March 2010
36 posts
the death of Jesus and You
What does the death of Jesus mean?
What does it do?
What place has it in our lives?
Try this simple exercise:
Think through the past 24 hours. Have you thought once about Jesus dying on the cross? Has it changed anything in your life in the last 24 hours? Can you identify one moment, situation, or incident where the death of Jesus has been a part of your life?
Was that convicting? or just...
“For some, forgiveness is that which comes after repentance. In contrast, Jesus...”
– Peter Rollins, The Orthodox Heretic
“If somebody died and came back to life, that is a dangerous person because...”
– Rob Bell, “Crafting An Experience”
How Can You Abandon Everything?
I recently received an email that had statistics about why young adults drop out of church. The #1 reasons listed was:
1. They simply want a break from church (27%)
This doesn’t surprise me, but it does confuse me. Maybe it makes more sense to say that it conflicts me.
It doesn’t surprise me because I’ve heard this numerous times out of people’s mouths. I’ve...
“Forgiving is not something we do for another person…forgiving happens...”
– Harold S. Kushner
Human Depravity.
It means that the highest of the Created Order is wicked, wicked, wicked.
If we truly grasp this and don’t get lost in arrogant suspicion or pride, there can be tremendous effects on our lives. Think about it: embracing our brokenness will ultimately lead to the ability to empathize with other humans.
Us = bad, God = Good.
This contradiction should make us desperate for...
“The incoming of God as expressed in the incarnation represents a beautiful...”
– Peter Rollins, The Orthodox Heretic
Another reason why I love George Fox Seminary: here’s my New Testament assignment:
This week I’d like you to try a thought experiment, admittedly a bit speculative, but rooted in your reading. Compose a 200-word description of what you think Christianity might look like today if some form of Jewish Christianity had become dominant, rather than the more Gentile-oriented movement aligned...
Not Far
The last couple of weeks I’ve met with some friends, new and old, at a local pub to talk about life, faith, and the Bible.
We’ve centered our discussion thus far around the 23rd Psalm. It’s a familiar passage to most people who grew up in or around churches. For a refresher:
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me...
Can We Afford Not to be Dreamers?
After being at HPPC for a few weeks, I had a gathering with several of the Young Adult Community leaders. It was a pretty casual night of cooking, eating, and conversation. I mostly just wanted to hear their hearts.
As we started to pick up the conversation, I threw out some version of the question, “If you had unlimited resources and could devote yourself to it for the rest of your life, what...
Freedumb
Can we really expect to know?
Or should we just expect to be known?
Freedom does not make us wise. It makes us aware and sensitive.
Freedom does not make us strong. It makes us able.
“Repentance is catalytic for reconciliation with God, with self, and with others....”
Would people who know you well say you live with a philosophy of scarcity or one of abundance?
“We must be wary of spending all our time poring over the words, talking about...”
– Peter Rollins, The Orthodox Heretic
Leapers.
I recently got the chance to reflect on what’s been personally formative in the way of theology and philosophy over the past few years, and it sparked an internal dialogue about eye opening experiences. One thing in particular now seems covertly pivotal, so I thought I’d share.
As a senior in college at MSU, I took a World Lit class. I wasn’t necessarily interested in World...
Who have you empowered today through words or actions?
“Didn’t Jesus say “the poor will always be with you?” Many of...”
– Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution
Would you rather be an arbiter of goodness or an arbiter of correct thinking?
“Do not worry about your career. Concern yourself with your vocation, and that is...”
– Mother Teresa
(my advice for the day)
Nearest Neighbor →
This is a pretty sweet idea. Anyone want to mess with pulling this off in DFW?
2 tags
Running 31 miles was a blast, but I don’t know how I could have done it without the encouragement of my family and friends. I’m sure there are tons of people who could care less about this, but I wanted to share my experience. It was tough but rewarding, long but over with before I knew it.
I can sincerely say it has left me wanting more and toying with the insane idea of a 50 miler....
An Ultramarathon Playlist
Around mile 16 of my race on Saturday, I felt fantastic.
I was listening to a Kanye West song and felt good enough to Twitter a joke about him. A few miles later I felt like crap, so maybe it was the curse of Kanye. I know how Taylor Swift feels. Sort of.
If you can’t tell, I favored one song in my playlist. It’s the only one I repeated. Here’s a chance to peep what I listened...
“Grace is the most powerful force in the universe. It can transcend repression,...”
– Gerald G. May