We saw last week that Psalm 137 acknowledges and gives legitimacy to the voice of trauma. We also learned that we can take even our darkest emotions to God and that he is big enough to handle our anger, hates, and desire for vengeance. But how does this mesh with the Christian concepts of justice and forgiveness? These are great … Read More
Reflections on Prayer and the Victims of Trauma, 1 of 2
1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? … Read More
Exclusive Prayer and Ministry Update-082623
“The Lord GOD helps me; therefore, I have not been disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame…” Isaiah 50:7, NIV Carpentry Well, I never thought I’d be taking this path at 57, but this “carpenter—theologian” has taken up his tools again as a way to 1) support … Read More
The Archimedean Point of Christ’s Death
One of my heroes of the faith is Fleming Rutledge, an 86-year-old priest in the Episcopal Church. Her masterful work The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ was named book of the year by Christianity Today in 2015—an amazing achievement for a 78-year-old! As a pastor who regularly leads communion, as well as a sinful guy who just wants … Read More
Silly Science (Part 2) and Why Creation is Still Good
One of the main contentions of Young Earth Creationism (YEC) is that “the belief in millions of years totally contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture.”[1] Last week we responded to one example YEC advocates Ham and Hodges gave in support of this (see here) and this week we will look at a second related to “disease:” “Evidence of diseases like … Read More
Silly Science (Part 1) and Why Work Hurts
I get frustrated with young earth creationists’ critiques of evolutionary creationism. They’re often full of contradictions and consistently based on uninformed, overly literal interpretations of ancient texts. Here’s a quick example of the kind of contradictions I mean from a recent review of my Genesis 1 and Science in the Constructive Conversation series: “Since evolution cannot be demonstrated by the … Read More
The Precious Gift of Unity
1Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the … Read More
Going Through Storms, 2 of 2
We mentioned in part one that storms come in many shapes and sizes. Again, whether yours feel minor or soul-destroying, I hope that one or more of these remaining insights from the relational storms that I’ve gone through recently will be healing and helpful. Forgive. Some hurts are unintentional and come from people who really do love us. Moreover, even … Read More
Going Through Storms, 1 of 2
One standout memory from the global pandemic was hearing Brittany Howard’s powerful, bluesy voice reimagine the classic “You’ll Never Walk Alone”: “When you walk through the storm hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark… Why? Well… in the song it has something to do with “the golden sky” at the end of the storm and … Read More
EXCLUSIVE PRAYER AND MINISTRY UPDATE-060723
For some of you who read this blog regularly, thanks for your patience as I’ve had to reflect and navigate some challenges over the last few weeks. Here’s our latest: Care Net: Unexpectedly, last month, I found it necessary to resign as Executive Director of Church Outreach and Engagement. Although I’ve been honored to work alongside some amazing people over … Read More