We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. –Oscar Wilde As a carpenter, it’s no secret I’ve installed a lot of windows. The time I jumped out of one, however, is something I’ve kept hidden until now. I’ll explain below. The Christian faith teaches that the ground is level at the foot of … Read More
What I’ve Learned from My Catholic Friends
In an interview celebrating the legendary friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien, a Roman Catholic, and C.S. Lewis, evangelicalism’s “patron saint,” British author Colin Duriez describes what Lewis learned from Tolkien: [Tolkien showed him that] “the nourishment he had always received from great myths and fantasy stories was a taste of that greatest, truest story– of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ… Lewis … Read More
Women in Church Leadership, Part 2
“Women have more to offer the church than mad decorating skills or craft nights. I look around: I see women who can offer strategic leadership, wisdom, counsel, and teaching.” ― Sarah Bessey, (egalitarian) “What women rightly long for is spiritual and moral initiative from a man, not spiritual and moral domination.”[1] -John Piper (complementarian) I mentioned last week that the … Read More
Women in Church Leadership, Part 1
In a previous fellowship of churches, I was often asked to speak when a pastor was away. On one occasion, I asked my daughter to read the passage I was preaching on that morning before I spoke. To my surprise, a fellow pastor in our denomination wrote a letter questioning why we would let a woman stand behind the sacred … Read More
Why I’m Pro-Life
I remember when reports announced that Princess Kate of England was pregnant. Even the most secular news outlets immediately began talking about the child in her womb as an heir to the throne… But doesn’t the dignity we conferred on a ‘royal’ baby apply also to countless other ‘ordinary’ babies whose lives are no less significant?[1] For me, being pro-life … Read More
Wary & Tepid No More
Abortion makes us uncomfortable. It’s an extreme topic associated with extreme politics—right or left—and we don’t like controversy. I understand. I must write about this, however, and here’s the reason: Although I hate partisan politics, I love children—especially their potential and this includes those yet unborn. Further, having experienced the joy of being a father, as a minister of the … Read More
In Pursuit of Authentic Worship, Part 2
In part one, I talked about church services that make me want to run rather than worship, and trends that may promote “less discipleship and more one night stands with Jesus.” On a constructive note—one that respects a diversity of traditions and styles not my own, below are six suggestions specifically for those who influence the weekly worship of others, … Read More
In Pursuit of Authentic Worship, Part 1
Some church services make me want to run from Christians rather than worship God. Just last month I attended a service led by a black guy on rhythm guitar, a barefoot white girl with an amazing voice, and an Asian on lead guitar. In the background, a keyboardist, bassist, and drummer added to the combined musicianship, which was first-rate. This … Read More
Why Reading is So Important
***This is the last in a four-part series and has been updated with recommendations for teens.[1] It was originally written in September 2009 for my children. Dear Emily, Matt, and Tim, I know I harp on you more often than you would like about not reading enough, watching too much TV, or spending hours playing video games. I also know you … Read More
Reading the Classics to Your Kids (& Grandkids!)
***This piece, the third in a four-part series, has been updated, but was originally written in October 2004. It is dedicated to my sister, Victoria Austen-Moon (pictured below) who has a Master’s in Creative Writing and was a voracious reader before her accident in 2012. Unfortunately, this is the only piece we ever collaborated on. Part of raising children who … Read More