Benediction: Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart;” So what if he does? And isn’t that question answered when God took on flesh and he searched us by becoming us? He lived with us, he questioned us, he danced and sang and cried with us, he suffered with us and then suffered and died because of … Continue reading Benediction: Psalm 139:23-24
Benediction: On “Communion”
Jesus’ last meal was with a bunch of cowards and backstabbers, and he knew it. He went on from that meal to be lied about, betrayed, arrested, beaten and murdered. To add insult to injury, after the crucifixion we read how the disciples seem to have given up on the whole thing and gone back … Continue reading Benediction: On “Communion”
Benediction: Jonah 3-4
There are some theologians who think that when Jesus was telling the story of the Prodigal Son he was intentionally re-imagining the story of Jonah. If we think about Jonah sitting on the hillside, angry at God’s mercy toward undeserving people, we can see how similar it is to the Older Brother, refusing to join … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 3-4
Benediction: Matthew 5:20
The Old Testament is a story of failure. Repeated Failure. A thousand odd pages of God telling people “Trust me and live”, and people responding with a “No thanks.”. And apart from a jump in time, my story, and your story would fit in perfectly well. Which is why these passages from Jeremiah read with … Continue reading Benediction: Matthew 5:20
Benediction: On “Christianity”
Karl Barth was a theologian who literally wrote millions of words and thousands of pages trying to formulate what Christianity was. There’s a story–that might be true–that he was once asked if he could sum it all up in one sentence. He said “Jesus loves me, This I know, For the Bible tells me so.” … Continue reading Benediction: On “Christianity”
Benediction: Beatitudes – Those Who Mourn
In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead we read how Mary and Martha come to Jesus to tell him that their brother is very ill and will die and can Jesus please come before that happens? Jesus waits a couple of days before going to where Lazarus by that time has died … Continue reading Benediction: Beatitudes – Those Who Mourn
Benediction: Beatitudes – The Poor in Spirit
It’s not the strong or the worthy, but the poor in spirit who will inherit the Kingdom of God. May God give you the grace to see your brokenness, to sit with your hurt, and offer up your emptiness, to know that you ARE the poor in spirit. And so, whatever you are holding on … Continue reading Benediction: Beatitudes – The Poor in Spirit
Benediction: Parenting
One of my favorite songs is called “Broken Tether” by the Collection. The singer is wrestling with his failure and claims that if he were to meet God in person he’d change all his ways and be a better person–which might be true. But then comes a line that gets me every time: I hope … Continue reading Benediction: Parenting
Benediction: Jonah 1
Jonah is clearly a failed Christ figure. He even spent 3 days in a tomb that should have been the end of his life. Both were asked to go into the middle of those who hated them and preach the love and grace of God. Jonah chose to run, but Christ chose to die, even … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 1
Benediction: Jonah 2
Many of the questions we ask God can’t be answered directly, not because God doesn’t know the answers but because our questions don’t make sense. As C.S. Lewis once pointed out, many of our questions are, from God’s point of view, rather like someone asking, “Is yellow square or round?” or “How many hours are … Continue reading Benediction: Jonah 2
Poem: Original Design
The dirt pile my son created several summers ago is now a green, rolling feature of our front yard. Time has worn away his fingerprints such that it now bears the image of God’s original design. Continue reading Poem: Original Design
Benediction: Isaiah 42:1-9
One of our biggest roadblocks to justice is the zero sum, winner takes all mentality.We also can’t just pursue Justice, but we must do so from a properly oriented heart.Maybe one helpful step in getting there, especially as we continue through this season of lent, is to remember that we were playing a zero sum … Continue reading Benediction: Isaiah 42:1-9
“Lift Up Thine Eyes”
I was born in Huntington, WV, which, for several years in a row, was ranked by Business Insider as “The Most Miserable City in America“, as well as “America’s Most Depressed, Unhealthy And Lethargic City“. I saw that in 2019 we jumped from #1 to #24, which is exciting considering the 20,000ish incorporated cities in … Continue reading “Lift Up Thine Eyes”
Poem: Sweetness too simple
The expectant dead surround meStanding. I see my shadow only and know I am alone.There amidst the circus beasts’ bonesI no longer have the strength or will to turnAnd see the light that burnsMy shade on the wall of the cave.(They will say “But he is a knaveWho in the garden labours,And is unable to … Continue reading Poem: Sweetness too simple
Benediction: Luke 2:8-20
I’m really fascinated by the Shepherds. This reprehensible, foul-smelling, swearing, group of men that spend their days with stupid animals, far from the center of anything important. But I’m really fixated on the moment of entry into the stable, or cave, or whatever it actually was where Jesus was born. Joseph, after the previous night’s … Continue reading Benediction: Luke 2:8-20
Benediction: Luke 1:26-28
I’ve always been fascinated by the “Island of Misfit Toys”. But it’s also always bothered me, because honestly, most of the residents aren’t that misfitted — a lot of them are really just misnamed and if I were empty-handed and on my to a child’s birthday party, I wouldn’t feel that terrible about buying one … Continue reading Benediction: Luke 1:26-28
Benediction: Luke 2:22-28
If I were asked what emotion I most associate with Christmas, it would probably be melancholy. Not sadness, but whatever feeling it is that accompanies “Christmas Time is Here” from a Charlie Brown Christmas. That lonely melody, to which a chorus of children sing “Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer, fun for all that … Continue reading Benediction: Luke 2:22-28
Benediction: Philippians 2:19-30
When the Tin Man sets off on his journey with his friends, he is led by questions — Can the Great Oz give me a new heart? If he can, will he? — When he gets to Oz the Wizard says he can, but he has conditions — prove your worth, overcome the enemy, bring … Continue reading Benediction: Philippians 2:19-30
Benediction: Philippians 3:1-14
In the Old Testament, God established many feasts and celebrations. These were often command performances — no opting out. Because God loves His parties, and while they are certainly for His people, they are not about His people–but about His provision, His love, His faithfulness. I have to imagine there were plenty of Jewish people … Continue reading Benediction: Philippians 3:1-14
Benediction: Philippians 3:15-21
Wendell Berry has characterized modern political discourse as “groups pressuring other groups to do the things they themselves are unwilling to do.” Certainly the way we vote should reflect the love we are called to as Christians, but if it is not accompanied by person to person expressions of that same love, what good is … Continue reading Benediction: Philippians 3:15-21
Worthy of Imagination 