.spotify.com/episode/5…

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 06:54:53 -0400

Good morning! May you choose connection and community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 07:53:42 -0400

Good morning! I hope you’re able to catch your breath and reset today. #MorningMug

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:48:29 -0400

Workout number five. Two week streak! #Discipline2025

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:56:54 -0400

Good morning! May you find a reason to laugh today. #MorningMug

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:08:40 -0400

Good morning! May you not despise a day of small things. #MorningMug

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:47:06 -0400

Good morning! May you truly see a person who needs you today. #MorningMug

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:51:42 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to hear the other today. #MorningMug

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:49:10 -0400

Monday workouts are the most important for me.

Just had a good workout with @fitbodapp. Here’s an extended guest pass to try Fitbod, free for 14 days: go.fitbod.link/XprO/jzmn…

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:49:26 -0400

Good morning! May you see the world through love not fear today. #MorningMug

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 06:25:25 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to be in community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 09:30:47 -0400

Good morning! I am unsure of what the glowing orb in the sky is… Have a great Saturday! #MorningMug

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:24:12 -0400

Good morning! May you endure through whatever circumstance you find yourself in today. #MorningMug

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 22:48:10 -0400

An epic night seeing one of the movies that shaped my childhood. It was so fun being 10 years old again. Grateful to see it with two good friends too.

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:59:38 -0400

I got to play six holes on our little par three course today. The weather is perfect and it felt good to be back in my happy place.

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 06:47:22 -0400

Good morning! May you experience the audacity of grace today. #MorningMug

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 21:51:24 -0400

Yes, we are watching baseball. No, we are not watching hockey outdoors.

#FinalSzn

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:23:59 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to respond with loving kindness to the circumstances you find yourself in today. #MorningMug

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:13:31 -0400

Good morning! The picture doesn’t do the sky justice this morning. It is overwhelmingly beautiful. May you glimpse the beauty around you today. #MorningMug

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 08:07:46 -0400

Good morning! May you seek to be the good in someone’s day. #MorningMug

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 09:30:07 -0400

If you think George Orwell had something right in his book 1984, wait until you read Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World.

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 09:02:34 -0400

The question I have been wrestling with is, “How do I love as reflected by how I live?”

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 07:35:02 -0400

Good morning! May you enter into community today knowing you’re loved and cared for. #MorningMug

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 07:14:54 -0400

Good morning! May we care for one another today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:29:37 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to be gracious to “those people.” #MorningMug #discipline2025

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:04:26 -0400

Good morning! May you experience the joy of extending grace to another. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:44:13 -0400

Good morning! The sun shines as a reminder that there is hope. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 07:35:31 -0400

Good morning! May you know that mercy is made new every day. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:00:24 -0400

This Sunday at Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint at 10:45 am and at The Acts 13 Network in Ypsilanti at 530 pm we will begin a three week exploration of the prophet, Micah. His message of doom and hope is timely for us today.

If you’ve been looking for a faith community in Ypsilanti or Flint, I hope you will join us.

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:57:39 -0400

Good morning! May your to-do list shrink today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:55:25 -0400

Good morning! May you press into that difficult thing you have been avoiding. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:46:36 -0400

#Wordle 1,333 X/6*

🟨⬛⬛🟨🟩 🟩⬛🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬛🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬛🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬛🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬛🟩🟩🟩

The #OldGal scored a 3. My streak broke at 528.

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:18:37 -0400

I am resonating deeply with Bonhoeffer these days. Here is another of his theses against the “Aryan Paragraph” from 1933.

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:36:05 -0400

Good morning! May you know people care about you today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 07:11:37 -0400

Good morning! May you enjoy time in community today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:25:51 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that makes you smile. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:09:30 -0400

During the 1933 Prussian Synod Dietrich Bonhoeffer offered multiple theses to challenge the “Aryan Paragraph.” The “German Christians” were those aligning with the Nazi party, “We,” was the nascent Confessing Church.

Currently reading: The Bonhoeffer Reader by Michael P. DeJonge 📚

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 08:30:22 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to respond with joy on whatever circumstance you find yourself in today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:48:33 -0400

Another timely thought from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in response to the 1933 “Aryan Paragraph.”

Currently reading: The Bonhoeffer Reader by Michael P. DeJonge 📚

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:04:50 -0400

Good morning! May you notice the small joys all around you today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:16:59 -0400

Here’s the second of the theses that Bonhoeffer penned to challenge the Aryan Paragraph in 1933. Again, it reads as very timely for our moment in history.

Currently reading: The Bonhoeffer Reader by Michael P. DeJonge 📚

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:28:19 -0400

Good morning! May you notice the mercy that is new every morning. #Discipline2025 #MorningMug

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:59:40 -0400

Dietrich Bonhoeffer composed a number of talking points to refute what was known as the “Aryan Paragraph” in September of 1933. The paragraph excluded non-Aryans from civil service which was beginning to be adopted by German churches.

Currently reading: The Bonhoeffer Reader by Michael P. DeJonge 📚

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:32:05 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today. #Discipline2025 #MorningMug

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:01:47 -0400

Good morning! May you embrace whatever twist comes at you today. #Discipline2025 #MorningMug

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 08:54:14 -0400

Good morning! May you find gratitude in the midst of community today. #Discipline2025

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 09:42:46 -0400

Good morning! May you find your chill today. #Discipline2025

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 07:11:24 -0400

Good morning. Remember, it’s ok to be quiet. #Discipline2025

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:00:43 -0400

Good morning! May you remember that you get to choose your hard today. #Discipline2025

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:37:35 -0400

Good morning! May you not despise the day of small things. #Discipline2025

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:37:52 -0400

I love this little coffee shop in Flushing, MI. It’s called The Station. It is in a renovated service station. The coffee is good, the people are fantastic, and the playlist is always on point.

Jesus in Conversation: A Preface

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:10:57 -0400

For a while I have been wrestling with what to write about. I have been wondering if I should just focus on keeping up with the brief daily devotionals or perhaps offering commentary on the news of the day from a pastor’s perspective. As I wandered around the internet, there’s a lot of that going on already. Sure, my “unique” voice would be different, but in so many ways, it feels like I would just be adding to the noise.

To be clear, I have loads of thoughts and opinions obout all the things that are happening in the world today. Whether it’s religion, politics, sports, or pop culture. I have ALL the opinions. If you would like those, then I’d be happy to get a cup of coffee and talk about any and all the things that are on your mind and that you would like my thoughts on.

The idea of adding more noise to the signal was unappealing. There are also people who are so much smarter and so much more interesting than me doing most of that already.

What can I write about that interests me?  Last year I realized that my “why”, the core of what I wanted to be about was, “To be a person faithfully present.”

I think this is the thing that has intrigued me about Jesus. There’s so much that can be said about him on so many levels, but the thing that stands out to me is his faithful presence. In the Gospels we see him interact with all kinds of people from the lowly to the rich and powerful and everyone in between. Jesus engages with his disciples and with those who oppose him.

In every engagement he is fully and faithfully present to the person and people with whom he is talking with.

In this cultural moment when there are many people who are claiming to speak for Jesus I thought it might be helpful to work through his myriad of conversations and see what we might learn from him. How does Jesus deal with those with whom he disagrees? How does he respond to those who are on the fringes of society? Does he practice mercy? Does engage in judgment? Does Jesus extend grace or truth or both? There are so many more questions that we can explore.

I invite you to hang out with me in the Gospels for a while and explore the conversations of Jesus. I will begin in the Gospel of John. This is because the John’s Gospel really focuses on people and conversations. We get some of the longer recorded conversations of Jesus in this Gospel. I will be going slow. There may be multiple posts on one conversation. There might be only one.

I hope that you will comment and respond and offer your questions and insights. This will be so much more fun if you do.

My hope is to publish at least twice per week. It might be more (if I’m feeling inspired). But, the discipline that I am going to commit to is twice per week. I am going to shoot for publishing every Tuesday and Thursday. This should provide me time to practice a bit of lectio diving over each passage and also study and research some too.

Thanks for bearing with me on this little preface.

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:24:54 -0400

Good morning! May you find joy in the small things today. #Discipline2025

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 21:03:32 -0400

Not much better than a game at Crisler Arena with good friends!

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 08:48:59 -0400

Good morning! May you find freedom in self-discipline today. #Discipline2025

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 07:49:15 -0400

Good morning! May you connect in community today. #Discipline2024

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 09:10:45 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to do something that brings your mind, body, or soul rest today. #Doscipline2025

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:06:52 -0400

Good morning! May you remember that there is good happening all around you if you choose to look for it. #Discipline2025

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:19:07 -0400

Good morning! May you check something off your to-do list that will help you relax as you head into the weekend. #Discipline2025

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:56:52 -0400

Even on vacation, the lift happens. #Discipline2025

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:53:39 -0400

Good morning! May you find joy in your day today. #discipline2025

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:27:44 -0400

Good morning! May you extend loving kindness in a world where that’s starving for it. #discipline2025

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:14:27 -0400

Good morning! May you extend kindness today. #Discipline2025

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 07:48:39 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to be kind to yourself today. #Discipline2025

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 08:57:51 -0400

Saturday is for coffee by the fire. May you find some rest today. #Discipline2025

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 07:38:52 -0400

Good morning! May you find mercy when you need it today. #Discipline2025

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:30:53 -0400

Good morning!

Gym ✅

May you be overwhelmed by grace today.

#Doscipline2025

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:45:43 -0400

Good morning! Do something hard today. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:10:46 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that brings you joy. #MorningMug #Discipline2025

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:21:23 -0400

Good morning! May you receive grace and mercy today. #MorningMug

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 07:51:52 -0400

A weird week of #Keyword.

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 07:33:23 -0400

Good morning! May you embrace community and connection today. #MorningMug

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 09:47:23 -0400

Good morning! Love well today! #MorningMug

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 22:30:23 -0400

I worked hard in 2024. I am excited to eclipse these numbers in 2025. #Discipline2025 a

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 07:39:04 -0400

Good morning! May you smile today. #MorningMug

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 08:39:06 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one that brings you a little joy today. #MorningMug

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:19:10 -0400

Good morning! May you pursue what brings you joy today. #MorningMug

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:38:32 -0400

Good morning! I hope that today you can see something good and beautiful in the world. #MorningMug

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 07:01:29 -0400

Good morning! May you take a tangible step toward becoming the person you know yourself to be today. #MorningMug

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 07:22:15 -0400

Good morning! May you connect in community today. Oh, Go Lions! #MorningMug

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 09:32:03 -0400

Good morning! May you have clarity of purpose today. #MorningMug

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:05:32 -0400

Good morning! May you have a sense of expectancy today. #MorningMug

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:31:37 -0400

Good morning! May you start today. Whatever it is, just start. #MorningMug

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 10:06:36 -0400

Good morning! May your new year be filled with joy and grace and an awareness of daily small mercies. #MorningMug

2025: Discipline

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 11:09:52 -0400

Every year we choose a, “word of the year,” in my home. Amy started this a number of years ago. We have embraced the practice. This year, I choose, “discipline.”

Over the last few years I have worked really hard to pursue fitness. I have sought to become spiritually, emotionally, and physically fit. I am grateful that this pursuit of fitness has paid off. I have never been this fit in my life.

This pursuit will never end.

I have developed many good habits. My systems have, for the most part, worked really well.

Over the last year I have been in a pattern of waiting. As I entered in 2024 I didn’t have any sense of what was next for my life.

I still don’t.

As I have been reflecting on this I realized that I don’t need a “next.” I have today and that is enough. This means that each day I can rise from my bed and determine what I will do today and at the end of the day I can reflect on whether or not I was true to my choice of what to do.

To continue my pursuit of fitness I need to remain faithful to the systems that I have developed over the last few years. When they were new, it was easy to embrace them because it was invigorating to enter into these new systems. Now that they are habitual systems it is easy to ignore them.

So, what needs to change?

The next stage of development for me is to embrace the practice of discipline. This is a form of practice that has long eluded me. I can be doggedly determined and I can persevere. But these are not discipline.

At the root of the word discipline is the word, disciple. This means, one who learns.

The practice of discipline is not a practice of negative self-talk or chastisement. It is the ongoing process of learning to be faithful to the kind of person that I am.

Who am I?

I am someone who is fully present spiritually, physically, relationally, and emotionally.

Discipline is the continued and ongoing learning of being that person.

As I reflect on the year that has passed, I think that I have become prideful in the sense that perhaps there was a sense of “I have arrived.” I stopped being disciplined. That is to say, I stopped learning to be who I am. This resulted in stagnation. Stagnation lead to some regression in a variety of areas. This became evident in how I responded recently to a particularly self-created stress situation. The cracks created by my pride broke open and the regression became clear.

In 2025, I am endeavoring to learn again and again and again who I am. I desire to embrace discipline fervently and humbly. I would appreciate your prayer, good thoughts, and good vibes (whatever your preferred nomenclature) as I step enter into a season of discipline.

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 08:48:41 -0400

Good morning! May your year end with a sense of satisfaction and joy. #MorningMug

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:19:40 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today.

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 10:50:15 -0400

Good morning! May you connect in community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 10:57:31 -0400

Good morning! May mercy be ever present for you today. #MorningMug

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:02:27 -0400

Good morning! May you begin to identify the things that really matter. #MorningMug

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:19:55 -0400

Good morning! Grace and peace to you. #MorningMug

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 09:02:09 -0400

Good morning! May you know the unconditional love of Christ today. #MorningMug

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:13:39 -0400

Good morning! May you see the in-breaking of the kingdom of grace through the lens of love today. #MorningMug

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:19:09 -0400

Good morning! May love be your primary principle today. #MorningMug

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 08:07:33 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today. #MorningMug

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:17:33 -0400

Good morning! May joy be ever present today. #MorningMug

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 07:49:16 -0400

Good morning! May joy be your companion today. #MorningMug

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:03:30 -0400

Good morning! May joy be the light by which you see the world today. #MorningMug

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:25:43 -0400

Good morning! May you find joy in the small things today. #MorningMug

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:07:39 -0400

Good morning! May your souls be joyful as you recognize that light is breaking through the darkness. #MorningMug

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 08:09:05 -0400

Good morning! May you experience joy today. #MorningMug

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 09:51:18 -0400

Good morning! May peace lead you to joy today. #MorningMug

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:00:24 -0400

Good morning! May your soul be at peace and rest today. #MorningMug

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 08:27:34 -0400

Good morning! May you choose peace over chaos today. #MorningMug

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:48:29 -0400

Good morning! May you experience peace that transcends understanding today. #MorningMug

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 07:07:54 -0400

Good morning! May you seek to make peace today. #MorningMug

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:18:35 -0400

Good morning! May peace be with you today. #MorningMug

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 08:25:31 -0400

Good morning! May peace mark your path today. #MorningMug

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 09:23:01 -0400

Good morning! May hope not disappoint you today. #MorningMug

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:09:20 -0400

Good morning! May hope fuel your perseverance. #MorningMug

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 22:56:17 -0400

Lions fans in Wisconsin. It’s pretty fun watching a game in the other team’s neighborhood. #OnePride

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 07:48:30 -0400

Good morning! May Hope give you strength today. #MorningMug

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:37:24 -0400

This is an excellent reminder on so many levels from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 07:25:32 -0400

Good morning! May you fight for hope today. #MorningMug

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:18:53 -0400

Good morning. May your hope not fade today. #MorningMug

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:49:27 -0400

During the fight at the fifty yard line there was something else happening. Three young men, Donovan Edwards (Michigan), Gee Scott (Ohio State), and an unnamed Ohio State player knelt in prayer.

As another said succinctly and well, “There is another way.”

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:28:14 -0400

Mondays are for the gym.

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 08:46:15 -0400

Good morning! May you hold on to hope this week. #MorningMug

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 07:17:52 -0400

Good morning! May you connect with a community that cares about you today. #MorningMug

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 09:01:33 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one where you choose presence. #MorningMug

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 08:55:51 -0400

Good morning! May you remember you probably don’t “need” that thing today. #MorningMug

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:19:47 -0400

Good morning! May you count your joys and embrace gratitude today. #MorningMug

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 07:30:26 -0400

Good morning! May experience new joy today. #MorningMug

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:12:45 -0400

Good morning! May you receive compassion and offer compassion today. #MorningMug

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:28:20 -0400

Good morning! As a new week begins endeavor to get it right as opposed to being right. #MorningMug

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 07:16:58 -0400

Good morning! May you experience loving community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:46:24 -0400

Good morning! May you know that people deeply care for you today. #MorningMug

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:11:52 -0400

Too funny not to share!

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 11:44:18 -0400

Exercise is good for my mind, body, and soul.

Right?!

Right?

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:46:02 -0400

Good morning! May you encourage another today. #MorningMug

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:04:03 -0400

Good morning! May you extend mercy today. #MorningMug

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:13:05 -0400

Good morning! May you extend grace today. #MorningMug

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 07:09:57 -0400

Good morning! May you be kind today. #MorningMug

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:38:44 -0400

Good morning! May you love well this week. #MorningMug

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 15:32:49 -0400

Some weekends are special. This weekend I got to spend with, Vince at Notre Dame. We have been friends since the 1900s. This is the first road trip together we have been on since college. Thanks Carman and Amy for encouraging us to get away and have this experience.

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 08:53:32 -0400

Good morning! May your day be filled with laughter and fun. #MorningMug

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:20:10 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one marked by joy. #MormingMug

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 07:53:22 -0400

Good morning! The rain outside is a reminder of grace. #MorningMug

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:51:19 -0400

Good morning! The picture doesn’t do it justice, but the sunrise is beautiful this morning. May we remember that beauty being declared in the heavens today. #MorningMug

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:57:50 -0400

Tap Room Tuesday time!

We are discussing morals and ethics and I’m sipping on a Bell’s Best Brown. #conversation

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:46:28 -0400

Good morning! May you be fully present with those in your life today. #MorningMug

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 07:48:09 -0400

Good morning! May your week be marked by caring for people. #MorningMug

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 07:05:59 -0400

Good morning! May you connect with people who love you today. #MorningMug

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 23:23:51 -0400

So grateful to celebrate my Dad’s 75th today with all my siblings.

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:39:01 -0400

From Bonhoeffer on the command to love our neighbor and enemy. This was from a talk he gave to a student organization at the end of 1932.

I am really bad at this. I need to grow.

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 08:33:15 -0400

Good morning! May you breathe today. #MorningMug

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:42:50 -0400

I am still processing this quote from my reading last night. This is part of Bonhoeffer’s conclusion on a talk on the prayer, “Thy kingdom come.”

Too often the American Church has derided struggle as a sign of not keeping “in step with the Spirit.”

Yet, as we read the Scripture we see over and over again that struggle is central to inbreaking of the kingdom of God.

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:11:24 -0400

Good morning! May you set your mind on the good and beautiful today. #MorningMug

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:20:58 -0400

This is a quotation from Bonhoeffer’s catechism. It strikes me as very timely.

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:15:14 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today. #MorningMug

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 15:35:42 -0400

Sometimes a cold beer and a quiet pub are what one needs to get necessary work accomplished.

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:26:42 -0400

Good morning. May you be gracious to yourself and others today. #MorningMug

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:11:44 -0400

Good morning! May your conscience be clear and may you love well today. #MorningMug

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:10:28 -0400

Good morning! May your Monday be one marked by grace. #MorningMug

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 07:33:10 -0400

Good morning! May you experience peace today. #MorningMug

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 07:28:37 -0400

Good morning! May your joy be renewed today. #MorningMug

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:03:38 -0400

Friday lift. #Grit 💪

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 06:36:45 -0400

Good morning! May you remember those who have helped you become the person you are today on this All Saints Day. #MorningMug

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:14:16 -0400

Good morning! May you only receive treats today. #MorningMug

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:07:52 -0400

Good morning! May you set your mind on whatever is noble today. #MorningMug

Pastoral Thoughts on Election 2024

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:02:03 -0400

We are one week away from an election in the United States. It’s an election that has once again proved to be quite contentious. People are walking away from friends and family who are voting differently from them. I am watching churches devour themselves over politics. There are factions and dissensions that are rising in every corner of our society. In so many ways we continue to walk away from the way of love.

As a pastor there is a constant pressure to support this candidate or that candidate. I have been private messaged more times than I can to admit about why I do not talk about politics from the pulpit or on my social media.

Here’s the thing, everything I preach is politics. Anytime I write about faith or the way of Jesus, it is politics.

How can I say that? Simply, politics has to do with the affairs of the “city” or the governance of the people. The way of Jesus informs us as to how we are to engage with the affairs of all of life.

I have been thinking about a song written by Derek Webb a number of years ago, A New Law.

“don’t teach me about politics and government just tell me who to vote for

don’t teach me about truth and beauty just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy so just bring it down from the mountain to me

i want a new law i want a new law gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty i prefer a shot of grape juice

don’t teach me about loving my enemies

don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit

just give me a new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep for one you can that cannot get you anything do not be afraid do not be afraid do not be afraid”

This is the way that so many of us want things to work. What we want is to bounce from one law to another. Learning how to think and wrestle with the nuance of politics and culture is really difficult.

This last week I spent all week in Philippians preparing for worship in Flint and Ypsilanti. The passage that I taught on was Philippians 4:4-9,

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I dig this passage so much for so many reasons.

In particular as I consider the ramifications for this election, I would like to encourage you to dwell on verse eight, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

If followers of the Jesus Way would use this verse as a lens by which to consider our politics and our voting it would go a long way towards to healing much of what divides us.

Consider these as principles to understand our politics: Is this true? Is this noble? Is this right? Is this pure? Is this lovely? Is this admirable? Is this excellent? Is this praiseworthy? When considering a particular candidate you can change the principle question to, “Does this person promote what is…” and then insert the principle.

As you consider who and what to vote for I challenge you to work your decisions through this framework. Frameworks rooted in these principles will more often than not lead us in the way of love. Do not become beholden to a “new law.” Do not trade one set of unquestioned absolutes for another. Fundamentalism of any stripe leads towards broken relationships.

So, no, I won’t tell you who to vote for. If you are a follower of the Jesus Way, I would encourage you to set your mind on these principles from Philippians 4:8 and allow them to guide you. I am praying that each of you have wisdom, discernment, and follow the way of love.

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 06:13:57 -0400

Good morning! May you set your mind on what is true today. #MorningMug

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:48:42 -0400

Monday lift. Starting the week strong. 💪

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 06:21:37 -0400

Good morning! May your week begin by choosing joy. #MorningMug

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 07:32:06 -0400

Good morning! May you solve your word puzzles in one today. #MorningMug

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 08:00:36 -0400

Good morning! May you rest today. #MorningMug

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:19:48 -0400

Good morning! May you learn something new that inspires you today. #morningmug

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 06:34:18 -0400

Good morning! May you be OK with not knowing everything today. #MorningMug

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:30:03 -0400

Good morning! May you persevere today. #MorningMug

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:08:22 -0400

Perfect day for some college ball!

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:04:31 -0400

Good morning! May you embrace your “why” today. #MorningMug

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 07:15:01 -0400

Good morning! May you love well this week.

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 10:39:41 -0400

Grateful to serve these people in Flint, MI.

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 06:36:18 -0400

Good morning! May your soul be refreshed today. #MorningMug

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:29:42 -0400

Amy’s perfect fall day:

Hiking at Maybury State Park
Parmenter’s Cider Mill for cider and donuts
12 hours of college football beginning with her beloved Indiana Hoosiers

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 06:55:07 -0400

Good morning! May you have fun today. #MorningMug

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:45:45 -0400

Watching our favorite ballplayer at SVSU for some fall ball.

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:30:30 -0400

Good morning! May your compassion for the “other” grow today. #MorningMug

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:19:31 -0400

Good morning! May you grow in wisdom today. #MorningMug

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 06:50:48 -0400

Good morning! May you be kind today. #MorningMug

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 07:34:37 -0400

Good morning! May your week be one marked by joy. #MorningMug

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 06:52:33 -0400

Good morning! May your day be one of rest. #MorningMug

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 07:59:01 -0400

Good morning! May you find joy in the small things today.

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:58:37 -0400

Voting from the comfort of my own home is a wonderful thing. I’m grateful for the accessibility to vote in our country.

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:37:38 -0400

Good morning! Choose gratitude today. It’s not easy when things are hard.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:52:35 -0400

Not ideal. But Saturday we have Skubal on the bump and another Wings game.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:04:59 -0400

Overwhelmingly beautiful.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:52:13 -0400

What a day for Detroit!

#RepDetroit #LGRW

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 12:41:20 -0400

I really like this cartoon by Mike Lukovich from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 07:15:59 -0400

Good morning! Grace and peace to you today. #MorningMug

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:14:52 -0400

Playoff lift! #RepDetroit

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:20:36 -0400

Good morning! May you have a great day! #MorningMug

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 22:42:02 -0400

The girl cousins…

They sure have grown up!

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 20:19:25 -0400

A little rehearsal fun before the big day tomorrow…

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:25:13 -0400

Good morning! May you give yourself grace today, life is hard.

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 06:30:40 -0400

Good morning! May you discover a practice today that helps you rest.

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 09:06:10 -0400

The more I reflect on the whole National Daughter and Son day thing, the more gratitude wells up in me.

Amy and I set out to raise two quality adults.

I think we accomplished that mission.

But along the way, we have also realized they have become our best friends too. When the four of us are together it’s the absolute best of times. The laughter and conversations are second to none.

I am so grateful for all that God has done through this wild adventure of parenting these amazing people.

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 06:14:48 -0400

Good morning! May you know grace and peace today.

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:25:41 -0400

We had the absolute best day in #Detroit! I’m grateful to be able to do life with Amy. The Tigers winning was the cherry on top. Dime Store for breakfast, Tigers game, and then Buddy’s Pizza for dinner.

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:00:16 -0400

Good morning! May you have fun today.

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:45 -0400

The morning moon was epic. 📸

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:23:34 -0400

Good morning! May you know the satisfaction of accomplishing something difficult today.

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 06:52:25 -0400

Good morning! May you see those on the fringes today.

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:19:42 -0400

This morning was stunning.

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 06:15:48 -0400

Good morning! May you know you are cared for today.

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:11:26 -0400

Good morning! May you listen today.

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:06:54 -0400

Good morning! Love well today.

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 06:43:05 -0400

Good morning! May you choose to be kind today.

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 17:32:20 -0400

It was a great day! The outcome of the game wasn’t what we wanted but the company and laughs and memories made were pretty special. Thanks to Todd Waller for making today happen. #grateful

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:12:57 -0400

I’m taking in and enjoying every last bit of these glorious mornings. Soon enough the cold winds will blow and the snow will fall. Until then, the joy of the morning sun will be embraced!

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:17:36 -0400

Getting it in today. #fitness

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:41:13 -0400

We had so much fun celebrating Libby’s 21st in East Lansing today! #GoGreen!

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:28:12 -0400

We moved our daughter, Libby, in for her 3rd year at Michigan State yesterday. She’s on a new adventure this year, renting a house with four sorority sisters. Installing a ceiling fan, building a desk, and the liberal use of command strips turned her room into a space she’s really excited for!

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 21:28:54 -0400

I could not be more proud of these four young men. With men like this on the rise, the future is bright.

I am so grateful to be able to play a small part in their lives.

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 21:00:35 -0400

Hanging out a great, new to me, space Sam Hill in Ann Arbor tonight watching a good friend’s band. So much fun!

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 18:07:13 -0400

Had a blast today at Greenfield Village seeing the 1867 Baseball game. The home team, La Dee Da Baseball Club was originally established in Waterford, MI, my hometown.

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:00:21 -0400

I introduced my sweet wife, Amy, Frita Batidos in downtown Ann Arbor tonight. It’s a cute little Cuban street food restaurant. We got a chorizo Frita, a black bean Frita, the perfect snack, and a passion fruit Batido.

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:47:21 -0400

The narrow path is to hold onto conviction and extend overwhelming grace.

To withhold conviction or grace is the wide path, no, the wide ditches on either side of the narrow way.

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 07:13:23 -0400

There have been many folks who are quite upset about a particular moment in the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Initially, I admit, I was a bit taken back. However, as has become my recent practice on social media, I thought, “There is likely more to this story.”

It turns out, that there is a famous painting entitled, “The Feast of the Gods”, by Johann Rottenhammer and Jan Bruegel from around 1602. This painting hangs in the Louvre.

Also, as I have read more, the table imagery that we have become accustomed to seeing in DaVinci’s “The Last Supper,” was a quite common setting for Renaissance painters.

I definitely do not like it when my faith is mocked. Too often, recently, many of us are taking offense at things that are not about our faith. It seems that we are holding on to some sort of edge that has us ready to pounce with rage and malice toward a perceived enemy. This sadly shows us something about ourselves. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. When people who claim to follow Christ are not exhibiting these qualities, then it demonstrates that we are not keeping in step with the Spirit.

In this day and age of immediate response and social megaphones, let us lean into self-control during “viral” moments. Let us remember well, Proverbs 17:28, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Perhaps in this particular moment it will be helpful to remember another Proverb, Proverb 18:2, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Really this one applies to much of our social media interactions!)

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:50:16 -0400

My happy place.

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:22:17 -0400

#Wordle 1,132 3/6*

⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛ 🟨🟩🟩⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

It’s going to be tough today! The #OldGal popped a 3 too. She is being powered by one of her grandsons…

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:15:05 -0400

Over the last few months, I’ve been a bit lax with eating. I needed a season of recovery after a 120lb weight cut. Today, I am starting a new season of weight cutting.

The goal is 25lbs.

I plan to see the 100s at the end of the cut.

This is this morning’s breakfast.

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 13:59:51 -0400

We had an amazing day on Friday up at Mackinac Island.

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 22:35:39 -0400

I got to play golf with my nephew, Kyle today. He’s become such a quality man. What a privilege that he wanted to hang out!

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 13:21:24 -0400

Super fun walk with my wife, Amy, today. We did 12 miles in just over three hours.

Mon, 27 May 2024 13:02:06 -0400

Tell me you live in Michigan without telling me you live in Michigan.

It’s Memorial Day and it’s cold and windy.

Last week it was all 80°+ all week!

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:24:27 -0400

Good morning! May you have a great day even if you spill the coffee.

Sun, 12 May 2024 07:17:58 -0400

Good morning! May you connect with an authentic community today.

Wed, 08 May 2024 06:08:18 -0400

Good morning! May you know the joy of good friends today.

Tue, 07 May 2024 06:43:23 -0400

Good morning! May you create opportunities for joy today.

Mon, 06 May 2024 07:00:06 -0400

Good morning! May you love well today.

Sun, 05 May 2024 06:59:23 -0400

Good morning! May you be present with those you love today.

Sat, 04 May 2024 07:21:27 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that brings you joy.

Fri, 03 May 2024 07:20:24 -0400

Good morning! May you be willing to zig when the world wants you to zag.

Thu, 02 May 2024 07:55:52 -0400

Good morning! May you embrace joy and gratitude today.

Wed, 01 May 2024 06:42:22 -0400

Good morning! May you recognize the small joys today. #MorningMug

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 07:15:50 -0400

Good morning! May you know the joy of a loving community today.

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 22:17:59 -0400

Saginaw Valley State University are the regular season baseball GLIAC Champs!

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:54:50 -0400

Good morning! May you do something that brings you joy today. #MorningMug

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:07:25 -0400

I got to play golf with a good friend today. Life is good!

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:37:16 -0400

Every morning when I make my coffee I see this little reminder. May you love well today. #MorningMug

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:22:43 -0400

Good morning! May you create some peace in your life today. #MorningMug

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 07:01:27 -0400

Good morning! May you find joy in on your work today and see it as a gift. #MorningMug

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:26:44 -0400

Good morning! May your week start well. #MorningMug

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 07:36:37 -0400

Good morning! May you choose community today. #MorningMug

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 11:23:38 -0400

Across from our hotel was a lovely park with a fun trail. Plus we got this view from the top of a rather large hill.

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 08:19:48 -0400

Good morning! May you take a moment to breathe today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:24:07 -0400

Good morning! May you accomplish what needs accomplished today so you can rest this weekend. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 08:04:50 -0400

Hillsdale College’s new baseball facility is absolutely stunning. The video board in right field is really cool. It was fun to see how they leveraged it to put their players personalities on display.

Also? SVSU wins the first night game ever played there 12-5!

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:22:58 -0400

Good morning! May you know the love that provides strength and endurance today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 13:24:01 -0400

There’s nothing quite like spending a day with your daughter. Her sorority put on a fantastic Dad/Daughter day!

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:17:21 -0400

It’s killing me to be in Michigan while he is in Arizona playing ball. But, there’s not much better than seeing your kid do what they love. ⚾️

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:16:08 -0400

Psalm 77; Job 4:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10

I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.

I’m not sure that there is a more comforting phrase for me in all the Scriptures than, “He listens.”

“He listens,” is a complete sentence.

It is remarkable to me that when I cry out to the Divine the Divine listens. I am constantly on a quest to understand what amazing grace means. As I sit here this morning with many things on my heart and my mind, I am struck by the reality that it is amazing grace that God listens.

Why would God listen to me? What is it about me that God would take any notice? Why would God care about what I have to say?

Because God loves me.

I love my children with all of who I am. When they talk, I listen. Even when they were small and couldn’t speak coherently I took great joy in listening to their rambling and mumbling. I don’t know anyone who ignores a baby that is talking to them, particularly when it’s your own child.

I imagine this must be what it’s like for God. This Creator God, the holy one, the sustainer of the universe, loves his creation without condition. This love, apparently, leads God to this place of intimacy where God listens.

This morning I’m pondering this question, “Do I really believe that God listens because he loves me?”

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:55:19 -0400

Good morning! May you start your week well knowing your identity is not tied to your accomplishments. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 07:27:08 -0400

Good morning! May you connect deeply with people who genuinely care about you today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Why Them?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 10:22:14 -0400

Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 32; Matthew 9:2-13

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and misfits?”

This story about what happened after the calling of Matthew resonates so deeply with me. I just love everything about it. First, the fact that Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to join him as a disciple makes me smile. Tax Collectors were (and are) some of the most despised people in Palestine. He was considered a traitor to his people. Matthew was probably skimming and probably taxing the people a bit more than he ought to line his own pockets. Matthew was not a guy that anyone in Jesus’ merry band would have chosen to associate with.

But, then it gets better.

Matthew throws Jesus a party and all kinds of disreputable characters show up. The Pharisees are nearly apoplectic.

Over the course of my years in ministry I have found myself associating less and less with church people. I find myself standing on the outside looking in at Christian subculture. My people are the ones at the pubs and cafes.

It’s pretty funny to receive the scorn of the modern day Pharisees.

I imagine Jesus just smirking and shaking his head as he responded to their critique, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

Too many of us are way too worried about being “above reproach” and not worried enough about loving well.

It’s just too easy to get focused on coddling insiders than it is to invite outsiders. For pastors, in particular, the insiders are our “customers.” We forget that our primary responsibility is not to the 99 but to the 1. What’s just as sad is that the 99 forget that they were at one time the 1.

This morning I’m pondering the reality that as a pastor I have this dual calling. The call to care for the insiders and those on the outside. How do I orient myself to this dual calling? How do I consistently hold a posture of loving well?

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:43:03 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that brings you joy. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 20:21:07 -0400

High school hoops! Go Splitters!

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:52:22 -0400

This majestic crane was just hanging out on the pier. The crane had no cares in the world. 📷

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:50:24 -0400

Good morning! May you know the joy that comes from a job well done today. #MorningBlessings #MorningMug

One Who Receives Grace

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:55:26 -0400

Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10

I love that passage from 1 John that almost feels contradictory.

On the one hand, if we claim to be in the light but still bounce around in darkness we are liars. One the other hand, if we claim to be without sin then we are also liars.

It almost seems hopeless, doesn't it?

How can someone be in the light and still be struggling with sin? Aren't we supposed to be perfect and holy? Aren't we supposed to be free from the darkness?

This to me is the beauty of the Way of Christ. There is a standard that we are called to, a standard of holiness in the light. Yet, there is a reality that we will not be perfect and we will struggle with things. The Way of Christ simply says, “Own it. Embrace the reality that you need grace, forgiveness, and mercy.”

To be in the light is not to be perfect. To be in the light is to be honest. To live with integrity. To be one who acknowledges one's own imperfection.

To be one who receives grace.

What an overwhelming thought! To be in the way of Christ is to be one who receives grace. To be in the way of Christ is not to be perfect, it is not to have it all together, it is recognize that I don't have it all together and nobody else does either.

So, grace abounds!

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Thu, 15 Feb 2024 10:34:40 -0400

One Who Receives Grace

Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10

This passage from 1 John almost feels contradictory.

On the one hand, if we claim to be in the light but still bounce around in darkness we are liars. One the other hand, if we claim to be without sin then we are also liars.

It almost seems hopeless, doesn’t it?

How can someone be in the light and still be struggling with sin? Aren’t we supposed to be perfect and holy? Aren’t we supposed to be free from the darkness?

To be in the light is not to be perfect. To be in the light is to be honest. To live with integrity. To be one who acknowledges one’s own imperfection.

To be one who receives grace.

What an overwhelming thought! To be in the way of Christ is to be one who receives grace. To be in the way of Christ is not to be perfect, it is not to have it all together, it is recognize that I don’t have it all together and nobody else does either.

So, grace abounds!

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:49:52 -0400

Good morning! May you extend kindness to someone whom you just don’t think deserves it today. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 20:55:36 -0400

I’m grateful she still likes me.

Push Comes to Shove

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:59:20 -0400

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent. For the next 40 days Christians around the world will fast in various ways to prepare for the coming of Resurrection Sunday. This is the high holy day where we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It was this moment that sets Jesus apart from all other would-be messiahs. The empty tomb is the key moment of our faith.

Ash Wednesday is the stark reminder that get to the resurrection Christ first had to go to the cross.

Many will wear ashes on their foreheads today to remind them of their mortality. The ashes signify that from dust we came, to dust we return. Just as Christ died, so too will we die.

The passages for today's readings point us in the direction of why there was a cross. There was a cross because we through our hypocrisy had separated ourselves from God.

Even though we might act like we honor God, in our hearts there is something else going on.

What is it? What else is going on?

It is this desire to honor ourselves. It is humanity playing out the temptations in the wilderness between Jesus and The Accuser in each of our own lives. Sadly, if we're honest, many times when push comes to shove we fail the test. When we do, we create separation between us and God.

In our humanity we are frail. In our humanity we are often given to the path of least resistance, whatever is easiest or makes us “happy” in the moment. In our humanity we often care more about looking the part than being the part.

We are reminded on this Ash Wednesday that though there was separation there is no more. Resurrection is coming. Death has been defeated. Reconciliation is ours because of the victory won on the cross and displayed in the resurrection.

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Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:47:06 -0400

Good morning! May you know in the midst of your humanity that within you resides the image of the divine. #MorningMug #MorningBlessing

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 23:12:38 -0400

Do you agree with Eckhart Tolle here? I am curious what people think about this. Is there always a lesson?

Whenever something negative happens to you, there is a deep lesson concealed within it.
— Eckhart Tolle

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:13:55 -0400

I love this place. Every time we come here, I never want to leave. #grateful 📷

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:22:10 -0400

This made me chuckle a bit too hard.

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:09:18 -0400

I’m so thankful to have been able to share our “happy place” with my mom this week. Dennis and Jeanne, Amy’s folks, are such kind and gracious hosts.

Mom wanted to do one thing for while she was here, to put her toes in the ocean. So we took care of that this afternoon under a beautiful Panama City Beach sky.

The Mystery of Following

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:46:45 -0400

Psalm 110:1-4; Job 19:23-27; 1 Timothy 3:14-16

I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I’m delayed, I’m writing this >letter so you’ll know how things ought to go in God’s household, this >God-alive church, bastion of truth. This Christian life is a great >mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear >enough: *He appeared in a human body, *was proved right by the invisible Spirit, *was seen by angels. *He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, *believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

I am always and consistently struck by the both-and of Jesus. Both a human and taken up to glory.

As I consider again this great reality of the dual nature of Christ, fully man and fully God, I am left in awe.

What leaves in even greater awe is what the author of 1 Timothy says right before the creedal statement, “some things are clear enough.”

The nature of Christ is clear enough. I think it's because it is grounded in the humanity of Jesus. We don't consider the humanity of Jesus well enough. The reality of him being alive and living in this world is something that we just don't let our minds and hearts consider. We are so deeply caught up in the cosmic Christ, this divine being that does all the miracles and conquered death.

But, the humanity of Jesus is what grounds him in reality. He gets hungry, tired, annoyed, angry, has conflict with family, is accused of being a drunk and a glutton. He has friends who he teases. He gets betrayed.

This Jesus of history and time is the Jesus that I can look at and say to myself, “Yep, I know what he's going through.”

Isn't it interesting that the mystery is the life of following Jesus. The mystery is not Jesus himself.

This makes so much sense if we take the Christian life seriously. If we actually try to live the things of the Sermon on the Mount, we are left wondering if this even possible.

This way of Jesus is a great mystery. There is grace upon grace. The rules are left under the auspices of love. This often leaves us wondering, “what do I do now?” The way of Jesus responds, “what is the way of love? of grace? of mercy?”

So, we are left to ponder afresh the Jesus of time and history and to wade into the mystery of how to follow him.

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Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:51:44 -0400

Good morning! May you not miss the forest for the trees today. #MorningBlessing #MorningMug

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:47:57 -0400

Whew! This is a quote…

The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of.
— Blaise Pascal

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:00:43 -0400

The sunsets here in Panama City Beach are just something else!

Dead End Drift

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:44:45 -0400

Psalm 110:1-4; Exodus 19:7-25; Hebrews 2:1-4

It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off.

In high school there as a class that I took called, Math Analysis. It was pre-Calculus. The teacher taught us through projects. We did a project with satellites and orbits that was super hard and really interesting.

I couldn't tell you any of the math. I don't even really remember much beyond what I've told already.

What I do remember is that if our calculations were off by even a fraction of a percent then our satellite would crash. You see, when you drift off course, even slightly, over thousands of miles the results are a significant deviation.

We experience this on a lesser scale all the time, don't we? I mean, how many banners have you made in your life where your kerning was off just a bit and you ran out of room? Oh, just about every single one? Me too!

The author of Hebrews reminds us that the same thing can happen with the gospel. We can begin to drift off and lose our way. We can end up down a dead end that leaves us confused and lost.

I'm reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey right now. He wrote this, “Goodness cannot be imposed externally, from the top down; it must grow internally, from the bottom up.”

As I look around our world today it seems that we Christians have perhaps lost the grip on the message of the Gospel. We clamor for a top down, externally imposed goodness. This loss has left us graceless, merciless, compassionless, and simply unkind.

I am reminded this morning that I must hold tight to the gospel message lest I drift. The drift though small can leave me lost in a dead end.

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Dead End Drift

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:44:45 -0400

Psalm 110:1-4; Exodus 19:7-25; Hebrews 2:1-4

It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off.

I couldn't tell you any of the math. I don't even really remember much beyond what I've told already.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that the same thing can happen with the gospel. We can begin to drift off and lose our way. We can end up down a dead end that leaves us confused and lost.

I'm reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey right now. He wrote this, “Goodness cannot be imposed externally, from the top down; it must grow internally, from the bottom up.”

I am reminded this morning that I must hold tight to the gospel message lest I drift. The drift though small can leave me lost in a dead end.

Discuss...

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Two Ditches

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:24:23 -0400

Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Kings 14:1-18; 1 Timothy 1:12-20

I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were violence and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.

For some of us pastors this is something we need to be reminded of regularly. I know I do.

There are two ditches that I find on either side of me as I consider my calling. On the one side is whining. Often, when I meet with colleagues there is a corporate time of whining about our calling and congregations. It's like Mr. Costanza's Festivus comes to church. There is a temptation to fall into a bit of despondency because our callings are related to people. People are never finished and people are always messy. When you never have closure you can get frustrated. This is part of the reason that Eugene Peterson would read The Brothers Karamazov every year. He needed a reminder that people's lives are fascinating.

The other ditch is one of arrogant power. We pastors can develop a bit of a god-complex. There is this sense that we speak for God to God's people and therefore the people ought to obey us. This, unchecked, will of course lead us to a place of spiritual abuse. We often hold our authority over people. When this happens it is ugly and causes serious harm.

Paul had the answer to staying between these two ditches. That is, in a word, gratitude.

Pastors, in my opinion, have the greatest job in the world. We get the opportunity to be part of the life of people. There is a presence we get to have as they learn to live the life of faith. We walk alongside them during the overwhelming joys of weddings and births. We also get to hold people's hands and put our arms around their shoulders during the painful times of their lives. We are always there in the background of their lives.

A simple presence during the good, the bad, and the mundane.

This is a beautiful thing that we are called to.

This calling is all grace.

None of us deserve it.

Each of us called to serve as ministers of the gospel do so by the gracious working of God through Christ.

What an honor! What a responsibility! What an absolute joy!

All by grace.

Oh, that I would consistently see my calling through the lens of gratitude. I need to continue learn this valuable lesson that Paul teaches Timothy here.

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Do You Stink?

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 09:54:19 -0400

Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Kings 11:26-40; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. >Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is >recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with >life.

I often wonder if this is true of me.

There are few things in this life that I desperately want. When I die, oh how I would love it to be said of me that because of Christ I gave off “an aroma redolent with life.”

So often I find myself staring into the mirror seeing my shortcomings and failings to love well. The lack of love is so easily apparent. Thankfully, there is a grace that knows no bounds that has been offered to me through this Christ whom I seek to follow.

This little passage is such a good reminder that words matter. How we live matters.

It's also a reminder that when we seek to live this way there will be people who won't respond well. They will see the pursuit of love and will find is distasteful, a stench.

But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.

How can I be sure that I'm speaking life? How can I know that the words and way I live are honoring and pleasing to Christ?

This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.

It's that last little bit that jumps at me, “say it as honestly as we can.”

There's no “but” tagged onto the words of Jesus. There's no attempt to package him or mitigate him for our comfort. No, when we are speaking the truth in love it is not going to be a cheap, watered down, Christ. It is going to be the message of the cross and resurrection that is laden with grace, mercy, compassion, empathy, and love.

I suppose this is the means by which I can evaluate myself. Is the way I live and the words I speak bookended with grace and love?

— Discuss...

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A Vending Machine or God?

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:57:23 -0400

Psalm 102:12-28; Job 6:1-13; Mark 3:7-12

Each morning I share a little morning blessing in my social streams. Nothing big, just a little something that runs through my mind. This morning I shared, “may you choose to be content despite your circumstances.” With this being a Wednesday we can often find ourselves buried by details and tasks. It can be really hard to be content.

But, there's also a bigger picture beyond the small every day stuff. Some of us find ourselves in these difficult situations where it feels like the whole world is closing in on us. Some of it is due to our own decision making and some of it is due to things beyond our control.

Often times when we find ourselves in these situations we turn to God out of desperation.

Like Job we wonder why hasn't God done the things we want him to do on our behalf.

The arrows of God Almighty are in me, poison arrows—and I’m poisoned all through! God has dumped the whole works on me. Donkeys bray and cows moo when they run out of pasture— so don’t expect me to keep quiet in this. Do you see what God has dished out for me? It’s enough to turn anyone’s stomach! Everything in me is repulsed by it— it makes me sick.

Yet, more often than not I wonder if we are really more like the crowds chasing Jesus around. The people who have experienced God's provision and then demand more.

He had healed many people, and now everyone who had something >wrong was pushing and shoving to get near and touch him.

God is not a vending machine that we can drop a quarter into and get something in return. It's just not how things work. No, God relates to us. God engages with us. God is calling and drawing us in deeper beyond our wants and desires.

There are times when we will walk through difficult things. It's parf of living in this imperfect world amongst imperfect people. There is sickness, mental and physical, there are natural disasters, there are things well out of our control.

Sometimes we have to face the consequences of our decisions.

Sometimes we experience the consequences of other people's decisions.

Sometimes we find immediate healing and relief.

Sometimes we have to learn contentment in the midst of our circumstances.

If you're anything like me when I'm facing the hard stuff I want to know why God doesn't answer my fervent prayer to fix it and fix it now. Then, sometime later I see how the plan worked itself out and see God's hand in it.

As C.S. Lews writes about Aslan in the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.” “ Ooh” said Susan. “I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall >feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”... “Safe?” said Mr Beaver ...“Who said anything about safe? 'Course he >isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

I love this picture of Aslan. He isn't safe but he is good. In our home we talk often of God being sovereign and good. We can trust God because God is in control and is good. This helps us find contentment in the midst of circumstances.

No, God is not a vending machine. God works in God's ways on God's own timing. I'm learning to be content with that.

— Discuss...

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That Time They Fought

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 10:38:09 -0400

Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 8:1-6; Acts 15:36-41

What do you do when conflict arises? This little passage in Acts 15 is always fascinating to me because it gives us a snapshot of the less than perfect leaders in the early church. It turns out that they were as human and normal as we are. They had disagreements and tempers and personalities. (Side note, I'm thankful that the Bible preserves the imperfections because it helps us know and understand these people were just like us.)

Paul and Barnabas disagreed on taking young Mark along on the journey. So, they parted ways. Their disagreement on this man lead them to breaking off their partnership. This doesn't sound like the kind of thing that the writer of two thirds of the New Testament should do, does it? This was a guy who had visions of the risen Christ. He was a guy who would go on to write, possibly, the greatest passage on love in human history. Yet, here he is unable to continue in relationship with someone who was his mentor and friend over a disagreement.

There's no moral judgment in the passage about the argument. There's just a statement of the facts of the matter.

I think one of the things that comes out of this brief story is that it's OK to agree to disagree. Some times we come to a place where we simply have to say, “We aren't going to see eye to eye and for the greater good we ought to part ways.”

It also brings to mind a conversation that I've a number of times about the nature of forgiveness. I think that when we talk about forgiveness we need to distinguish between forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. Forgiveness is a one way street. It's what the offended person does so as to not develop bitterness in their own soul. Reconciliation is a two way street when the two people can be present with one another. This is a two way street where the offender acknowledges their hurtful action and the offended is willing to remain in relationship. Restoration is when the hurt has been moved past and the relationship has been returned to a previous or deeper state.

I imagine that Paul and Barnabas forgave one another. Perhaps in their separating there was even reconciliation in that they were not estranged from one another. We see later in the book of Acts a restoration when Mark joins Paul on the journey.

When we enter into conflict the minimum outcome we hope for is forgiveness from our own point of view. When it comes to reconciliation and restoration, that is something that requires two people to move towards one another. We don't really control the reconciliation and restoration aspect. And sometimes, those are not healthy outcomes (particularly in cases of abuse, restoration is not something that we need to pursue).

This morning I am processing whom I may need to forgive or whom I need to ask forgiveness of.

— Discuss...

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You Are Not Dismissed

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 12:01:49 -0400

Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 4:8-17, 32-37; Acts 14:1-7

One of the things that I like about the Psalms is that they make me feel normal.

I don't know about you but when it comes to my experience with the divine it's up and down and left and right. It's a mixed bag to put it simply. There are days when I'm really angry with God. Then there are days where it feels like God is right in front of me and I feel God like never before. There are also days where I'm totally indifferent to God.

Maybe I'm an odd duck (well, I know I'm an odd duck, who in their right mind chooses to be a pastor...)?

Perhaps this isn't your experience at all. It sure is mine.

For a long time I tried to pretend that it wasn't like that. For my adult life I have been a professional Christian. I was a missionary to the college campus and now a pastor. I am supposed to have a dynamic relationship with God. One that is constantly on the upswing and never dips. That simply isn't true.

Over the years, I have learned that being honest about relationship with God has become the most important thing in having a relationship with God. It is amazing as I share struggles with others that they too have them and we are able to find encouragement from one another. When I pretend or lie about my relationship with God I inevitably isolate myself. During these seasons of isolation it can feel like I'm in a hole that I can't dig out of.

Thankfully, I have found myself in a community of people who love me without condition. I can share all of myself with them and as a result, I find that my relationship with God is more honest and real.

I resonated with verse 17 in Psalm 102,

“When he attends to the prayer of the wretched. He won’t dismiss their prayer.”

When I feel wretched, God won't dismiss me. When you feel wretched, God won't dismiss you either.

How amazing is that?

When we are at our most unloveable God still embraces us. Why? Because God is compassionate and loving and merciful and gracious.

— Discuss...

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February 2, 2024

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:43:16 -0400

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16

Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than >to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. 1 Corinthians >9:12b, The Message

I love and hate this line from Paul.

In this chapter he's writing about his rights as an apostle. He is reminding the Corinthians that it's OK for him to be supported by the people of and to make a living as a minister of the gospel.

But, he has chosen not to exert those rights.

Why?

Because they can get in the way of the message of Christ.

Imagine, not using a right that is yours because it might detract from the message of Christ.

Am I willing to do such a thing? What are the rights that I demand that hinder the message of Christ?

So much to wrestle with.

— Discuss...

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February 1, 2024

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:38:11 -0400

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Proverbs 12:10-21; Galatians 5:2-15

I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you >attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from >Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying >relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion >nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far >more interior: faith expressed in love. – Galatians 5:4-6, The Message

How often do I seek to live by my own religious plans and projects?

All. The. Time.

I remember when I first began learning about the depths of grace in books like The Ragamuffin Gospel, What's So Amazing About Grace, and Putting Amazing Back Into Grace. It was like someone took the blinders off me. All of a sudden there was this overwhelming sense of freedom that I never knew existed in my faith life.

But, then something happened.

I became legalistic about freedom.

As Paul might have said, I stopped practicing conscientious religion for a disregard of religion.

My freedom had become license.

Both legalism and license are missing the mark.

Grace frees us to live a life of faith expressed in love.

What a remarkable idea to consider.

My life is too often not one of faith expressed in love. It is often faith expressed in rules, expectations, demands, or control. Too many times everything boils down to a simple recipe of “do this” and “don't do that.”

But Grace calls me deeper. It calls me to a place of love. Love means that I'm free to serve, to be present, to listen, to simply be.

Grace-Love it's not easy to put your arms around. You have to just do it, live it, practice it. And oh does it take practice!

The further into living a life of Grace-Love the more you find yourself in situations that you can't control. So, the temptation is ever present to grasp control back. I have to keep learning that the call, the deep call of Grace-Love is that of letting go.

It's neither license nor legalism. It something far deeper, indeed, a faith expressed in love.

— Discuss...

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January 31, 2024

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:15:23 -0400

Psalm 35:1-10; Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 5:1-20

One of my favorite movies is Garden State. There is a marvelous scene where the two main characters are sitting in a pool and they are talking about, “home” and “family.”

Andrew Largeman: You know that point in your life when you realize the house >you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you >have some place where you put your shit, that idea of home is gone.

Sam: I still feel at home in my house.

Andrew Largeman: You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens >one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel >homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, >you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of >home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle >or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all >family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place.

What resonates with me this morning is that line about how “home” is an idea that you create for yourself.

As I was reading these passages this morning this movie scene immediately popped into my head. In Jeremiah he's sending a letter to the people in exile and telling them create for themselves homes in Babylon. In Mark Jesus sends the healed demoniac back to his home country. Home is a theme that for whatever just jumped out of the text to me.

Home is not something that just happens. We cultivate it. We create it. Home can be anywhere! I'm watching my children create a sense of home at their respective universities. Sure, they love coming to my home for a visit, but there is a restlessness that is ever present because this house is no longer home for them.

I think there is something innate in us all to create a home. It's a reflection of the Divine. The first stories humanity told were about the Divine making a home for us. Now we reflect that every day.

In some sense we all find ourselves in exile. We await the eternal home. But until then, perhaps we would be wise to remember the letter of Jeremiah...

This is the Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles >I’ve taken from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and make yourselves at home. “Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. “Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so >that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away. “Make yourselves at home there and work for the country’s welfare. “Pray for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for >you.”

— Discuss...

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January 30, 2024

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:32:01 -0400

Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 22:22-28; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

One of the things that I really like doing is spending time reading in The Message. The reason for this is that it often opens my eyes to familiar passages in different ways. It gets me to think about them differently. I really need this because I have spent so much time thinking about the Scriptures from a theological angle that to have my normal perceptions jarred is so helpful.

Today's reading, for instance, 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 is all about Paul's teaching on singleness and celibacy. This passage has always lead me into a million questions about marriage, singleness, etc...

Reading today in The Message, there was this translation of verse 32:

I want you to live as free of complications as possible.

It jolted me.

I stared at the line and it dawned on me that perhaps Paul's heart in this section was just that, he was calling people to consider how live lives that are free of complications so as to limit the things that demand our attention.

Could it be that that is the principle here? Is it possible that is the core of what Paul is talking about and using marriage as an illustration, while also sharing his opinion?

I think it might be.

So this then leads me to what I'm thinking about today, “What are the complications in my life that are taking away my attention from what matters most?”

— Discuss...

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January 29, 2024

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:07:01 -0400

Psalm 35:1-10 // Numbers 22:1-21 // Acts 21:17-26

But let me run loose and free, celebrating GOD’s great work, Every bone in my body laughing, singing, “GOD, there’s no one like you. You put the down-and-out on their feet and protect the unprotected from bullies!”

This morning as I was processing these passages it struck me that what I want is so often very shallow, very lame, and so much less than what God would have for me.

The stories told in Numbers and Acts each in their own ways point to the reality that there is more to what God is doing than what I often see. I get focused on immediate circumstances so easily. I lose the forest for the trees.

God, typically, has something so much more for me than what I think I want in the immediate moment.

I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses.

Oh that I would pursue the infinite joy that is offered me!

And yet, where is that infinite joy put on display? It is put on display when when God puts the “down-and-out on their feet and protect(s) the unprotected from bullies!”

This is where I will find the infinite joy! When I get involved with what God is doing in the world then I will move beyond my weak and desires to those things that are much stronger.

— Discuss...

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January 16, 2024

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:02:40 -0400

Psalm 86; 1 Samuel 15:10-31; Acts 5:1-11

Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production.

“The ends justify the means.”

Right?

If the result is good then how we go about bringing that result doesn't matter, right? RIGHT!?

Not even close.

If we claim to be on the way of Christ then the means, the how, is more important than the ends.

That passage about Saul from 1 Samuel 15 is almost a parable for our time. So many followers of Jesus are willing to sell their souls for their political ends. If we are honest with ourselves many of us read that story about Saul and think, “What's the big deal? He won. That's mattered.” Yet, in the economy of God that isn't what matters. What matters is the way you do the things that you are doing. Living in the way is all that matters.

Why?

Why does the way matter more than the end?

Because God is sovereign and good. We are able to trust that this sovereign and good God will bring about the ends that God wants. Because of this we enter into the way realizing that the ends are not the goal but the journey.

What I'm wrestling with today, “Am I embracing the journey or am I simply pursuing an end?”

— Discuss...

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January 8, 2023

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:09:22 -0400

Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36; Genesis 17:1-18; Romans 4:1-12

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

The juxtaposition of Genesis 17 against Romans 4 (which is a discussion of Genesis 15) is remarkable.

Paul holds up Abraham in his letter to the Romans as a paragon of faith. Yet, as we read in Genesis 17 this faith of Abraham's was one that was rife with doubt. Abraham was no fool. He understood what was happening in the promises being offered him from the Divine. A 90 year old couldn't possibly have a child. So Abraham says this, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” (Genesis 17:18)

The father of the faith was one who doubted.

The one whose belief was credited to him as righteousness didn't quite believe.

I mean, it's amazing isn't it? It's not like Abraham offered a plan to go adopt a child. No, Abraham was hoping that his (by our standards) illegitimate son by his wife's servant (slave and likely could not have said no to the demand to be impregnated by Abraham) could receive the blessing offered by God. This is all an absolute mess. Yet, Paul lifts this man up as the father of the faith and God says his faith is credited to him as righteousness.

There is nothing clean or perfect or easy about faith.

Faith is hard. Faith is ugly. Faith is doubt. Faith is failing. Faith is painful. Faith is grace. Faith is mercy. Faith is love.

Faith is a bare knuckled brawl to hold on to hope in the face of an apparent reality that doesn't make sense.

The faith that we see in the Scripture is not something that comes from ourselves. It is a faith that is really and truly wrapped up in the faithfulness of the Divine.

In the end, it is the faithfulness of the Divine that brings about all the good in the story. Both for Abraham and for us.

— Discuss...

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January 5, 2024

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:02:31 -0400

Psalm 110; Proverbs 22:1-9; Luke 6:27-31

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

It is fascinating to me that these two readings are side by side. I was pondering on the second from Proverbs 22:8 and wondering, “how does the rod of injustice get broken?” Then BOOM, Luke 6:27-28, love.

This then leads to the question that I am confronted with:

Am I listening?

Perhaps the better question is, “am I hearing?“

I think of the scene from the film White Men Can't Jump where they are riding in the car talking about listening to Jimi Hendrix as opposed to hearing Jimi. Wesley Snipes character is emphatic that you are supposed to “hear” not “listen” to Jimi. Later in pivotal point of change for Woody Harrelson's character Snipes says, “Now you hear Jimi.”

We think we need to listen to Jesus, but the reality is that we need to hear him. There is something deeper that happens when we are heard as opposed to listened to.

I think the difference is that hearing leads to a response.

To love the way Jesus calls me to love in Luke 6 is something that I can give lip service to if I am listening. But, if I am hearing then it demands a response. The way of Jesus is radical.

I am wrestling today with, “Am I hearing?”

— Discuss...

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January 4, 2023

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:32:09 -0400

Psalm 110; Proverbs 3:1-12; James 4:11-17

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

I know that it's not cool to talk about “discipline.” Yet, I was really struck by the passage this morning from Proverbs. I mean, honestly, all the passages were punches in the gut today. But, this little verse really stood out.

It seems like we are living in a time where the idea of being disciplined by God is somehow counter God's divine love. Yet, when I think about my children and being a good dad, my disciplining of them was just as important as my grace toward them. It is in discipline that we grow. Just like a plant needs to be pruned to reach its full potential, so do we need discipline at times to reach ours.

Too often we think of God's discipline as some sort of fire and brimstone laden with wrath. But, the writer of Proverbs describes the LORD as a father who delights in his son. I delight in both my son and daughter. My discipline of them was rarely one fueled by anger. It was typically fueled by a desire to see them become the kind of people that I knew they could be.

If I, an imperfect earthly dad, can discipline in love for the good of my children, how much more so would the Divine?

God's discipline is not something that I need to run from. But, something that I can look toward as loving and compassionate so that I can become the best version of myself. It is the very renewal of the image of God in me.

What are your thoughts about the discipline of God?

— Discuss...

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December 14, 2023

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:48:17 -0400

Philippians 3:7-11

Advent, Day 12

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”

I love this passage. It's one my favorite passages in all the Scriptures. It is one of those that just resonate deeply within my soul.

I remember hearing this passage preached by Sinclair Ferguson at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. I will never forget his Scottish brogue booming out verse 11.

This desire to know Christ has become the driving force of my life. More than anything I want to truly know Christ. This knowledge that moves beyond facts and figures. I want to have an experiential knowledge of Christ.

The problem with this is that it means I have to experience a tension that never ends.

This tension of resurrection life and suffering.

Too often we want to believe that if we are walking closely with Christ then life will be easy and good. The fact of the matter is that as we know Christ we are going further up and further in to experiential relationship with him. This means experiencing resurrection life and suffering. The tension of the two is the means by which know Christ intimately.

During Advent we are reminded that in the midst of the suffering there is a longing for the resurrection life that will ultimately win out. So, we look toward his second Advent. The Advent of all things being made new and all suffering ceased.

Today I'm wrestling with, “Am I embracing the tension of resurrection life and suffering or am I just trying to avoid suffering?”

— Discuss...

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December 12, 2023

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:49:47 -0400

Isaiah 4:2-6

Advent, Day 10

“Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.”

I've never thought about the glory of God being a shelter and a refuge.

This ties in a bit with yesterday's passage about knowing who God is and that providing confidence, I think.

The storms of life will come. That's a given. Nobody gets through this life unscathed. All of us are going to face pain, heartbreak, and grief. The question is what will we do when that pain, heartbreak, and grief become present in our lives?

We can fight. We can flee. We can freeze.

Or so the contemporary wisdom goes.

But, what if there was something else that we could do? What if we could rest? What if we could find rest in the knowledge that the glory of God offers refuge and shelter in the storm?

I typically fight when hard stuff comes. Anger is my default emotional response. I don't get sad, I don't get scared, I get angry.

Over the last few years though I have been learning from watching my friend die that there's a different path. There is this path of rest. This way of yielding to Divine love and in so doing grieve and also find joy. It's a tension of the already but not yet that gets played out in real time.

Today I'm wrestling with the question, “Can I choose to rest in the glorious divine love in the face of grief and pain?”

— Discuss...

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December 11, 2023

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:51:54 -0400

Psalm 27

Advent, Day 9

”...even then I will be confident.”

Psalm 27 was one of the readings today and it has this little line, “even the I will be confident.”

I am thinking a lot about what it means to be confident right now for a series of talks that I will be giving in March, so of course this popped off the page.

The Psalm opens with a declaration of the identity of who God is for the psalmist. God is described as the light, salvation, and stronghold. Because of this the psalmist declares that they have no fear.

How little fear does the psalmist have?

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”

I can't imagine what it would be like to have an army besiege me or war break out against me, but I'm pretty sure that I'd experience deep fear. If these bad things would befall me, would I still have confidence?

It turns out that confidence in this situation is rooted in the sure knowledge of the identity of the Divine. The psalmist doesn't wonder or doubt who the Divine is. There is no question in the psalmist's mind that the Divine offers light, salvation, and is a stronghold.

Having a sure sense of who God is what provides a foundation that offers confidence, even in the midst of great distress.

Today, I'm pondering: “Do I have a deep awareness of the grace, mercy, and lovingkindness of God so that when I face the storms of life I will have confidence?”

— Discuss...

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December 7, 2023

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:31:25 -0400

Hosea 6:1-6

Advent, Day 5

“Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.”

This is one of those passages that grabs me consistently in so many different ways. I read it and sit, almost stunned by its beauty and its challenge to my soul.

This morning the line quoted above was like a 2x4 between the eyes.

How often is this true of me regarding God?

Whenever I don't get my way with God my love grows cold so quickly. Whenever I experience any disappointment with my wants and desires my love dissipates.

“Whenever” happens more than I'd like to admit.

I am sure glad that Amy's love for me is not like my love for God.

What's wild to me is that God has an amazing track record in my life. When things really matter, God has made God's presence felt in my life. God in God's grace has helped me gain perspective sooner rather than later in those seasons of significant pain.

God's love for me has been enduring. God's love for me has proven faithful.

Yet, my love for God is like the morning mist.

— Discuss...

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December 6, 2023

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 16:03:23 -0400

Luke 21:34-38

Advent, Day 4

““Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.”

I've been meditating on today's passage for a few hours now and something has clicked in my heart as I have pondered on it.

A number of years ago God broke me of my legalism about all sorts of things. But, then God needed to break of my legalism about not being legalistic. That was a fun (yeah let's call it that) journey.

What got my mind spinning was the connection between carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life. I can see how carousing and drunkenness aren't good things and are choices that I make. But, the “anxieties of life?” I felt like I was in a segment from Sesame Street's “one of these things is not like the other.” How could Jesus compare the first two to the third?

Well, it finally clicked when my mind was able to connect Jesus' prescription for the problems he listed. Namely, “watch and pray.”

Carousing is defined as, “the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way.” Drunkenness is drinking alcohol to excess. Anxiety is, “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”

Jesus prescribes us to watch and pray otherwise our hearts are weighed down by these things.

Enjoying time with friends and enjoying alcohol are not bad in and of themselves. It's when we take them to a place of excess that they become problematic. Planning for the future and counting the costs for tomorrow aren't bad things until they are taken to a place of excess.

Alcohol has not been an issue for me in my life. My drug of choice is food. Food is where I find control and seek emotional solace.

If Jesus were specifically speaking to me he would say that I need to be careful otherwise my heart will get weighed down with gluttony and the anxieties of life.

In this season of Advent we are in this time of waiting that begins in the darkness. When the world is dark we begin to feel out of control. So, we start grabbing for anything that makes us feel like we have control again. Food, drink, anxiety. If we are not careful these things will weigh our hearts down. We will find ourselves in a very real sense, out of our minds.

So, we watch and pray.

Isn't it interesting, there's not a single mention here of reading the Scriptures or meditating on God's word. No, the call is to watch and pray. That is, we are to seek to enter into the presence of the Divine through prayer.

I think Jesus calls us to this because if we can acknowledge that we are not God and if we can acknowledge that we can trust God to be in control, then we will find freedom from the anxieties of this life. We can enjoy a good meal without becoming gluttonous. We can enjoy a good party with friends without it becoming carousing.

When we have found peace, that wholeness of self and rest in God, then we will find freedom.

This is the hope of Advent.

It is a hope of freedom to joy rooted in the God that cares for all things.

— Discuss...

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December 5, 2023

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:51:29 -0400

Micah 4:6-13

Advent, Day 3

In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation.”

This verse is fascinating to me.

Honestly, it challenges me and at the same time encourages me.

I am astounded by the God that self-identifies as the one who brought people to grief. There's no running from it. Through Micah's voice the God of the universe owns that fact that God has brought people to grief.

What do we do that?

How do we respond to it?

Let's be clear, this prophet is writing to a people in exile. A people that was indeed being judged by the divine. So, perhaps my (and maybe your) immediate response needs to be a bit tempered. The grief here is due to the experience of exile and judgement.

OK, fair enough.

Yet, the focus here is not on the judgement. But, it is on the other aspect of this, namely, that God will gather, assemble, and make strong.

In the midst of grief and exile God is at work doing something that will undo all of it.

This gives me hope.

I don't know about you, but when life gets messy I wonder, “where is God?” It turns out that God is working in the background and that I can hope that there will be a great undoing. If God does this for those whom were disobedient and under judgement, how much more so will God do this for those this side of the resurrection?

As I read and ponder these words and thinking about what the prophets said about exile and the remnant, I realize more and more how the message of resurrection and reconciliation in Christ carried such power.

Advent allows us to enter into the waiting through holy imagination that those before us lived through. They lived through the hope of the coming of the undoing. We get to experience the undoing every day.

Today I'm thinking about, “Will I recognize the undoing of grief all around me?”

— Discuss...

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December 4, 2023

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:51:47 -0400

Micah 4:1-5

Advent, Day 2

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

As we fully enter into the Advent season, I am looking forward to reading and meditating on the prophets. Each year most of the readings come from them during this season.

Advent is a time of preparation and fasting and waiting and hoping.

As I read Micah 4:1-5 today there was all kinds of good stuff in just a brief passage. But, the second half of verse three resonated deeply with me.

I don't know about you, but my heart is breaking because of the war and violence that seems to be everywhere. Israel and Hamas, Russia and Ukraine, the genocide of the Uighurs in China, the ongoing violence in Haiti, the never-ending wars on the continent of Africa, not to mention the violence that leads news broadcasts locally every day.

Of war and violence there seems to be no end.

All would seem hopeless if I didn't have the hopeful promise of a day coming when, “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”

What is fascinating to me is the beginning of verse three, “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.” This is not a pie in the sky kind of hope. This is a rugged and real hope. The days of peace will not be without disputes. It's just that the day I long for will have the disputes settled without violence because the Lord will settle them.

Oh how I long for this day!

— Discuss...

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December 1, 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 12:02:08 -0400

Psalm 80:1-19

“Restore us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

This repeated line in Psalm 80 rings out to me today.

This psalm opens by crying out for help and as the cry continues there seems to be a recognition that the people deserved a rebuke from God. The first time this line is uttered it is in reference to a perceived persecution but then the second time it is in light of the recognition of rebuke.

We live in a day and age where Christians, especially Evangelical Christians, feel like they are being persecuted. From much of my reading about culture and politics this feeling of persecution is what lead the majority of my brothers and sisters in Christ to support Donal Trump for the presidency. They are afraid and they want a strong man to protect them. As I look around I don't see any persecution. I see loads of persecution complexes but no real persecution.

I think what we are seeing is that many of us are confusing persecution with rebuke.

As I look on my own life, any time that someone calls me out for my failing to love well I initially receive it as persecution. It is often not until I have had time to reflect that it was a good an proper rebuke and I can confess, concur, and change.

On the whole, the American Christian church appears to be in the midst of a season of rebuke and we sure don't like it.

We have failed to love well.

I have failed to love well.

Today I'm wrestling with, “How can I grow in receiving rebuke not as persecution but as an opportunity to grow in love?”

— Discuss...

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November 27, 2023

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:31:24 -0400

2 Timothy 2:19-26

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”

Do you know how to get something to go “viral” on the internet? Make a foolish and stupid argument.

It's easy. I've had a few.

Do you know what happens after a time though? Your soul begins to wither. You become cynical and jaded. Your heart hardens. Happiness is found in other people's distress and anger.

It's gross.

Over the last number of years I've begun to intentionally avoid such things on the internet. I will have hard conversations in person. Because when we sit face to face we can't forget that the other person in made in God's likeness. But, even then, I am constantly on guard about whether or not the conversation is beneficial or if it's just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Particularly, this is true about sports and politics.

It's becoming more true of just about anything.

I want to be a person that discusses difficult things. I want to be a person who speaks up against injustice. I want to be a person that speaks for the truth.

I do not want to be involved in foolish and stupid arguments.

The latter demands that I listen and be fully present in the hard conversations. It requires me to hear what the other person is saying and noticing when the discussion has jumped the shark.

Today, I'm wrestling with this, “Am I fully present in the midst of difficult conversations or am I only concerned with winning an argument?”

— Discuss...

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November 20, 2023

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:30:27 -0400

Romans 2:1-11 (The Message)

“Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.”

Do you ever read the Bible and think, “Well, that bit was written just for me!”?

That happened this morning. As I ponder on this passage I am reminded of that old saying, “When you point the finger that someone, there's three pointing back at you!”

Over the last week I have a multiple conversations with people about this idea of taking the log out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck from our neighbor's eye. It is amazing to me that I continue to have to wrestle with this in my own life. You would think that after kindergarten I'd have figured it out.

But, no.

Here I am still a judgemental jerk on so many levels.

I experience happiness when “those” people get it. I make excuses my people blow it.

What is it with me and this desire to judge others?

Well, this passage reminds me that it means there are likely issues in my own life that I'm seeking to distract myself and God from. Once again I find myself needing to do ever greater introspection to be sure that I'm seeking to love well.

I think I'm coming to learn that growing in my faith is like becoming stronger in the gym. As you get stronger you have increase the weight that you lift so that you can continue to grow stronger. As I go deeper into my faith I have to go deeper still into seeing the shadows of my own life to bring light to them.

Just because the shadow isn't as long as it used to be doesn't mean it's not there. I am learning that I can notice it most clearly as I judge others. That's the flashing light that says, “Hey bub, you to shine the light over here and deal with this!”

Today I am pondering, “Do I think that I can distract God from my shortfalls by pointing out the falling short of others?”

— Discuss...

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When Religion Goes Bad

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:26:24 -0400

God-washed power pollutes everything it touches but there is hope

Over the last year I've read three books that have caused me significant pause.

The first was, A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. The second was, Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. The third was, The Flag and the Cross by Phillip Gorski and Samuel Perry.

All three of these books evaluate the state of the American Evangelical church from slightly different perspectives. A Church Called Tov offers a prescription and hope for how to be a church that is good. Jesus and John Wayne looks at the historical development for how the American Evangelical church became the church that we see all around us. The Flag and the Cross is a data driven book that takes a look at White Christian Nationalism.

These three books have helped me answer the question, “Why?”

—

Why are we in the situation that we are in? What has happened to the American church? How did we get to a place where the many people are more aligned to political agendas than they are to the cause of Christ? Why are we seeing so many pastors falling morally? Why are so many people waking up to realize that they have been abused spiritually by the men and women that they have entrusted their souls to?

Why?

While all three of these have slightly different angles, I think they are all wrestling with the same fundamental question. How does religion deal with having power? Specifically how does Christianity handle power? Even more specifically, what happens when Evangelicalism ascends to a place of significant cultural and political power?

I would encourage you to read the books, They are accessible and have been helpful.

—

As I have pondered what these authors have written I have come to realize that there is a significant rot in the heart of American Evangelical Christianity.

Christianity has always thrived when it was not in power. It is a faith that was formed in the crucible of persecution. As power has shifted to the West, Christianity came with it. Over the last 150 years or so we have seen Christianity come to the fore as a power in and of itself.

One would hope that a faith that is rooted in self-sacrifical love, love of neighbor, and love of enemy would handle power well.

Sadly, we have failed the test.

We have failed the test corporately and we have failed individually as well.

What I am seeing all around me is the reality that power corrupts and God-washed power corrupts infinitely more.

—

C.S. Lewis wrote in his Reflections on the Psalms, “If the Divine call does not make us better, it will make us very much worse. Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst. Of all created beings the wickedest is one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God.”

Christianity has been gutted from the inside out. In much of American Christianity there is little spiritual formation or moral formation. It is all about “getting people saved.”

“Pray this prayer and get saved.”

The desire to sell eternal fire insurance has created a culture that is a mile wide and an inch deep. We are reaping now what we have sown over the last seventy years or so.

Christianity is now a token to trade for positions of power. It is no longer a life transforming faith.

In those first decades of the Christian faith it was known as, “The Way.” There was a lived aspect to Christianity. The expectation was that following in the way of Jesus was of utter importance.

Today? Today we simply disregard the teachings and ways of Jesus if they get in our way of power.

We have seen the rise to power of the “religious bad men.”

—

Is there any hope?

I think so.

If we can first acknowledge the reality that many of us hunger and thirst for power more than we do righteousness, that would be a good start. We need to own up to the fact that the grievances that many have toward the institution of the church are real and true.

We need to learn again the importance of spiritual formation for the one who is seeking to follow Jesus.

There must be a re-ordering of our lives. The way of Jesus must be first. This is what Jesus meant when he said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)” Jesus is arguing for a re-orienting of our lives.

Jesus' way is ultimately self-sacrificial rooted in love. When Jesus was offered power he said, “No.”

In the letter to the Philippians, Paul of Tarsus challenged the church there to relate to one another in light of the way of Christ. He wrote of Christ,

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

There is hope. It is rooted not in the pursuit of power but in the pursuit of sharing the mind of Christ.

I desperately want this to be true of me. I so badly want to be a person for who is living the way of Jesus rooted in self-sacrificial love.

I can not change the world. I can change me and I can model this way for those whom have trusted themselves to my spiritual care.

It is high time for the rise of the religious good people.

— Discuss...

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November 16, 2023

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 13:03:02 -0400

Judge 2:6-15

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.”

There may be no more enduring meme than the angry old guy yelling, “Get off my lawn!” It seems that every generation feels like the “youth” are terrible and only getting worse. They look at the world and say, “These darn kids are hopeless.”

The younger generation mocks the older as well. “OK Boomer,” is the refrain that rings out these days.

Perhaps it's human nature to dislike the young or the old.

What strikes me is that so often we complain about the “youth” without taking a moment to consider the reality that those of us in the previous generations are responsible for the emerging generations.

Do we really care?

The emerging generations don't appear out of nowhere. They parented and raised by someone. Who could it be? Oh, yeah, the previous generations.

As I read this passage it finally hit me that the people in the previous generations didn't continue to pass on the stories of the God-Who-Saves to the next. Eventually, the people found themselves alone in the wilderness so to speak. It isn't the fault of the emerging generation.

I am coming to think that every emerging generation is a reflection of the inner realities of the previous generation.

Think about that for a moment.

We take what is in us and implant those values and principles into those we raise. They then embody those things. If we don't like what we see, it's our fault, not theirs. People can only ultimately only know what they've been taught.

And more is caught than taught.

Wait, what?

How we live is the clearest display of what we really think and believe. That gets caught by the emerging generations.

What we see in them that we appreciate and despise are things that we as the previous generation implanted in them through our display of life and what we specifically taught. Some of it also a reaction against the things that they see as hypocritical and wrong (which it almost always is).

The question I'm pondering, “How am I displaying for the emerging generations the life of love, grace, and mercy?”

— Discuss...

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November 15. 2023

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:23:42 -0400

Jeremiah 31:31-34

“I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Self-centeredness has been on my mind lately due to the readings that have I been meditating on this week. As I come to this little passage where God unveils the next development in God's covenantal relationship with God's people, I am struck by the communal aspect of it.

In American Christianity we have often been enamored with the individual. We make all our heroes into John Wayne types. Strong, solitary, and not needing anyone. Yet, this is not what we actually see in the Scriptures. All of the heroes of the faith were deeply embedded in community.

Our fascination with the individual has bled over into our understanding of what God is up to in the world. We think of God as saving individuals. Yet, it appears that there is something more that God is doing. God is out here redeeming for God-self a people.

A community. A body. A congregation. A people.

I have heard so many messages about taking verses like this and individualizing it. This absolutely misses the point.

As I grow older and (I think) wiser, I am coming to the conclusion that it is not possible to walk with God alone. We walk with God in community.

The question I'm pondering today, “Am I opening myself to community or am I isolating myself?”

— Discuss...

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November 14, 2023

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:36:27 -0400

Nehemiah 8:1-12

“Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.”

Nehemiah is one of those books in the Bible that get used for “leadership” retreats and the like. It always amazes me how we can take these ancient texts and make them fit into whatever we want them to fit. Nevertheless, that's not the point.

As I meditated on this passage this morning I was struck by the closing verse about how the people went away to celebrate because they understood the Scriptures. It was striking because it challenges my understanding of my calling in the realm of preaching or communicating the Scriptures to God's people.

I have always thought of the task before me to be one of challenging God's people to consider the Scriptures in such a way that brings about life change. But, did I miss the boat? Have I missed something important in my calling?

I think perhaps I have.

Could it be that the result I ought to be hoping for is for people to experience joy?

As I grow in my faith I experience more joy. Why? Because I grasp more fully the depths of God's grace and love for me and others. Maturing in faith leads to greater love and greater love leads to greater joy.

It turns that I've not been thinking about the end of my pastoring the people who have trusted their spiritual life to me. I've only thought about the process. It's like in parenting, if I'm raising children I do things very differently than if I'm raising adults.

I want to be a pastor that is focused on building joy in the people who entrust themselves to my care.

Today I'm pondering, “Am I leading to people to joy and celebration or to something less?”

— Discuss...

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November 13, 2023

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:44:13 -0400

Psalm 78

“They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.”

This psalm is one that constantly grabs my attention. It does so on multiple levels. Today, as I sit here meditating on it verse 18 almost levitated off the page.

It wasn't the putting God to the test bit that jumps out. It is the “demanding the food they craved,” bit.

I am such a selfish and self-centered person. So much of my feelings toward the Divine is related on whether or not my cravings are met. I don't think in my life I have ever experienced need. (At least not knowingly, I am sure that my mom would be able to tell me some behind the scenes times when things were really hard.)

During the first few years of our marriage finances were tight. We laugh about taking rolled coins to Hot 'N Now for date nights. But, even then, we had all our needs met. We had food and housing and clothes and vehicles and gasoline. There was no need that we had that wasn't taken care of.

There have been times that I have had some significant desires for material items and those were not able to be met. “Oddly”, it was during those when I felt like the Divine was farthest from me.

Golly gee why was that?

Because my wants and desires weren't being met.

Now, let's be very clear, I am not equating seasons of deep and abiding pain with what I'm wrestling with. I have friends who have lost children and spouses. Questioning the presence and care of the Divine in those times is not what I'm wrestling with today.

No, I'm wrestling with this sense of feeling like God has failed me because I haven't received my wants and desires like a spoiled child.

I think this is what the psalmist is getting at with this line about the “food they craved.” God was providing for the need of the people but they wanted more. They wanted their cravings met. Jesus fed the 5000 and they chased him around the lake, wanting more.

My belly, my cravings, my desires drive so much of how I move through the world.

Today I'm wrestling with the question, “Am I learning to be content or am I being overtaken by my cravings?”

— Discuss...

—

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November 10, 2023

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:12:45 -0400

Psalm 78:1-8, The Message

“We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation— GOD’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done.“

This theme of passing things along to the next generation has been running through a lot of my reading lately. I wrote about it a bit on November 6 and the need to be intentional with relationships.

Today, I'm struck by this idea of passing along the stories of “the marvelous things he has done.”

It reminds me of a conversation that I had with my son a few years ago. He asked, “Dad, how do you do it?”

“How do I do what?”

“You coming alongside people in some of the hardest things in their life. How do you keep believing in God?”

“That's a really good question. I think what happens is that every time I walk through one of those seasons of life with people I learn something new and I learn something that I also need to let go of. But, I bring with me the things that I've learned in the past about God too. Nothing happens in a vacuum. So, I have this whole history with God that I bring with me and that history teaches me how to hold on in the midst of the hurt.”

“Oh. That's deep.”

“I'm a well.”

“Huh?”

“You'll get it some day.”

As I meditate on this verse today I am reminded how important it is to share with our children the stories of where we have seen God care for us and provide for us. The stories of God's faithfulness in the midst of our struggles.

It's the struggle that makes the provision beautiful.

The question I'm thinking about today is, “Do I remember how God has cared for, provided for, and done marvelous works in my life?”

— Discuss...

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How Do You Read the Bible?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:57:57 -0400

What if meditation was the key to reading the Bible?

I was in high school and attending something called a Summer Institute at Eastern Michigan University. Rising high school seniors could attend the institute in a number of disciplines. I attended this two week experience for music. It was an amazing couple of weeks and I met some really fun people.

It was at this Summer Institute that I was first exposed to meditation. We sat on yoga mats and were told to clear our minds. Then we focused on breathing. It wasn't long before most of us were asleep, myself included. I didn't really get the whole meditation thing.

Over my years in ministry I have come to love Eugene Peterson. The translation of the Bible that he lead, The Message, has been salve to my weary soul. His books have inspired and challenged me to know end. He is, in so many ways my spiritual mentor. I want to be a pastor the way he was. I want to love well and write and preach and care for my neighbors.

As I was reading his beautiful little text, Eat This Book, I was shocked by the discovery that he was in many ways primarily writing a book about meditation. Eat This Book is a book about spiritual reading. The primary question that Peterson wrestles with is this, “How do we read the Bible?”

Many of us read the Bible as though it is a rule book or an encyclopedia. We mine it for information that we can then use. The thing is, that's not what the Bible is. The Bible isn't a textbook or a set of rules or a history text. No, the Bible is the collection of people's interactions with the Divine.

Does the Bible have rules? Yes. Does the Bible have information? Yes. Does the Bible have history? Yes.

But, the Bible is not really any of those things. It is qualitatively different. It is a collection of stories that are all used to tell one story. This is a magnificent story about a God whose engages people with “love-in-action”. So many other god stories are about capricious gods seeking to win the affection of their adherents. It's hard to tell the difference in those stories between the gods and the people. The stories of this God are similar but different. What I find different is that they are stories of a God who takes the initiative through love-in-action, ultimately becoming like the very ones God seeks to save.

As I was saying, Peterson is writing about how to read the Bible focuses his attention on meditation. This punched me between the eyes because ever since that day at EMU I have never been a fan of meditation. It always seemed to be nothing more than a good excuse to have a nap. (Now that I think about it, perhaps I should have leaned into it sooner!)

Peterson writes, “Meditation is the primary way in which we guard against the fragmentation of our Scripture reading into isolated oracles. Meditation enters into the coherent universe of God's revelation. Meditation is the prayerful employ of imagination in order to become friends with the text. It must not be confused with fancy or fantasy.”

Why does he write this?

He writes this because meditation of the Scripture breaks us free from our approach to it as a rule book or encyclopedia or history text. When we study it, we break it down into atomistic pieces and as a result can fragment the text beyond recognition. This, I think, is one of the reasons that we have seen such a spiritual degradation in our American evangelical context. We read certain verses in isolation from one another in such a way that we think they exist in a vacuum. But, the verses of the Bible exist in an organic connection to one another. We need to let them into our lives.

As Peterson writes, we need the Scriptures to become our friends.

You don't befriend a person by learning all their key facts.

Know, you befriend a person by being with them. You get to know them beyond their bare details.

Have you ever been to a bad funeral? I have. Bad funerals are the worst. A bad funeral is one where the officiant clearly doesn't know the person who has died. They simply relate some facts about the person and then read a few Bible verses and that's that.

I've also been to some really good funerals. These are funerals where those who speak knew the person. They tell stories and often there is laughter. But, they also communicate to those there what was most important to the person who passed away. These funerals are the good because there is a depth of friendship that permeates the whole experience.

Meditation on Scripture is the act of getting to know the text.

You read it. You meditate on it. You ponder it. You wrestle with it. You let your imagination run with it.

The primary Hebrew word in the Old Testament that we translate as “meditate,” is hagah. It carries the idea of murmuring, pondering, imagining. It can also have this idea of “make like” or “to compare.” It's interesting to consider these latter ideas.

When we meditate on the Scripture and we allow our holy imagination to become engaged perhaps it brings us to a place where we might be able to begin making this world like the kingdom of God? Perhaps we bring a little heaven on earth if we spent more time meditating on the Scriptures?

As I learn more about the practice of meditating on the Scripture I find that it shapes my view of the world. I become more hopeful. I become less cynical. More and more I see the world through a lens of grace and mercy and love.

Perhaps if pondered this text more and studied it a little less, we would become more loving?

May we ponder together this beautiful story of the loving-in-action God!

— Discuss...

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November 9, 2023

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 11:42:00 -0400

Psalm 70

“Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate.”

Throughout my life of faith the hardest thing for me has always been the reality that I can not experience God with my senses. You would think that this would create in me a lack of belief, yet it has not. Why? Because I think I see all around me the effects of God.

I guess it's like that truism, “I can't see the wind but I can feel it's effect.”

I think about this a lot. How can I believe when I can not see?

Some would say, “This is where faith comes in.” I suppose that's true. But, it is not very satisfying.

As I read this psalm today this line, “Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate,” really grabbed my attention. I've been thinking about it all morning.

There is something called the Baarder-Meinhoff phenomenon. This is what we call that phenomenon that happens when you start noticing things that you never saw before. For instance, you buy a yellow car and all of a sudden you being “seeing” yellow cars all over the place. Were they never there before? Of course they were. But, for some reason you just didn't notice them. Now, you do.

In a very real sense, what you seek to see you will find.

I see God in so many things. I see God in God's creation. I see God through the creative process. I see God in technology and science and medicine.

Where I see God the most is in the self-sacrificial loving-kindness of people. I look around and am amazed by the way people love. So many, I'd say the vast majority of people that I know love so well. Sure, there are people that I experience as unkind, yet I also see them love other people well.

As I look for God and see God in the people around me it causes me to rejoice.

What I'm pondering today is, “Am I looking for God?”

— Discuss...

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November 8, 2023

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:38:19 -0400

Matthew 15:1-9

“Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands?”

I am sure that someone with religious authority would never, and I mean never, create rules to “play and fast loose with God's commands.”

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is happens all the time.

If I'm really honest with myself I know that I have done this. I have used my authority as a religious leader to make rules so as to get people to do what I want them to do or to manipulate a situation for my benefit.

It's gross. I have elsewhere written about this. I have sought forgiveness from those people to whom I have done this and now I am hyper aware to ensure that I don't do this. It's one of the reasons that I don't post a lot about politics directly or specifically. When it comes to those things they are just my opinions and opinions are like arm pits, hairy, stinky, and you have two.

I think that those of us with religious authority are constantly at danger to do this very thing. We can create “interpretations” of Scripture to use it as we will. I see this in relation to morality and politics most often. What's really fascinating is when religious leaders do this to avoid many statements made by Jesus.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Love your enemy.” “Pray for those who persecute.”

The list could go on.

We do a lot of work to explain those away or to make it so that “love” looks like us being in control or getting our way. Yet, this is not the way of love. The way of love calls for self-sacrifice. It is a determined effort to want the best for the other.

Today I'm wrestling with this, “Am I living in such a way where love rules or that I love rules?”

— Discuss...

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November 7, 2023

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:25:00 -0400

Psalm 128

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.

I don't like the word, “obedience.” It makes me feel like God is some sort of task master. I do like the word, “blessed.” I like the idea that God is doing something special for me.

These double feelings are ones that I'm guessing I'm not alone in having. If we are really honest with ourselves we prefer “blessed” over “obedience.”

What am I supposed to do with my two sets of feelings?

Perhaps, I need to think about them a bit differently. What if blessed is related to obedience but not in the sense that blessed is a reward but as a state of being living an obedient life? Is that splitting hairs? Perhaps, but it resonates a bit with me.

Eugene Peterson in the Message translates this passage like this, “All you who fear GOD, how blessed you are! How happily you walk on his smooth straight road!”

Do you see the slight difference in how Peterson takes this from the NIV in the opening? He translates “obedience” as “happily you walk on his smooth straight road.” One might even say that as we walk on the way we experience blessing.

I want to live God's way. When I live God's way I am blessed. The blessing is not the result of obedience. The blessing is the reality, I experience this state of being through walking on God's smooth, straight road.

What I'm wrestling with today: “In whose way am I walking, mine or God's?”

— Discuss...

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November 6, 2023

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:40:43 -0400

Joshua 4:1-24

And then he told the People of Israel, “In the days to come, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What are these stones doing here?’ tell your children this: ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry ground.’

Maybe it is because I just spent significant time with my daughter at her college campus; perhaps it's seeing the little ones running around at missional community; but this story from Joshua 4 hit me particularly hard today.

This idea of passing along the stories of God to the generations to come is something so very beautiful.

Every Sunday I experience an extreme juxtaposition. In the morning I serve a congregation that is predominantly comprised of men and women who are older than I am. In the evening I serve a congregation of people who are younger or the same age as I am. Some of the younger families have little children. This stark contrast each week is something that is beginning to leave a mark on me.

As I think about this passage in Joshua 4 it strikes me that older people of faith need to be around younger people of faith. They need to be able to tell the stories of God's faithful work in their lives.

Younger people of faith need to be around older people of faith. They need to hear the stories of God's faithfulness in generations past.

When we don't have the cross-generational conversations then we are in danger of forgetting God's faithfulness.

Throughout the story of the people of God we are told to remember. Often there are these moments where physical reminders are crafted to force the question. Of course to remember demands that we are intentional to hold on to the good and the beautiful things that God has done. We are to reminisce and share the stories otherwise they will get forgotten.

It is these stories of God's faithful past that help us hold on to hope in the midst of the difficult present that we inevitably find ourselves in.

The question I'm pondering today is this, “Am I intentional in my relationships with those older and younger so that through them I might embrace hope?”

— Discuss...

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November 2, 2023

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 11:47:29 -0400

Romans 2:17-29

“You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law.”

This passage in Romans is one that I think about often. I have come to the conclusion that for those of us Christians in the United States, particularly, should likely find our parallels with the Jewish people that Paul addresses more so than the Gentiles. Why? Because we are the people who have largely grown up with the Bible and religion and God-talk.

When I read myself as the religious person in Romans 2, I can almost hear the record scratch.

Over the years I have become an expert at God-talk. I read and study the Bible. I read and study theology. It is what I do. As a result, there is a constant temptation to simply God-wash anything I want.

Particularly in today's cultural milieu if I simply use the right words and phrases I could get away with just about anything.

Our Christian culture cares so much more about words than it does about the content of our character. I recently saw a quote from a famous pastor that said, in effect, all that matters is our words. Say the right words and how you live your life doesn't matter.

As I reflect today on my life I am struck by how flippantly I have used phrases that God-wash actions and ideas that I want to be true or OK.

Here's the question I'm meditating on today, “Is God's word changing me from the inside or am I using God's word to keep me from changing?”

— Discuss...

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Silence Is Scary

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:02:28 -0400

Entering into silence can spiritually form us

There's only a few sermons that I've heard that I remember. As I write that I want to make sure you understand what I'm not saying, I'm not saying that sermons are unimportant. I think they are very important. The sermons I remember are likely not sermons that someone else remembers. They are moments in time that God uses in the lives of people.

There was one sermon in particular that my friend, Doug, gave a number of years ago. He was talking about how noisy the world is and how quiet God's voice can be. All during the message he had an iPod playing very quietly and then at the end he had us all get quiet and all of a sudden you could hear the music.

This shook me.

I am a noisy person.

When I enter a space I do so loudly. In social settings you know where I'm at all times. It's not that I'm trying to be the center of attention, I'm just loud. My voice carries and so does my laugh.

It is not just my outward presence that is loud. My interior life is loud too. As I grew up I always had a TV on or music playing. When I sat down to do homework the TV had to be running. When I was in seminary I wrote and researched and studied in busy coffee shops, intentionally.

For most of my life I have not liked the quiet. When things get quiet my thoughts get loud. I am not necessarily a big fan of those thoughts all the time. It can be disconcerting for me to allow my thoughts to run rampant.

Silence is scary.

This past summer I took two nights to just get away for a silent retreat. I shut down my phone. I didn't listen to music (well, that's a whole story in and of itself). I did allow myself to listen to a baseball game while I ate dinner.

I was alone in a cabin.

I went hiking alone in the silence and solitude of nature.

Leading up to these two nights away I was in a state of high anxiety because I was worried about being silent and alone for those 48 hours. I had never been a lone, truly alone, for that length of time.

Silence is scary.

I wish I could say that I heard the audible voice of the divine during my retreat. I did not. I also wish I could say that there was some sort of profound awakening that I experienced. But, I did not.

What did happen is that I faced my fear of silence.

It took almost a solid 24 hours for my mind quiet down. To really and truly be able to focus my attention on something other than my own thoughts. When that happened it was the most remarkable thing.

My mind could finally focus.

I was reading in the book of Jeremiah and some other commentaries that I brought along with me. I devoured the text.

Even more interesting was during my time hiking I was meditating on the Lord's prayer a stanza at a time. As I did, in that silence, those lines came to life for me. I do not really know how to explain it, but it was like I had never experienced them before.

Ever since then, something has happened within me. I have begun to delight in silence.

In the mornings I awake around 6 am-ish and drink coffee in the quiet dark house. It's become my favorite part of the day. I used to have a compulsion to turn on SportsCenter or something else. But now, my day begins with about 90 minutes to 2 hours of almost total silence.

Silence isn't scary anymore.

Silence has become a gift.

It is in the silence where I am learning to meet God.

I suppose there's a reason that silence has been a significant part of spiritual formation for many in the Christian tradition. I need silence now like I need water to drink or air to breathe. I can tell when I haven't had enough silence. My mind runs and spins and sleep is hard to come by.

It is in the silence where freedom from the weight of the world is offered and received.

When was the last time you were silent? What's stopping you? What do you think might happen if you entered into silence?

— Discuss...

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November 1, 2023

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:52:32 -0400

Psalm 34:1-10, The Message

“Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and GOD got me out of a tight spot.”

When I'm going through something heavy or hard I often think, “Why am I feeling this way? Compared to what so many others are going through this is nothing.”

Often, when I feel like this, I will not pray because I don't want to burden God or in some sense I think that these feelings are not worthy to be brought to God.

One of the first things that I learned in my young Christian life was that feelings don't matter. They are nothing more than the caboose of a train that is driven by the fact of God's word and faith. This left me in a state where I was constantly trying to hide, stuff, or in so many other ways ignore my feelings.

That was so misguided. The idea that our feelings are nothing and they don't matter to God is such an unhelpful and unbiblical idea. This might be one of the most destructive things that I have had to undo as I have matured in my journey of faith.

I love this line, “Never hide your feelings from him.” God cares about our feelings. God can handle all our emotions, big and small.

As I ponder these verses it strikes me that the psalmist probably saw or experienced God's hand getting him out of a tight spot because he had brought all his feelings to God. By not hiding, the psalmist was open to seeing how God was at work in the world.

The question I am going to be wrestling with today is this, “Am I hiding my feelings or my internal life from God?”

— Discuss...

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October 31, 2023

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:02:02 -0400

James 2:14-18

“Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?”

I have a friend whose favorite saying is, “acta non verba,” this translates to “actions not words.” He's one of those people who will do anything for you. His actions clearly demonstrate that the words he uses have meaning.

Many of us are good talkers.

We know the right things to say. But what about our actions? How often do you promise to do something but then don't follow through?

I want to say that never happens to me, but it does. It probably occurs more often than I'd like to admit. Oh sure, I have a good “reason,” but the reality is that it's just an excuse.

It is really hard for me to admit that.

There's a really helpful book about the rise of the church in the Roman Empire entitled, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider. In it he writes about how the verb, “look,” was central to the practice of the early church. Kreider argues, convincingly I think, that we have lost this idea of a new way of living in the world.

Perhaps, we could sum up much of the modern church as a lot of God-talk and not much God-acts.

Perhaps, I could sum up much of my own life this way.

— Discuss...

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October 30, 2023

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 10:44:42 -0400

Psalm 119:41-48

“Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised...”

Last night we were talking about Paul's call to go to Jerusalem and how he understood his obedience to that call would result in seeing God work. One of the things that came out of conversation was this desire that we would have as clear a call as Paul did. How nice would it be to really know what our calling is?

The fact of the matter is that we do know what our calling is.

It's clear.

Our calling is to love our neighbor as our self.

At the most fundamental of levels this is our calling.

Then this morning I read this little passage with this opening line, “Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised...”

Oh what a prayer!

I'm wrestling this morning with this simple and profound thought, “How does my life look differently if God's love has shaped it?”

— Discuss...

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October 28, 2023

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:34:22 -0400

John 5:39-47

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”

As I continue to read and study the Bible I am more convinced than ever that much of what Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day are the things that I need to hear.

John 5:39-40 is case in point.

I study the Bible, religiously (teehee). It is, quite literally, part of my job description. But, am I missing the forest for the trees? Am I seeing the reality that everything is about Jesus?

More than that, am I willing to receive from Jesus the life I say I want?

Ouch.

That is a punch in the gut.

That hits a bit too close to home.

The life I say I want is one of love, grace, mercy, and joy. It's one that is marked by the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. It is one where the burdens of life are eased by being deeply connected to Christ.

Do I really want that?

Because when I'm real honest about myself it sure doesn't seem to be true. I am given over to easy anger, rage, and frustration. Stress and snark are hand in hand.

Jesus is in a way standing right here in front of me. Will I receive the life he is offering or will I continue to just hold on as tightly as I can to the life that I say I don't want?

The question I'm wrestling with today is, “Am I willing to receive from Jesus the life I say I want?”

— Discuss...

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October 27, 2023

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 19:59:01 -0400

Psalm 90:1-6

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”

This beautiful line is from Psalm 90:1. I grabbed my attention and I keep thinking about it. This concept of God being our dwelling place.

I too often think about God as someone far off or disconnected. Yet, here the Psalmist calls me to consider the reality that it is in God where we will dwell.

The dwelling place in the ancient world was important because it provided protection and security. In effect, the Psalmist is saying, “Lord, you have been our protection and security throughout all generations.

In my world, security and protection is something that I have to earn. It's not something that I consciously trust God to provide. Oh sure, the words will come out. But, at the end of the day I often think that security and protection is the result of my own effort.

I wonder if some of the rampant fear that is present in our world is the result of people no longer believing that God protects and secures? We need weapons and power and money to feel protected and secure these days.

But do we?

What if we set our minds and hearts on the God who is our dwelling place and has been throughout all generations?

The question I will be pondering tonight as I lay in bed is, “Do I trust that God will protect and provide for me?”

— Discuss...

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Prayer Doesn't Change God

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:08:17 -0400

Prayer is something so difficult for me to get my mind around. As I think about praying it raises so many, many questions.

If God is sovereign why pray? Why doesn't God answer my prayers? Why don't I hear God when I pray? What value is there to praying? Why did that person get healed and that one didn't? Why did that prayer have “results” and that one didn't? Does prayer do anything?

And so many, many more.

I often think of prayer in the context of utility. Quite simply, “does it work?”

—

As far as I can tell Jesus' closest followers only asked to be taught one thing, how to pray.

How did Jesus respond?

“He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” (Luke 11:2-4)

Short. Focused. To the point.

Elsewhere talking about prayer Jesus said,

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

What are we to make of these things?

—

Throughout the history of religious people prayer has always played a significant role. I remember in seminary reading about the desert fathers and mothers and how prayer was central. Or learning about the monastic movement and the important role of prayer for these people.

Every week I pray a “pastoral prayer” and a prayer of invocation and a prayer over the offering. I pray before I preach and after I preach. I pray before meals. I pray before I write. I pray before I spend time in the Scriptures. I prayer before I meet with people. I pray during my devotional times.

As I think about it, I pray quite a bit.

Yet, I wouldn't consider myself a pray-er.

—

My friend John, he was a pray-er. After he died his wife passed out index cards that he kept on hand that tracked what he was praying for for his friends.

Prayer was central to his spiritual life.

I know of many people for whom prayer is significant to their lives and spirituality.

My mentor, Bob, is a pray-er. He prays like his life depends on it. There is a qualitative difference between his prayer and my prayer.

I think I often pray as someone who has to pray as opposed to wanting to pray. I think this is because I can't quite figure out prayer. It doesn't fit my intellectual boxes.

Perhaps it's similar from the opening lines of Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller when he wrote, “I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve.”

—

He goes on to write, “But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.

After that I liked jazz music.

Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.”

When I see people like Bob or John pray, I want to love prayer the way they do. These guys have and do show me the way.

Yet, I struggle.

—

I have found lately that simply praying the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples has helped me. Often I will find myself meditating on the words. Or the words will just come into my mind as I drive or walk.

When this happens I feel something in me.

I feel a connection to the divine. It's faint. But it's there.

I am coming to grips with an idea that I first heard about in the film Shadowlands. It's a film about C.S. Lewis and his relationship with his wife, Joy. Near the end of the film there is this line, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God- it changes me.”

The idea that I'm coming to grips with is this: I'm helpless.

That's not easy for me.

I think of myself as strong. I think of myself as someone who rarely needs anything. Yet, if I am honest, truly honest, I am helpless.

—

“Prayer doesn't change God—it changes me.”

As I continue to learn to pray, I am learning that this ethereal, surreal, intangible practice of seeking to be in the presence of the divine changes me.

It's not a utilitarian practice. It's something deeper than that. It's experiential.

I long to be able to speak that line from the film and mean it. I long to pray because the need flows out of me all the time – waking and sleeping.

—

Perhaps, as I grow in my desperation to desire to pray I will someday learn to pray.

— Discuss...

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October 26, 2023

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:00:53 -0400

Jeremiah 3

“I'm committed in love to you.”

I'm really grateful that my kids and I have never had a falling out. I can't really imagine the pain that would cause. Being estranged from my children is probably my greatest fear. I don't even want to think about it.

As a pastor, I have spent a lot of time talking through things with people who are estranged from their children or parents. The heartache of those broken relationships is indescribable. It is really trendy these days to talk about how your parents and sibilings are people you don't need in your life, yet nobody really means it. When our relationships with parent, children, or siblings are broken it is devastating. Some times those relationships need to be broken because of abuse, and while healthy, it is no less devastating.

That's the thing.

When it comes to these relationships, that are the closest to us and most intimate, the breaking of them, even when it is necessary, leaves a wound that is not easily healed.

—

As I read through Jeremiah 3 this morning it struck me that the imagery that is used is one of a Father and children who have been estranged. There is a clear desire on both of their parts to reunite. Yet, the wound is so severe that there seems to be little hope.

This line, “I'm committed in love to you,” is a beacon of hope in an otherwise painful and horrific passage of Scripture.

There is no desire on God's part to punish. The desire is for restoration. The desire is for healing.

Why?

Because God is committed in love.

There's a section in verse 19 where God talks about how God has planned what God would say if the people came back. It demonstrates this desire for re-connection.

If my children and I were estranged, I think that I would feel exactly the same way.

—

The question I'm wrestling with today is this, “How does it make me feel to know that God is committed in love to me?”

— Discuss...

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October 25, 2023

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:10:59 -0400

Jeremiah 2:29-37

“Day after day after day they never give me a thought.”

Typically when our family starts out on a road trip we say a prayer. We pray that God would get us to where we are going safely. We genuinely pray. We are earnest. There is a desire on our part to entrust the drive to God and we want to arrive safely.

As far as I can tell God has answered every one of these prayers by getting us to and fro safely.

I can only think of twice when we thanked God for getting us there safely. Both times were when we experienced really bad weather. The times that the trips were uneventful, I don't think we acknowledged God's hand at all.

—

When we are going through difficult seasons we often wonder, “where is God?” One of the writers of the psalms cries out to God asking God to “wake up!” When things are going bad we think about God all the time.

It's odd, when things are going pretty well we don't think about God much at all.

—

In Jeremiah 2:29-37 God calls out the people for not ever giving God a thought.

I find that strange because the people were practicing Temple worship. They were making sacrifices and celebrating the feasts. They were hearing the scrolls read. God-talk was everywhere and all the time.

Yet, God says, that they never thought about God.

As a pastor I use a lot of God-talk, all the time. I read the Scriptures. I pray the prayers. I preach the sermons.

But do I think about God?

Perhaps what God is saying here is not some sort of intellectual exercise regarding God but is talking about the way that I think about those people in my life whom I love.

I think about my wife and kids a lot. I wonder what they're doing right now? Are they having fun? What kinds of conversations are they having? I am *intrigued by the lives of those I love.

The question I'm wrestling with today is, “Am I intrigued by the life of God?”

— Discuss...

—

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October 24, 2023

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:29:24 -0400

Jeremiah 2:20-28

“How do you account for what is written in the desert dust...”

I had a dentist appointment yesterday. I despise going to the dentist. Every time they take my blood pressure and every time it's just above normal. They always ask if that's normal. My response, “only when I'm here.”

As a child my experience with the dentist was not very good. I suppose that's true of just about every Gen X kid. Our dentists were more akin to the dentist played by Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors than they were some kind person. So, I'm pretty sure that I have some deep-seated embodied dentist trauma that shows itself in my blood pressure at that god-forsaken place.

Whenever you go to the dentist they ask, “Are your teeth bothering you? Are you brushing? Are you flossing?”

I answer honestly, “No, they are fine. Yes I brush. I try to floss regularly but it's a habit I haven't developed yet.”

This time the dentist said, “Well, at least you're honest. You'd be surprised how many people try to lie about it.”

There's no point in lying about flossing. You can't hide whether or not you're doing it. The evidence is clear as the teeth in your mouth.

—

It strikes me this morning that the same is true in our relationship with God. This passage from Jeremiah is a hard read. The people of God are being chastised for following after the fertility deities of other nations. The language is, let's say, discomforting, at best.

Yet, there's this line, “How do you account for what is written in the desert dust...”

The people tried to lie about their pursuit of these foreign Gods but God says that there's no point because the evidence is written in the dust. Their tracks to and fro are obvious.

—

Our lives demonstrate what we are most focused on. We can hide or fake for a time but soon enough the truth will come out. Eventually everyone will see our tracks in the desert dust.

I'm wrestling with this question today, “What tracks am I leaving in the desert dust?”

— Discuss...

—

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October 23, 2023

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:08:38 -0400

Jeremiah 2:4-19

“But my people have traded my Glory for empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.”

It was the late nineties and I was working hard at raising support to join the staff of a campus ministry. This particular man that I was connecting with took me to a gathering of people from his church to introduce me to them. As we were driving he was explaining to me that the day of small churches was over. He said that little churches would soon be swallowed up by the biggest churches in the area because the large churches had power and resources that small churches could only dream about.

It's more than twenty years later and it turns out that his prediction was wrong.

For a while, I thought that he was perhaps correct. But, then the mega-church paradigm began to implode. Scandal after scandal. Pastor after pastor has fallen.

Small churches are not immune from this either.

As I read about colleagues falling and ministries breaking down it appears to me that there is a common thread. Jeremiah might call it “empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.”

The American church has entangled itself with power and consumerism. In so doing it has sold its soul, in a sense, to a modern day Baal.

As a pastor there is a constant and never ending pull towards bigger and better. I feel it in my soul. It's an illness.

But then I read about what has happened in the past when the people of God have sold their souls for empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes and I am reminded that I don't need to trust anything else. I can rest in the goodness of God. As Paul says in his farewell to the Ephesian Elders God is incredibly and extravagantly generous.

The question I will be meditating on today is this, “Will I scheme for success or will I rest in God's grace?”

— Discuss...

—

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October 20, 2023

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:34:29 -0400

Jeremiah 2:1-3

“I remember your youthful loyalty, our love as newlyweds.”

We road trip pretty much everywhere. Mostly because we like having our car available to us wherever it is we go. But, also because we are pretty cheap and renting a car is ridiculously expensive.

There is a pattern to our long road trips. We begin with great enthusiasm. There are abundant snacks, everyone is fresh, and everyone is excited to get to where we are going. About two hours in it gets quiet. Then at about four hours the grumbling begins from the driver's seat. Then legs start getting stiff. The snacks don't sound good. Everyone is bored. Everyone is beginning to think, “Flying would have been better.”

But, then we get to the destination!

When we arrive the joy is palpable! Not only to get out of the car but the hope for fun and relaxation.

I think that the spiritual journey is similar. When we get started in our spiritual lives there is joy and exuberance. It's almost like being a newlywed.

But, like any journey it gets long and difficult.

The fun wears out. It's not exciting any longer. It's just a long slog. There's no end in sight.

What do we do? How do we respond? Will we stick to God?

The question that I'm going to be pondering today, “What do I need to do to continually find refreshment in my spiritual journey?”

— Discuss...

—

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October 19, 2023

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:02:17 -0400

Jeremiah 1:11-19

“And God said, 'Good eyes! I'm sticking with you...'”

This passage is not what I would call comforting. God is telling Jeremiah what his message is going to be and that he needs to stand firm in speaking this message. The message is going to be hard. This is part of the pulling up and tearing down that was described to him earlier in his conversation with God.

I have to imagine that Jeremiah probably felt his stomach hurt a little bit.

As I was thinking about this passage memories of difficult conversations ran through my head. Conversations that I knew I needed to have but sure didn't want to have. I always get really nervous before those meetings. I can feel it in my body. My heart beats a little faster, my palms sweat a bit, it's a palpable anxiety.

I can't even begin to imagine the feeling that Jeremiah must have had.

But, then he hears from God, “I'm sticking with you.”

This idea of the God-With-Me-God is pervasive throughout Jeremiah's story and it starts right here.

God-With-Me-God, I think has to be one of the most encouraging ideas to come out of the story of the Bible.

When Jesus enters the scene he is called, Emmanuel, God-with-us.

As I consider the differences between the Old and New Testaments that is one of the significant shifts that I notice, the move from me to us after God-With. The story of the Old Testament is marked by an understanding of the God-With-Me-God and the story of the New Testament is marked by an understanding of the God-With-Us-God. God is not different. But in the New Testament we begin to understand that God is most fully known in community.

I am pondering this question today, “Do I believe that as I draw near to others, I am in effect, drawing near to God?”

— Discuss...

—

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How Do You Read the Bible?

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:28:26 -0400

A simple practice to help you grow in your faith.

When you open the Bible do you feel intimidated? I know I do.

You read that right, the professional Christian with a graduate degree that included the study of both Hebrew and Greek is intimidated by the Bible.

How can that be?

It's simple really. I have seen the Bible used to cause great harm. I am sure that in my years of ministry that I have caused great harm with my interpretations of the Bible. Every single day I see the Bible used and abused as a tool that hurts others. I desperately want to avoid doing that. I also find many parts of the Bible confusing and hard to understand. That's part of the reason that I loved pursuing my divinity degree. This gave me loads of tools to get behind the text of the Bible to try and untangle the sticky wickets of the text. I also get to spend inordinate amounts of time reading research about the Bible, which I find really helpful.

If I'm intimidated, I can only imagine the level of intimidation that many of you might experience. This is particularly true if we take the Bible seriously.

Most people can't pursue an advanced degree, nor do they need to.

—

For the vast majority of the history of Christianity people didn't even have personal access to a Bible text. They heard it in bits and pieces shared in the communal setting of the gatherings of believers. When we experience the Bible this way, there will be certain things that stick in our minds because they resonate with us. Other things will not be remembered.

It really wasn't until the creation fo the printing press that the idea of a personal Bible even became feasible.

Now, we find copies of the Bible in drawers of hotel night stands. I'd guess most homes have at least one Bible, even if it's just gathering dust.

—

There's nothing particular special about the Bible, per se.

It's a book.

It's not magical.

It's a collection of writings of Hebrew and early Christian believers.

It is beautiful, ugly, challenging, and inspirational.

In particular, it gives us insight into the life of Jesus. Jesus, the one after whom many of us are trying to pattern our lives. Because of this, the Bible is important to our spiritual lives.

—

So, how can we engage with this intimidating text?

Over the long history of the Christian faith there was a manner of reading that became known as “lectio divina” or “divine reading.”

That seems a bit intimidating too. Or at least a bit mystically creepy.

Over the last few years, after reading Eugene Peterson's book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, I have become convinced that this kind of reading is fundamental to our spiritual lives. I really like the idea of “Spiritual Reading.” I think it is a helpful re-framing for what we need when it comes to approaching the Bible.

This is not studying. This is something altogether different.

Peterson uses the metaphor of a dog with a bone. He compares spiritual reading to the way a dog takes a bone and just enjoys it. Turning over and around and savoring it.

What if we approached the Bible to savor it and turn it over and around? What if, in some sense, we let the Bible read us? What if we sought to intentionally engage the Bible with a sense of wonder and meditation?

—

Peterson describes the process as stop, read, ponder, pray, reflect, live.

When I sit down to practice my reading of Scripture this is the process that I use.

Stop: Before beginning I pray and ask God to meet me through the reading of the Scripture.

Read: I read and re-read the passage that I'm engaging with. So, it's not typically very long.

Ponder: I reflect and think or meditate on the things that “jumped” off the page to me. Why did they jump out to me? How did they make me feel? What do I like? What don't I like?

Pray: Often the time of pondering or meditation leads me to prayer. This is a time when I am responding to what I think God might be communicating through the text. Many times, I just stop and am quiet and allow the text to run around in my head and spirit.

Reflect: Meditating more on what is being surfaced in me. Typically this is ends up being a question that I am going to continue meditate on throughout the day or until the next time I read the Scriptures.

Live: I want to be attentive to how this needs to play out in my day to day life. How do I move forward by applying this to my life?

—

This process has been helpful for me. It has made the Bible less intimidating because I have a plan of how enter into the reading of the Scriptures. It moves it from an intellectual exercise into something of the heart and the spirit.

I would encourage you to give this a try. Perhaps with Psalm 19 or Matthew 5:1-12.

What do you think? Does this sound doable? Do you think this might be helpful to you?

— Discuss...

—

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October 18, 2023

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:03:39 -0400

Jeremiah 1:1-10

“Your job is to pull up and tear down, take apart and demolish, and then start over, building and planting.”

Jeremiah was given a task that nobody wanted. He was called to speak to the people and let them know about the judgment that was coming. There is no wonder that he is known as the weeping prophet.

I look around our day and age and see a lot of would-be Jeremiahs. It seems that many of us think that we have been called to judge and deliver news of exile to people.

It's so easy to pull up. It's so easy to tear down. It's so easy to take apart. It's so easy to demolish.

The negative is easy. All we need is a bit of power and then we can destroy. Destruction becomes addictive. Why? Because we will inevitably find people who rally to us and help us destroy.

Some people just love to watch the world burn.

It's much more difficult to embrace the second half of what Jeremiah was called to, that is, starting over.

I think that's where the weeping comes from.

Starting over, building, and planting demands a holy imagination and a faith to believe that this thing that is begun will find completion. Typically, we don't get to see the fruit.

I am convicted this morning of being too easily caught up in tearing down and not focused enough on the rebuilding.

I am going to be asking myself this question today: “Am I focusing on what is wrong or on what can be done?”

— Discuss...

—

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The Journey – Perseverance Over Perfection

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:42:38 -0400

What if we valued perseverance over being perfect?

Sophia was walking through the forest with her friend Avil. As they were walking and talking she stubbed her toe on a root that had broken through the path. She stumbled and exclaimed her shock and surprise. She regained her footing and they continued walking.

A little bit later, Avil stubbed his toe as well. He cried out and then found another root and stubbed his other toe. When he did, he tripped and skinned his knee. He was distraught and threw himself down the side of a hill where he broke his leg. As rolled down the hill he also skinned his knee. So, he took a rock and broke his other arm.

It didn’t take long before Sophia realized that the walk was over.

—

This parable is ridiculous! Avil (the Hebrew word for fool) is beyond foolish. Nobody would ever stub their toe and then go on to break their leg. Not to mention all the other ridiculous responses he made. Most of us likely see ourselves in Sophia, she stubs her toe and then continues on. That just makes sense, right?

Here’s the crazy thing, if I’m honest, Avil is a reflection of me.

Over the years I’ve tried all kinds of things to lose weight and to pursue physical health.

Without fail, I’ve fallen short of my “plan.” When I did, I would throw my hands up and say, “Well, I blew it. Might as well enjoy it!” So what would I do? I’d get the famous number two from McDonald’s, (two cheeseburgers, large fry, and a Coke) or I’d get a large pizza. I mean, why not? I have messed up the diet anyway.

You see, when it came to pursuing physical health my mindset has been, “perfection or nothing.” If I couldn’t be perfect, I might as well just indulge.

There was no in between.

All or nothing.

I can trace this all or nothing approach through my pursuit of emotional health, spiritual health, and relational health too.

Health has always been a goal, a pursuit, something that I sought to attain. So, if I wasn’t perfect then I was a failure. If I failed, then why press on?

I was all about perfection over perseverance.

—

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. (Philippians 3:12-14, The Message)”

Paul was someone who was aware of the reality that life isn’t a zero sum game. Inherent in what he writes here is the reality that life is a process. Becoming mature in his faith was not something that he was necessarily going to succeed at. It was a journey that he was on.

Notice also, that there was failure baked into what Paul said. Paul seems to be saying, “I fail too! I fall short too! But I press on!”

Perseverance is more important than perfection.

—

I will never be perfect. I will never have a perfect streak of eating well or exercising or being a good friend or being emotionally fit. But, instead of quitting I need to embrace the way of Sophia and recover my footing and keep hiking.

Something that I think that has been an important lesson is to learn the subtle shift from thinking about health to thinking about fitness.

Mental fitness.
Physical fitness.
Spiritual fitness.
Emotional fitness.
Relational fitness.

Fitness doesn’t have an end. It’s a goal to strive toward but you never really attain it. You never arrive at the end of fitness. So, you keep on pressing on. Straining toward the goal.

No turning back!

If the journey is the goal and the goal is the journey then all we really have is perseverance.

Perfection is not something that we will ever find. If not being perfect derails the journey then I will never be able to move forward.

Because I am on a journey that has no end there is only the option of pressing on. Getting a little better each day. Even when there’s a step backward it’s not the end. I can regain my footing like Sophia and keep walking.

Perseverance over perfection.

The Journey – The Unseen

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:41:47 -0400

What do we do when the goal is unseen?

It was Thanksgiving and we were heading to my brother Jay’s home outside Baltimore, Maryland. We were excited to spend time with his family and celebrate together. As we drove the weather grew worse and worse.

The snow and sleet were becoming overwhelming. Cars were pulling off and sliding off the road at an alarming rate. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than I knew I could. White knuckling was an understatement. I grew more and more tired. Tensions were rising in the car. I knew that Amy wouldn’t be comfortable getting behind the wheel and so I drove on.

This journey was not going well.

I desperately wanted to stop and sleep. Amy was desperately trying to find a hotel room.

The “good” hotels were all booked up with other travelers hiding from the storm.

We drove on.

We made it to Jay’s house.

Had we known how the journey would have played out, we might not have left. But, the hope of the joy of seeing my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and mom was more than enough to keep us going.

We couldn’t see, quite literally, our destination, yet there was hope of the joyful reunion that kept us going. The perseverance paid off! The joy was made that much more sweeter after the difficulty of the journey.

—

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, The Message)”

—

At the beginning of any journey you can’t see the end. You can try to picture it in your mind’s eye but you don’t see it. You have to start out and just go. You hope that the going will be smooth and easy. You hope that there will not be any bad weather or traffic jams or delayed flights. But, at the end of the day, you just don’t know what the journey will be like nor can you see the destination.

Every journey demands faith.

Paul Tillich wrote, “Faith is an act of a finite being who is grasped by, and turned to, the infinite.”

I’m realizing that this is exactly what has been at the center of my journey toward fitness. It is a journey of the finite being grasped by the infinite.

You see, there’s no end to the pursuit of fitness. It’s an ongoing journey with various stops along the way.

—

I am struck by something that the Apostle Paul says in that quote from 2 Corinthians, “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

As I consider what is going on in my fitness journey, this really is the heart of the matter. It’s not about a particular number on the scale or the size of my waist. No, those things are here today and gone tomorrow. It’s truly about the pursuit of fitness. A pursuit of something that will last forever.

Being strong, feeling good, having energy, loving well. These are the things that the journey brings about.

So I journey on.

I am believing by faith that the journey will help me become fully myself.

We can’t truly see the end when we begin, but stepping out in faith on the journey opens the door to joy.

The Journey – The Crew

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:38:18 -0400

We aren’t made to walk the path alone.

I began my journey toward physical fitness with a commitment to walk fifteen minutes per day. My thinking was that I could do anything for fifteen minutes. I was right. Rarely did I walk for less than twenty minutes. Almost always, I walked at least thirty.

I had, in my excitement over such a plan, decided to invite some close friends to hold me accountable. My walk needed to be done by 10 pm or they were free to give me all the grief!

At some point in my walking, I pulled a muscle. I could barely walk. But, I persevered. I can do anything for fifteen minutes.

During that time, it was all I could do to walk around the block. I had a dip in the hip but absolutely no glide in the stride. One evening, I had decided that after mowing the lawn I had had enough for the day.

I then made a fatal mistake. I told my close friends that I was counting the mowing as my walk.

In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, “Big mistake, huge, BIG!”

“You made a commitment to walk. Your commitment was not to mow.”

I raged.
I argued.
I walked.

Never in my life had I been actually held accountable to anything.

These friends loved me enough to hold me accountable to the commitment I had made. I really didn’t like them when they did. Yet, they held their ground and pushed me to walk. They wanted me to succeed. In that moment they wanted me to hold to my commitment more than I did.

I walked!

—

There is a passage in the ancient text that goes like this,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)”

This is written right after the writer lists out a number of people who had lived and died in faith. They were the “who’s who” of the Old Testament. These people persevered in their faith and made up the “great cloud of witnesses,” along with countless others.

It is interesting to me that when he writes about persevering through the race he sets the call in the context of a “great cloud of witnesses.”

The community of faith, the cloud of witnesses, were the context from which the author calls people to press on and persevere.

—

We are not made to be alone. It is not good for us to be alone. We need community. We need a cloud of witnesses.

In my pursuit of fitness (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational) I have become keenly aware of my need for a cloud of witnesses. This cloud of witnesses I call my “crew.” These are the people that I have learned to trust with all of who I am. I have invited them into my life and given them the go ahead to hold me accountable.

When I don’t want to persevere, I reach out to these people and they encourage me to walk on.

A community of people who are truly involved in your life will eventually make you very angry because they will not let you get away with quitting. To quit, to stop walking, is the one thing that is unacceptable to them. This crew of mine reminds me of my commitments, to be sure, but more than that, they remind me of who I am and who I want to be.

My identity is not shaped in isolation. It is shaped in community. My crew reminds me of who I am and these reminders give me the hope to carry on.

The journey towards fitness necessitates a crew of people who walk with you.

Who is your crew? Will they ensure that you walk on?

—

*And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage that you can bring
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can’t leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it’s a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can’t steal it
No, they can’t even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight* – U2

The Journey – Start With “Why?”

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:35:38 -0400

Answering one question can start the journey.

I recently shared a before and after picture one year apart on my social feeds. It sparked congratulations and a lot of kind words. Over the last eighteen months I have lost over 100 lbs. My entire body has changed. I see old pictures and it doesn’t even seem like I’m the same person.

Do you want to know something interesting? When I look in the mirror I don’t really see much change at all. I will catch myself walking past a mirror and think, “wow! I’ve changed!” Then as I continue to look at myself I can almost see my body transform back to the “old me” in the mirror.

It’s weird.

Many of the comments and conversations I have around this journey are about how hard it must be to be on a diet and how hard it is to exercise regularly. Folks are impressed by the consistency and perseverance. Often people want the “playbook.” They want the nuts and bolts about how I got here. I gladly share it with them, but more times than not, their eyes glass over.

The thing is, this really is a journey. It’s my own personal hero journey. There are ups and downs. There are obstacles and pitfalls. There have been big successes and some big failures too.

A number of years ago after my second child, Libby, was born I lost a lot of weight. I wanted to to do it for “the kids.” Life was pretty easy and I dropped the weight.

A few years later, life got stressful. I gained all the weight back and kept it on for almost twenty years.

There were diets here and there and I lost some weight and I gained it back.

But, then something changed.

—

Over the last ten years I have become obsessed with trying to wrap my head and heart around two ideas. These two ideas are things that I come back to over and over again. I feel like they are all I talk about and think about.

Love and grace.

I suppose it shouldn’t be all that surprising that a pastor thinks about love and grace (well, these days with the state of American Christianity perhaps it is). For the longest time I was more interested in truth and righteousness.

I wanted to be right. I knew I had the truth. More than anything I wanted people to embrace the truth and see that I was right so that they would be able to know what I knew. You could say, I was a bit of tool, and you’d be right. I was arrogant and self-consumed. I was not all that kind.

In the background of all that there was a nagging question, “What’s so amazing about grace?” It had been posited to me by my friend and mentor, Bob. This question just floated around in the background like a little soundtrack that I tried to ignore.

Over the last ten years that question wouldn’t remain in the background. It exploded into the foreground and with it came the question, “What is unconditional love?”

—

“What does any of this have to do with a journey toward losing weight?”

Great question.

In some ways it doesn’t have anything to do with it and at the same time it has everything to do with it.

My journey hasn’t been a journey of weight loss. My journey, my hero journey, has been a journey of health. Physical health is but one aspect. And, it’s almost the least important aspect of the journey! It’s a consequence of a pursuit of love and grace. As I pursued these things I started becoming more aware of my need to be a healthy person. This meant a healthy spirituality, healthy emotionally, and healthy relationally along with the physical.

I titled this, Start with “Why?”, because when I finally got rolling on my journey it was when I had finally come to the realization that I loved me.

I loved me enough to exercise.
I loved me enough to change my eating habits.
I loved me enough to be intentional about relationships.
I loved me enough to doggedly pursue my spiritual life.

As I set out on this journey eighteen months ago it was not for my wife or for my children. It was not to get healthy.

I took the first step on the journey because I had finally come to the place where I loved me.

—

I had to confront my lack of love for myself.

Jesus said, “Love your neighbors as yourself”. It struck me that love of neighbor was limited by my ability to love myself. How I treated myself was in some way a reflection of how I loved my neighbor. I was becoming obsessed with the idea of “loving well”, which for me is the incorporation of love and grace. But, to really do that, to truly and thoroughly love well, I had to love me.

I’m convinced that the first step in the journey toward health has to start with, “Why?”

I am also convinced that if the why doesn’t include “because I love me” then the journey is likely derailed from the beginning. The journey toward health (spiritual, relational, emotional, physical) is the hardest thing that I’ve entered into. If it wasn’t rooted in love, I don’t think I would have continued.

Because the journey is rooted in love, grace is always nipping at the heels. Grace frees me from legalism. Grace in the midst of perseverance opens the door to stumble and fall and get back up knowing that I’m still embraced and accepted.

—

“How did you do it?”

Love and grace my friend, love and grace.

The Journey – Who Am I?

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:47:20 -0400

A couple of years ago I read a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear. He tells the story of a friend who went on a weight loss journey. To begin this journey his friend started a habit of going to the gym. At this point you might be thinking, “Well, of course he did.” But here’s the kicker, he never went in. Every day he drove to the gym and parked in the parking lot.

What a strange thing to do, I thought. It surely didn’t make any sense to me when I initially read it. I stopped and pondered why would he do something so strange before continuing to read. I wanted to try and figure it out. For the life of me, I couldn’t. It just didn’t make any sense.

Eventually, as you would expect, his friend began going into the gym. But, he didn’t work out. He just went in. Then, he started exercising but only did one set of one movement. Then he left. But, then he started working out regularly and changed his physical state of health.

What was happening in this story?

This man was changing his identity.

When he started his journey he was not someone who exercised. To become someone who exercised he needed to become someone who went to the gym. He wasn’t that guy either. He had to become a person who went tot he gym before he could become a person who exercised. So, at the most basic of levels he became a person who went to the gym.

This story deeply resonated with me.

I had begun figuring out my why. I was beginning to learn what it meant to love me. But, there was a second question that I needed to wrestle with, “Who am I?”

What kind of person am I?

I began to work through a series of “I am…” statements related to health.

I am a spiritually healthy person. What does this mean? What does a spiritually healthy person look like? What kinds of practices does a spiritually healthy person have in their lives?

I am a relationally healthy person. What does a relationally healthy person look like? What kinds of relationships do they have? How do they orient their time? What kinds of boundaries does this person have?

I am an emotionally healthy person. What does this look like? How do I lean into working on emotional health? Are there signs of not being emotionally healthy that need to be addressed?

I am a physically healthy person. What kind of person is physically healthy? What is true of this person? What practices are in place for a person to by physically healthy?

Notice that these were statements followed by questions. They were not questions followed by more questions. I began to change the way I thought of myself.

I am…

As my self-identity began to change things became easier and easier.

When I went out to dinner I would look at the menu and ask myself, “What would a physically healthy person order here?” Then I would order that because I am a physically healthy person.

Self-identifying as a “physically healthy person” also helped getting physically active much easier. On the many mornings that I don’t want to hit the gym I think to myself, “A physically healthy person goes to the gym. I am a physically healthy person, so I will go to the gym.”

As I grow in my new self-identity as a healthy person (spiritually, reltionally, emotionally, and physically) I find making decisions to be easier. I am also finding that there are other things that are beginning to happen. For instance, part of my new identity is that I’m a person who goes to they gym three days a week and lifts weights. That’s who I am now.

In the past, I was a person who was on a diet.

Diets are something that end.

As a person on a diet I would eventually become a person not on a diet. This meant that when I wasn’t on a diet I would typically revert to old habits and undo much of what was done on the diet.

I am a person who is healthy. This never stops. It’s a new way to of being. This way of being lasts beyond reaching any particular goal.

Pursuing a way of being is not goal driven. It is journey driven.

Who am I?

That’s the question that shapes the journey.

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:41:35 -0400

Good morning! May you press on #today with the hope of rest on your horizon.

The Journey - Nuts and Bolts

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:37:52 -0400

As I see friends who haven’t seen me in a while they are effusive in their praise of physical fitness. Over the last year, my body has transformed. What they can’t see is the transformation that has taken place in my heart, mind, and soul. Those changes are of course nearly impossible to simply see.

As important as the physical fitness has been, it’s these other changes that are more important. They are the changes that will help me to maintain my physical fitness beyond reaching a goal.

The single most common question that I get is, “how did you do it?”

My usual response is, “eat less, move more.” Which in a crude sense, is exactly the answer.

But there’s more to it than that, much more.

What are the nuts and bolts for the change in fitness that I’ve experienced?

The first thing, of which I’ve written about at length, is that my self-perception had to change. I had to love myself enough to pursue fitness. By loving myself I was able to make a decision to choose a fully orbed pursuit of health.

Regarding spiritual fitness, I once again began reading. I know that sounds silly. Reading had fallen from my regular habits. I read only when necessary. But, over the last year I began reading in earnest. Not just reading, but reading books that challenged me spiritually and theologically. I didn’t read fast or to “get through” things but I read and pondered. This included the Scriptures and books written by people that I wanted to learn from.

I know that these aren’t really the nuts and bolts that people are interested in when they ask, “How did you do it?” But, without the inner changes the outward changes would not have been able to happen. We have to deal with the inside so that the outside can be transformed.

What about the nuts and bolts for the physical fitness?

“How did you do it?”

The first step that I took was to identify what was the friction point that inhibited me from pursuing exercise. What I learned was that my key friction point was how long it would take me to exercise for 45 minutes. My gym was about a 20 minute drive. So, 40 minutes round trip, plus 45 minutes to exercise, plus another 20 minutes to shower and dress. In other words, it took two hours to exercise for 45 minutes. I don’t know about you, but I’m not typically able to carve out two hours from my day.

When I learned this, I started a 15 minutes per day walking commitment. My thought was that I could do anything for 15 minutes. Indeed I could and I did for over a year. This got me moving. Once I started moving, I kept moving.

I realized that I wasn’t losing any weight and my body was not changing. I had to change what was going into my body. I spent about six months controlling for carbohydrates. I ate less than 25g per day. This started my weight loss.

After six months I hit a plateau at about 30lbs lost. One of the trainers at my new gym (it is 7 minutes from my house!) told me about something called Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This is the number of calories your body burns just by living. He shared with me about the need to be in a calorie deficit to lose weight long term. We talked through the role of macronutrients, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The plan was to maintain muscle while losing weight. To do this I followed a simple plan.

Eating: I targeted approximately 2000 calories per day with 100g protein as the bulk of those calories. This target was based on my BMR. I used this calculator to determine my calorie goal: BMR Calculator. I ate a lot of chicken, salmon, turkey, cruciferous vegetables, and green leafy vegetables.

Tracking: I used an app called Carb Manager. Its free version allowed me to track calories and macronutrients. The premium version I purchased to get finer control. For about a year I tracked almost everything that I ate and drank. This helped me to understand what foods were costing me in terms of calories. It was surprising to see how many calories were in things like dressings and sauces. Tracking is critical because it keeps you honest.

Exercising: I began lifting weights three days a week and I used an app called, FitBod. It uses AI to construct workouts. There are gifs that show you how to do the lifts and it tracks all the weights that I lift. It’s like having a personal trainer in my phone. I also walked for at least 30 minutes, at least twice a week.

That’s it. That’s the nuts and bolts.

That’s how I did it.

What questions do you have? What other information do you want? How can I help you on your journey?

The Journey - Nuts and Bolts

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:37:52 -0400

As important as the physical fitness has been, it’s these other changes that are more important. They are the changes that will help me to maintain my physical fitness beyond reaching a goal.

The single most common question that I get is, “how did you do it?”

My usual response is, “eat less, move more.” Which in a crude sense, is exactly the answer.

But there’s more to it than that, much more.

What are the nuts and bolts for the change in fitness that I’ve experienced?

What about the nuts and bolts for the physical fitness?

“How did you do it?”

That’s it. That’s the nuts and bolts.

That’s how I did it.

What questions do you have? What other information do you want? How can I help you on your journey?

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:06:41 -0400

Good morning! May you have a sense of joy in your work #today.

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:22:36 -0400

Good morning! May you glimpse your purpose knowing you matter #today.

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:54:23 -0400

Good Monday morning! May your week be filled with joyful adventures.

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 06:52:30 -0400

Good morning! May you create community #today!

Sat, 07 Oct 2023 07:28:41 -0400

Good morning! May you do something today that simply brings you joy.

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:54:28 -0400

A little college baseball on a brillaint Friday afternoon? Yes, please!

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:52:48 -0400

Gym thought…

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:55:58 -0400

Good morning! We made it to Friday, persevere, press on, and choose joy #today!

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:34:20 -0400

I love this!

Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.
— Epicurus
Hourly Quotes ✅ https://mastodon.social/@HourlyQuotes/111183123524106323

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 06:56:51 -0400

Good morning! May you create joy #today in the midst of whatever it is you are pursuing.

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:09:04 -0400

Hung out on the lake with the boys this afternoon to end the summer. It was perfect!

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:49:06 -0400

It was Thanksgiving and we were heading to my brother Jay’s home outside Baltimore, Maryland. As we drove the weather grew worse and worse.

This journey was not going well.

Read the rest.

The Journey - The Unseen

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:40:01 -0400

What do we do when the goal is unseen?

It was Thanksgiving and we were heading to my brother Jay's home outside Baltimore, Maryland. We were excited to spend time with his family and celebrate together. As we drove the weather grew worse and worse.

The snow and sleet were becoming overwhelming. Cars were pulling off and sliding off the road at an alarming rate. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than I knew I could. White knuckling was an understatement. I grew more and more tired. Tensions were rising in the car. I knew that Amy wouldn't be comfortable getting behind the wheel and so I drove on.

This journey was not going well.

I desperately wanted to stop and sleep. Amy was desperately trying to find a hotel room.

The “good” hotels were all booked up with other travelers hiding from the storm.

We drove on.

We made it to Jay's house.

Had we known how the journey would have played out, we might not have left. But, the hope of the joy of seeing my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and mom was more than enough to keep us going.

We couldn't see, quite literally, our destination, yet there was hope of the joyful reunion that kept us going. The perseverance paid off! The joy was made that much more sweeter after the difficulty of the journey.

—

At the beginning of any journey you can't see the end. You can try to picture it in your mind's eye but you don't see it. You have to start out and just go. You hope that the going will be smooth and easy. You hope that there will not be any bad weather or traffic jams or delayed flights. But, at the end of the day, you just don't know what the journey will be like nor can you see the destination.

Every journey demands faith.

Paul Tillich wrote, “Faith is an act of a finite being who is grasped by, and turned to, the infinite.”

I'm realizing that this is exactly what has been at the center of my journey toward fitness. It is a journey of the finite being grasped by the infinite.

You see, there's no end to the pursuit of fitness. It's an ongoing journey with various stops along the way.

—

I am struck by something that the Apostle Paul says in that quote from 2 Corinthians, “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.”

As I consider what is going on in my fitness journey, this really is the heart of the matter. It's not about a particular number on the scale or the size of my waist. No, those things are here today and gone tomorrow. It's truly about the pursuit of fitness. A pursuit of something that will last forever.

Being strong, feeling good, having energy, loving well. These are the things that the journey brings about.

So I journey on.

I am believing by faith that the journey will help me become fully myself.

We can't truly see the end when we begin, but stepping out in faith on the journey opens the door to joy.

The Journey - The Unseen

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:40:01 -0400

What do we do when the goal is unseen?

The snow and sleet were becoming overwhelming. Cars were pulling off and sliding off the road at an alarming rate. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than I knew I could. White knuckling was an understatement. I grew more and more tired. Tensions were rising in the car. I knew that Amy wouldn't be comfortable getting behind the wheel and so I drove on.

This journey was not going well.

I desperately wanted to stop and sleep. Amy was desperately trying to find a hotel room.

The “good” hotels were all booked up with other travelers hiding from the storm.

We drove on.

We made it to Jay's house.

Had we known how the journey would have played out, we might not have left. But, the hope of the joy of seeing my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, and mom was more than enough to keep us going.

—

Every journey demands faith.

Paul Tillich wrote, “Faith is an act of a finite being who is grasped by, and turned to, the infinite.”

I'm realizing that this is exactly what has been at the center of my journey toward fitness. It is a journey of the finite being grasped by the infinite.

You see, there's no end to the pursuit of fitness. It's an ongoing journey with various stops along the way.

—

I am struck by something that the Apostle Paul says in that quote from 2 Corinthians, “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.”

Being strong, feeling good, having energy, loving well. These are the things that the journey brings about.

So I journey on.

I am believing by faith that the journey will help me become fully myself.

We can't truly see the end when we begin, but stepping out in faith on the journey opens the door to joy.

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:53:09 -0400

Good morning! May you be fully present with those around you #today.

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:36:08 -0400

Good morning! May you leave joy in your wake as you pursue your authentic self today.

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:40:04 -0400

Good morning! May you start your week with enthusiasm, joy, and hope.

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 14:54:09 -0400

Good friends seem to know what you need even when you don’t.

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 06:12:53 -0400

Good morning! May you connect deeply with others today experiencing the richness of being known.

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 06:55:58 -0400

Good morning! May you intentionally pursue joy today.

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:04:46 -0400

Good morning! May you finish the week well #today, press on!

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 21:37:44 -0400

I love watching this kid play ball!

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 06:50:57 -0400

Good morning! May you get that thing off your list #today that is going to impede rest.

The Journey - The Crew

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:17:40 -0400

We aren't made to walk the path alone.

I had, in my excitement over such a plan, decided to invite some close friends to hold me accountable. My walk needed to be done by 10 pm or they were free to give me all the grief!

At some point in my walking, I pulled a muscle. I could barely walk. But, I persevered. I can do anything for fifteen minutes.

I then made a fatal mistake. I told my close friends that I was counting the mowing as my walk.

In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, “Big mistake, huge, BIG!”

“You made a commitment to walk. Your commitment was not to mow.”

I raged. I argued. I walked.

Never in my life had I been actually held accountable to anything.

These friends loved me enough to hold me accountable to the commitment I had made. I really didn't like them when they did. Yet, they held their ground and pushed me to walk. They wanted me to succeed. In that moment they wanted me to hold to my commitment more than I did.

I walked!

—

There is a passage in the ancient text that goes like this,

This is written right after the writer lists out a number of people who had lived and died in faith. They were the “who's who” of the Old Testament. These people persevered in their faith and made up the “great cloud of witnesses,” along with countless others.

It is interesting to me that when he writes about persevering through the race he sets the call in the context of a “great cloud of witnesses.”

The community of faith, the cloud of witnesses, were the context from which the author calls people to press on and persevere.

—

We are not made to be alone. It is not good for us to be alone. We need community. We need a cloud of witnesses.

When I don't want to persevere, I reach out to these people and they encourage me to walk on.

My identity is not shaped in isolation. It is shaped in community. My crew reminds me of who I am and these reminders give me the hope to carry on.

The journey towards fitness necessitates a crew of people who walk with you.

Who is your crew? Will they ensure that you walk on?

—

*And love is not the easy thing The only baggage that you can bring And love is not the easy thing The only baggage you can bring Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off And if your glass heart should crack And for a second you turn back Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on What you got they can't steal it No, they can't even feel it Walk on, walk on Stay safe tonight* – U2

The Journey - The Crew

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:17:40 -0400

We aren't made to walk the path alone.

I had, in my excitement over such a plan, decided to invite some close friends to hold me accountable. My walk needed to be done by 10 pm or they were free to give me all the grief!

At some point in my walking, I pulled a muscle. I could barely walk. But, I persevered. I can do anything for fifteen minutes.

I then made a fatal mistake. I told my close friends that I was counting the mowing as my walk.

In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, “Big mistake, huge, BIG!”

“You made a commitment to walk. Your commitment was not to mow.”

I raged. I argued. I walked.

Never in my life had I been actually held accountable to anything.

I walked!

—

There is a passage in the ancient text that goes like this,

It is interesting to me that when he writes about persevering through the race he sets the call in the context of a “great cloud of witnesses.”

The community of faith, the cloud of witnesses, were the context from which the author calls people to press on and persevere.

—

We are not made to be alone. It is not good for us to be alone. We need community. We need a cloud of witnesses.

When I don't want to persevere, I reach out to these people and they encourage me to walk on.

My identity is not shaped in isolation. It is shaped in community. My crew reminds me of who I am and these reminders give me the hope to carry on.

The journey towards fitness necessitates a crew of people who walk with you.

Who is your crew? Will they ensure that you walk on?

—

*And love is not the easy thing The only baggage that you can bring And love is not the easy thing The only baggage you can bring Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off And if your glass heart should crack And for a second you turn back Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on What you got they can't steal it No, they can't even feel it Walk on, walk on Stay safe tonight* – U2

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:32:19 -0400

Good morning dear #fediverse! May you make progress #today so that you can find some rest.

The Journey - Perseverance Over Perfection

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 21:28:20 -0400

What if we valued perseverance over being perfect?

It didn't take long before Sophia realized that the walk was over.

—

Here's the crazy thing, if I'm honest, Avil is a reflection of me.

Over the years I've tried all kinds of things to lose weight and to pursue physical health.

Without fail, I've fallen short of my “plan.” When I did, I would throw my hands up and say, “Well, I blew it. Might as well enjoy it!” So what would I do? I'd get the famous number two from McDonald's, (two cheeseburgers, large fry, and a Coke) or I'd get a large pizza. I mean, why not? I have messed up the diet anyway.

You see, when it came to pursuing physical health my mindset has been, “perfection or nothing.” If I couldn't be perfect, I might as well just indulge.

There was no in between.

All or nothing.

I can trace this all or nothing approach through my pursuit of emotional health, spiritual health, and relational health too.

Health has always been a goal, a pursuit, something that I sought to attain. So, if I wasn't perfect then I was a failure. If I failed, then why press on?

I was all about perfection over perseverance.

—

Paul was someone who was aware of the reality that life isn't a zero sum game. Inherent in what he writes here is the reality that life is a process. Becoming mature in his faith was not something that he was necessarily going to succeed at. It was a journey that he was on.

Notice also, that there was failure baked into what Paul said. Paul seems to be saying, “I fail too! I fall short too! But I press on!”

Perseverance is more important than perfection.

—

Something that I think that has been an important lesson is to learn the subtle shift from thinking about health to thinking about fitness.

Mental fitness. Physical fitness. Spiritual fitness. Emotional fitness. Relational fitness.

Fitness doesn't have an end. It's a goal to strive toward but you never really attain it. You never arrive at the end of fitness. So, you keep on pressing on. Straining toward the goal.

No turning back!

If the journey is the goal and the goal is the journey then all we really have is perseverance.

Perfection is not something that we will ever find. If not being perfect derails the journey then I will never be able to move forward.

Because I am on a journey that has no end there is only the option of pressing on. Getting a little better each day. Even when there's a step backward it's not the end. I can regain my footing like Sophia and keep walking.

Perseverance over perfection.

The Journey - Perseverance Over Perfection

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 21:28:20 -0400

What if we valued perseverance over being perfect?

It didn't take long before Sophia realized that the walk was over.

—

Here's the crazy thing, if I'm honest, Avil is a reflection of me.

Over the years I've tried all kinds of things to lose weight and to pursue physical health.

You see, when it came to pursuing physical health my mindset has been, “perfection or nothing.” If I couldn't be perfect, I might as well just indulge.

There was no in between.

All or nothing.

I can trace this all or nothing approach through my pursuit of emotional health, spiritual health, and relational health too.

Health has always been a goal, a pursuit, something that I sought to attain. So, if I wasn't perfect then I was a failure. If I failed, then why press on?

I was all about perfection over perseverance.

—

Notice also, that there was failure baked into what Paul said. Paul seems to be saying, “I fail too! I fall short too! But I press on!”

Perseverance is more important than perfection.

—

Something that I think that has been an important lesson is to learn the subtle shift from thinking about health to thinking about fitness.

Mental fitness. Physical fitness. Spiritual fitness. Emotional fitness. Relational fitness.

Fitness doesn't have an end. It's a goal to strive toward but you never really attain it. You never arrive at the end of fitness. So, you keep on pressing on. Straining toward the goal.

No turning back!

If the journey is the goal and the goal is the journey then all we really have is perseverance.

Perfection is not something that we will ever find. If not being perfect derails the journey then I will never be able to move forward.

Perseverance over perfection.

The Journey - Who Am I?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:52:42 -0400

Our self identity shapes what we do.

A couple of years ago I read a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear. He tells the story of a friend who went on a weight loss journey. To begin this journey his friend started a habit of going to the gym. At this point you might be thinking, “Well, of course he did.” But here's the kicker, he never went in. Every day he drove to the gym and parked in the parking lot.

What a strange thing to do, I thought. It surely didn't make any sense to me when I initially read it. I stopped and pondered why would he do something so strange before continuing to read. I wanted to try and figure it out. For the life of me, I couldn't. It just didn't make any sense.

Eventually, as you would expect, his friend began going into the gym. But, he didn't work out. He just went in. Then, he started exercising but only did one set of one movement. Then he left. But, then he started working out regularly and changed his physical state of health.

What was happening in this story?

This man was changing his identity.

When he started his journey he was not someone who exercised. To become someone who exercised he needed to become someone who went to the gym. He wasn't that guy either. He had to become a person who went tot he gym before he could become a person who exercised. So, at the most basic of levels he became a person who went to the gym.

This story deeply resonated with me.

I had begun figuring out my why. I was beginning to learn what it meant to love me. But, there was a second question that I needed to wrestle with, “Who am I?”

What kind of person am I?

I began to work through a series of “I am...” statements related to health.

I am a spiritually healthy person. What does this mean? What does a spiritually healthy person look like? What kinds of practices does a spiritually healthy person have in their lives?

I am an emotionally healthy person. What does this look like? How do I lean into working on emotional health? Are there signs of not being emotionally healthy that need to be addressed?

I am a physically healthy person. What kind of person is physically healthy? What is true of this person? What practices are in place for a person to by physically healthy?

Notice that these were statements followed by questions. They were not questions followed by more questions. I began to change the way I thought of myself.

I am...

As my self-identity began to change things became easier and easier.

When I went out to dinner I would look at the menu and ask myself, “What would a physically healthy person order here?” Then I would order that because I am a physically healthy person.

Self-identifying as a “physically healthy person” also helped getting physically active much easier. On the many mornings that I don't want to hit the gym I think to myself, “A physically healthy person goes to the gym. I am a physically healthy person, so I will go to the gym.”

As I grow in my new self-identity as a healthy person (spiritually, reltionally, emotionally, and physically) I find making decisions to be easier. I am also finding that there are other things that are beginning to happen. For instance, part of my new identity is that I'm a person who goes to they gym three days a week and lifts weights. That's who I am now.

In the past, I was a person who was on a diet.

Diets are something that end.

As a person on a diet I would eventually become a person not on a diet. This meant that when I wasn't on a diet I would typically revert to old habits and undo much of what was done on the diet.

I am a person who is healthy. This never stops. It's a new way to of being. This way of being lasts beyond reaching any particular goal.

Pursuing a way of being is not goal driven. It is journey driven.

Who am I?

That's the question that shapes the journey.

The Journey - Who Am I?

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:52:42 -0400

Our self identity shapes what we do.

A couple of years ago I read a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear. He tells the story of a friend who went on a weight loss journey. To begin this journey his friend started a habit of going to the gym. At this point you might be thinking, “Well, of course he did.” But here's the kicker, he never went in. Every day he drove to the gym and parked in the parking lot.

What was happening in this story?

This man was changing his identity.

This story deeply resonated with me.

I had begun figuring out my why. I was beginning to learn what it meant to love me. But, there was a second question that I needed to wrestle with, “Who am I?”

What kind of person am I?

I began to work through a series of “I am...” statements related to health.

I am a spiritually healthy person. What does this mean? What does a spiritually healthy person look like? What kinds of practices does a spiritually healthy person have in their lives?

I am an emotionally healthy person. What does this look like? How do I lean into working on emotional health? Are there signs of not being emotionally healthy that need to be addressed?

I am a physically healthy person. What kind of person is physically healthy? What is true of this person? What practices are in place for a person to by physically healthy?

Notice that these were statements followed by questions. They were not questions followed by more questions. I began to change the way I thought of myself.

I am...

As my self-identity began to change things became easier and easier.

When I went out to dinner I would look at the menu and ask myself, “What would a physically healthy person order here?” Then I would order that because I am a physically healthy person.

As I grow in my new self-identity as a healthy person (spiritually, reltionally, emotionally, and physically) I find making decisions to be easier. I am also finding that there are other things that are beginning to happen. For instance, part of my new identity is that I'm a person who goes to they gym three days a week and lifts weights. That's who I am now.

In the past, I was a person who was on a diet.

Diets are something that end.

As a person on a diet I would eventually become a person not on a diet. This meant that when I wasn't on a diet I would typically revert to old habits and undo much of what was done on the diet.

I am a person who is healthy. This never stops. It's a new way to of being. This way of being lasts beyond reaching any particular goal.

Pursuing a way of being is not goal driven. It is journey driven.

Who am I?

That's the question that shapes the journey.

The Journey - Start With "Why?"

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 19:29:55 -0400

Answering one question can start the journey.

Do you want to know something interesting? When I look in the mirror I don't really see much change at all. I will catch myself walking past a mirror and think, “wow! I've changed!” Then as I continue to look at myself I can almost see my body transform back to the “old me” in the mirror.

It's weird.

The thing is, this really is a journey. It's my own personal hero journey. There are ups and downs. There are obstacles and pitfalls. There have been big successes and some big failures too.

A number of years ago after my second child, Libby, was born I lost a lot of weight. I wanted to to do it for “the kids.” Life was pretty easy and I dropped the weight.

A few years later, life got stressful. I gained all the weight back and kept it on for almost twenty years.

There were diets here and there and I lost some weight and I gained it back.

But, then something changed.

—

Love and grace.

I suppose it shouldn't be all that surprising that a pastor thinks about love and grace (well, these days with the state of American Christianity perhaps it is). For the longest time I was more interested in truth and righteousness.

I wanted to be right. I knew I had the truth. More than anything I wanted people to embrace the truth and see that I was right so that they would be able to know what I knew. You could say, I was a bit of tool, and you'd be right. I was arrogant and self-consumed. I was not all that kind.

In the background of all that there was a nagging question, “What's so amazing about grace?” It had been posited to me by my friend and mentor, Bob. This question just floated around in the background like a little soundtrack that I tried to ignore.

Over the last ten years that question wouldn't remain in the background. It exploded into the foreground and with it came the question, “What is unconditional love?”

—

“What does any of this have to do with a journey toward losing weight?”

Great question.

In some ways it doesn't have anything to do with it and at the same time it has everything to do with it.

My journey hasn't been a journey of weight loss. My journey, my hero journey, has been a journey of health. Physical health is but one aspect. And, it's almost the least important aspect of the journey! It's a consequence of a pursuit of love and grace. As I pursued these things I started becoming more aware of my need to be a healthy person. This meant a healthy spirituality, healthy emotionally, and healthy relationally along with the physical.

I titled this, Start with “Why?”, because when I finally got rolling on my journey it was when I had finally come to the realization that I loved me.

I loved me enough to exercise. I loved me enough to change my eating habits. I loved me enough to be intentional about relationships. I loved me enough to doggedly pursue my spiritual life.

As I set out on this journey eighteen months ago it was not for my wife or for my children. It was not to get healthy.

I took the first step on the journey because I had finally come to the place where I loved me.

—

I had to confront my lack of love for myself.

I'm convinced that the first step in the journey toward health has to start with, “Why?”

I am also convinced that if the why doesn't include “because I love me” then the journey is likely derailed from the beginning. The journey toward health (spiritual, relational, emotional, physical) is the hardest thing that I've entered into. If it wasn't rooted in love, I don't think I would have continued.

—

“How did you do it?”

Love and grace my friend, love and grace.

The Journey - Start With "Why?"

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 19:29:55 -0400

Answering one question can start the journey.

It's weird.

The thing is, this really is a journey. It's my own personal hero journey. There are ups and downs. There are obstacles and pitfalls. There have been big successes and some big failures too.

A number of years ago after my second child, Libby, was born I lost a lot of weight. I wanted to to do it for “the kids.” Life was pretty easy and I dropped the weight.

A few years later, life got stressful. I gained all the weight back and kept it on for almost twenty years.

There were diets here and there and I lost some weight and I gained it back.

But, then something changed.

—

Love and grace.

I wanted to be right. I knew I had the truth. More than anything I wanted people to embrace the truth and see that I was right so that they would be able to know what I knew. You could say, I was a bit of tool, and you'd be right. I was arrogant and self-consumed. I was not all that kind.

Over the last ten years that question wouldn't remain in the background. It exploded into the foreground and with it came the question, “What is unconditional love?”

—

“What does any of this have to do with a journey toward losing weight?”

Great question.

In some ways it doesn't have anything to do with it and at the same time it has everything to do with it.

I titled this, Start with “Why?”, because when I finally got rolling on my journey it was when I had finally come to the realization that I loved me.

I loved me enough to exercise. I loved me enough to change my eating habits. I loved me enough to be intentional about relationships. I loved me enough to doggedly pursue my spiritual life.

As I set out on this journey eighteen months ago it was not for my wife or for my children. It was not to get healthy.

I took the first step on the journey because I had finally come to the place where I loved me.

—

I had to confront my lack of love for myself.

I'm convinced that the first step in the journey toward health has to start with, “Why?”

—

“How did you do it?”

Love and grace my friend, love and grace.

The Way of Reconnecting

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:38:37 -0400

Why I find the Jesus Way helpful in loving well.

In the single most unsurprising thing ever written, I as a pastor think about religion. I think about it an awful lot. For a long time whenever I thought about religion I did so in a negative way. There was almost an allergic reaction to the word for me. Religion, in my understanding was nothing more than a set of beliefs or rules, an attempt by humanity to reach God.

Over the years though, I have come to understand religion in a very different light. In my desire to run from religion I ran to Jesus. As I ran to Jesus I discovered that religion is good and beautiful. How can I say this? Because, I continue to learn that religion at its core is about re-connecting again and again those things or people that had been broken apart.

As I continue to pursue the way of Jesus I am dumbfounded by how I could not have seen this sooner. For so long my practice of faith was marked by creating in groups and out groups. It started with “Believers” and “Non-believers”. Within the “Believers” there were the “Committed” and “Nominal”. Within the “Committed there were the “Faithful, Available, and Teachable” and their counterparts.

I certainly was not practicing religion. My practice of faith simply functioned to divide and separate.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The Jesus way is rooted in this idea of love that crosses the disconnections. It is religion, that is, re-connecting again and again.

The love that Jesus describes here is not a love that is easy. It costs something. It demands that we set aside our innate desire to separate from and disconnect from those we consider enemies. Not only that, but we are to indeed love them. We are to treat them as neighbors. In the Jesus way we are to treat no one as part of the out-group. No, we are to move toward them in love seeking to re-connect with them.

Jesus also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through me.” The longer I walk with Jesus the more I'm understanding this to mean that as we walk in the Jesus way, this way of self-sacrificial love, we will experience the Divine.

James, the brother of Jesus wrote, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

The control of your tongue in James is directly related to connection/disconnection (he uses the terms blessing/cursing). So, if you claim to be a “religious (reconnecting)” person but all you do is divide your religion is worthless. But, pure and faultless religion (reconnecting) is displayed in looking after orphans and widows. Why those folks? Because they are the embodiment of disconnection. Widows have been disconnected from their husbands. Orphans have been disconnected from their parents. The way of Jesus calls us to the practice of re-connection.

Why do I think this way of Jesus is the best way to practice re-connection (religion)? Because there is a foundation for bringing about re-connection. Jesus teaches the way of reconciliation and re-connection through forgiveness.

As I continue to realize my complicity in causing brokenness and disconnection I continue to find grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. I am often overwhelmed by a sense of forgiveness from those around me. This provides me an ample pool of grace to draw from to be a conduit of that same grace to help bring re-connection to this world of disconnection.

Perhaps at the end of the day, the most powerful aspect of the Jesus Way is that it's not an individual endeavor but by following his way I find myself part of something bigger than myself. This community of other practitioners of the Jesus Way helps spur me on to love well.

The Way of Reconnecting

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:38:37 -0400

Why I find the Jesus Way helpful in loving well.

I certainly was not practicing religion. My practice of faith simply functioned to divide and separate.

The Jesus way is rooted in this idea of love that crosses the disconnections. It is religion, that is, re-connecting again and again.

Finding My Religion

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:30:10 -0400

Could religion actually be good?

When you think of religion what comes into your mind?

For many of us it's probably something like, “man's pursuit of the divine,” or “a system of beliefs,” or “the crutch of humanity,” or “the worst thing that's ever happened to humanity.” Whatever our understanding or definition it's typically tinged with a bit of negativity.

How many folks do you know say something like, “I'm spiritual not religious”? In many of my circles that saying goes like this, “Christianity is a relationship not a religion.”

Religion is apparently not a very popular thing.

“Whatever you do, don't talk about religion or politics.” – Someone

“Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too” – John Lennon

Religion is a dirty word. When you talk to most folks it seems like religion conjures up images of disconnection, judgementalism, factionalism, and maybe even hate. I saw a funny meme that said, “Religion is just weird guys in robes making stuff up.”

I think it is safe to say that we do not think, by and large, very highly of religion.

Is there anything redeeming or good or helpful about religion?

Does religion deserve its bad reputation?

Is it possible that religion might not be the evil villain that it has been made out to be?

—

I think it was in a Rob Bell podcast (and he probably got it from Richard Rohr) that I heard something that jarred me and I may have heard an audible record scratch in my mind.

He was talking about religion and in particular he was hitting on the Latin root of the word. Both religion and ligament share the Latin root, “ligare”. “Ligare” means to bind or bond. “Religare” is the Latin term from which we derive “religion.” If my research into the Latin pre-fix “re-” is correct then the idea of “religare” is “bind again and again.”

It's interesting to me that the word that developed into our modern word for “religion” is one that in so many ways is the opposite of what it means today.

What if religion is really about “binding again and again”?

—

As I think about the idea of religion in conjunction to its linguistic roots it is exactly the kind of thing that I want to be about.

What I like about thinking about the term, religion, at this deeper level is that I find it to be deeply connected to the best aspect (in my not so humble opinion) of the human experience: forgiveness.

There is an assumption with the very core of the word that there is going to be disconnection and brokenness and separation but there is also the hope of connection and healing and unity. But, not only that those are realities but also the reality that they would be an ongoing process. There is in the Latin prefix “re-” a sense of again and again.

Religion in this sense is such an honest word. It doesn't try to sugar coat our experience. It doesn't pretend that there is in some way an end to the need for re-connecting. All of us know that life and relationships of every kind are messy and hard.

The deeper we go in relationship the more we will find our need to pursue love and forgiveness.

—

There is only so long that we can pretend in relationships. At some point our masks come off and we finally get real (yes, yes, that sounds an awful lot like the opening to MTV's Real World, I'm a product of my culture). When this happens we will inevitably hurt the person with whom we are in relationship with and they will inevitably hurt us.

My wife and I just celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. There is no person that knows me like her and I assume that I know her better than any other. We have known one another since 1995. In the nearly 30 years that we have had a relationship we have hurt one another. Some hurts were deeper than others. But, they were hurts nonetheless. Each time we have chosen to forgive and pursue love. In so doing, we were practicing the most foundational form of religion.

I am coming to the conclusion that instead of running away from religion as I follow Jesus, I'm running head long into religion. Religion is the core of what I want to be all about because it seems to be what Jesus was all about.

—

One time Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was. He responded with love God and the second being love your neighbor as yourself. Later, Jesus would expand on the love your neighbor bit to also include loving your enemies.

Jesus was all about religion. He was all about re-connecting again and again those things or people that had been broken apart.

Whether someone is a Christian or a church-goer or even an atheist I think we all might want consider religion.

You see, I don't need to imagine a world without religion. We see that world every single day. Everywhere we look it seems that we can easily find broken relationships and disconnection.

It's harder to imagine a world with religion. A world that was rife with connection and forgiveness rooted in love.

As I continue to think about this it strikes me that there is not any particular belief necessary for religion. What matters is for people to love well. Can a person who believes in God do that? Yes. Can a person who does not believe in God do that? Yes.

I am committed to following Jesus. I think by following in his way it becomes easier to love well to practice religion (but that's for another post).

It turns out that as I have tried to run from “religion” to a “relationship with God” or a deeper “spirituality,” I'm actually finding my religion.

Everyday I wake up with one thing on my mind, “How can I love well today?”

In other words, “I can't wait to practice religion today!”