Blog Posts

Benediction: Truth or Dare

How fascinating is it that the game “Truth or Dare” exists? The whole premise of this game is that as often as not, we’d agree to do some unknown, humiliating and shameful task in front of other people, instead of risk making ourselves known. But why does anyone ever choose to play this game? Why… Continue reading Benediction: Truth or Dare

Benediction: Sabbath

I know for me, the greatest hindrance to Sabbath rest is fear. What would happen if I paused? Because I’m addicted to the suffocating idea that I’m somehow in control. Or, if I’m not, it’s something in my life — my boss, my spouse, my kids, my parents, my culture, someone in government, my plans… Continue reading Benediction: Sabbath

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: 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

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

Essay: “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 Essay: “Lift Up Thine Eyes”