We have received many inquiries about the letters, and we understand why people are upset. We agree that much of the language in the letters feels harsh, and the content is inescapably painful. Many people have observed the glaring and gross lack of propriety and civility in the author’s use of words like “mutilate” and […]
I will offer one caveat (though God very often offers no caveats). Admittedly, I offer this caveat because I am insecure (but God is not insecure, and therefore He offers far fewer caveats). I offer this caveat because I am afraid to make you uncomfortable (God is not afraid to make you uncomfortable, hence He […]
Read 2 Kings 2:23-25. Then imagine asking Jesus of Nazareth, “What’s your interpretation and application of this anecdote?” (Luke 2:46-47; 24:27). ::: Elisha was traveling to the house of God He encountered a jeering small boy squad 42 they numbered Then the She-bears lumbered And upon the small boys they gnawed A limerick based on […]
“It may be that Christians, notwithstanding corporate worship, common prayer, and all their fellowship in service, may still be left to their loneliness. The final break-through to fellowship does not occur, because, though they have fellowship with one another as believers and as devout people, they do not have fellowship as the undevout, as sinners. […]
I’m listening to “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. Here are some excellent excerpts from the book – – – > what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim. Alexander Rostov was neither […]
Edwardo had often wondered, “Where is God?” Edwardo would lay in his bed at night and wish that God would tangibly come hug him and tuck him in (it seemed a fatherly thing for God to do, and a childlike thing for Edwardo to want). Every night Edwardo yearned for it, and wondered “Where is […]
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I’m listening to Eugene Peterson’s authorized biography. Here are some paraphrased excerpts from the book: The temptation to be “an expert” is relentless. He began to notice a latent messianic complex, where he was drawn to locate the emotional problems of people and then “FIX THEM EFFICIENTLY.” […]
Once upon a time there was a community of rabbis. Like all communities, they had their way of doing things. They had long standing traditions and rules. For example: [Rule #1] All rabbis must invest the majority of their time at the synagogue or temple (because this is where serious God stuff gets accomplished). [Rule […]
These days I’m listening to Winn Collier’s book “A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson.” I am increasingly enamored with the value system promoted via Eugene’s story, and I’m exceedingly convinced that Eugene’s approach to pastoral work, and to simply being human, is richly compatible with the emphatic commendation of […]
“Yet, unbelief doesn’t see God as the ultimate good. So it can’t see sin as the ultimate evil. It instead sees sin as a good thing and thus God’s commands as a stumbling block to joy. In believing the devil, I didn’t need a pentagram pendant to wear, neither did I need to memorize a […]