This post is a reflection on Jacob Goff’s wonderful post on the power of the redeemed mindset. It is very much worth the short read: simulblog.com/2014/05/07/why-christians-cant-believe/ Really, read it and be blessed. I insist! Now, I reflect. Someone commented on Jacob’s article and said they struggle to maintain a redeemed mindset. The brilliant thing about […]
I recently listened to episode 93 of the Partially Examined Life podcast (you can listen to it or read about it here). It is fascinating to listen to non-religious people (these are not rabid militant “New Atheism” people, just fun and thoughtful agnostic/atheists) grapple with a problem that we have been looking at from a […]
There has been an idea floating around for years that there is “scientific truth”, and that there is “religious truth”, and never the twain shall meet. This is how some people work out the disparity between the truth claims of the Bible and the truth claims of science. I don’t think it is the right […]
If you think you have reached an acceptable level of moral success and have no need of redemption, your standard is too low. What is the right standard? The right standard is the cross of Christ.
A lot of things have been collecting in the “must post this insight” queue, so I’m going to clear that out in one disorganized post. Here you go: 1. Parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-28) You know what the main difference was between the guys who multiplied their talent and the guy who […]
A freewheeling discussion about discipleship under grace with Jim McNeely and Dax Swanson. How did Jesus actually do discipleship? The answer is surprising! How does the gospel of grace inform our notion of discipleship?
The issue of forgiveness and continuity of relationship is utterly central to the Christian faith. Obviously, since we live on planet earth among humans, our practical understanding of these things is constantly being challenged. Forgiveness is powerful because it is so needful. We had a conversation a while back with a woman who had divorced […]
Obedience is all about entering your rest (Hebrews 4:3). Obedience relieves me of the distress of being smart enough to create my own vision, developing my own resources, forging my own message, and in general inventing my own successful life. If I am inventing my own successful life, then whenever I am challenged, I have to make sure I have a strong enough plan to answer every objection. However, if I am simply being obedient to another, none of these things are my problem.
When my thirst got great enough to ask, a clear stream welled up inside, some jade wave buoyed me forward, and I found myself upright in the instant, with a garden inside my own ribs aflourish. There, the arbor leafs. The vines push out plump grapes. You are loved, someone said. Take that and eat […]
World Vision has been in the news quite a bit lately with its flip-flopping stance on accepting workers who are openly gay. There are extremely strong statements both for and against this issue. Let’s say this up front: I doubt my thoughts here are going to satisfy either side. Let me say that I can […]