Posts
Mirrors and Windows, Sins and Needs, and Christians Reflecting Poorly On Jesus
I tend to believe that most people who reject Jesus, don’t reject Jesus. They reject the strangely distorted version of him they experience through the lives of too many Christians.
We See You: In Appreciation of Quiet Children
This past weekend, I did what I’ve done most Sunday nights for the past 16 years; I shared space with a group of teenagers; lots of them. On a
Cutting Words: Hallway Bullying, Invisible Christians, and Sins of Silence
Yesterday the early, heart-stopping headline read, “22 INJURED IN KNIFE-WEILDING RAMPAGE AT PA SCHOOL”. The brief supporting text was about an as-yet unnamed student, unleashing brutally violent terror upon unsuspecting classmates; another wasteful,
In The Width Of A Breath: The Thinness of Life in The Grief Valley
It’s been six months since my father passed away suddenly while on a cruise with my Mom and brother. I’d like to say that things have gotten easier since then,
A Pastor Taps-Out On Fight Church, Tough Guy Preachers, And Macho Jesus
“TAPOUT FOR JESUS!” Yes,” I thought to myself, “that’s actually what he’s saying.” A few years ago, I took my students to a neighboring church as part of a partnership between their student
This Grey Faith: Prayer, Truth, The Bible, And Other Muddy Paths For Christian Pilgrims
I grew-up, as a child knowing Jesus. For as long as I can remember, I knew God made me, that He loved me, and that He sent His son
Complain And Abstain ("Noah", And Why Christians Fail In The Multiplex)
This past week reminded me of how we Christians tend to miss the point on lots of things once we step outside of the church; the movies, for example. The social media
Dear Least Of These (A Letter From A World Vision Defector)
Dear Least of These, I hope this letter finds you well. Thanks of the picture you sent me last month, and for the sweet message. I have it up on my refrigerator. Sorry to hear
Moms and Dads: Time to Unfriend Your Teenager
Way back in the Middle Ages when I was teenager, when I would say something particularly disrespectful or snarky to my mom, (which sadly, looking back, was far too frequently),
Valley Lessons: When God Doesn't Come Through
A few months ago, a well-known and well-respected actor died prematurely from an apparent drug overdose. His past struggles with addiction were well-documented, and so while his untimely passing was
5 Reasons Most Christians Won't Share This Blog Post
Looking back over my News Feed during 2013, and even at the year on this particular blog, I’ve come to understand that there’s a certain set of criteria by which
Have Yourself, A Merry Little ChristMESS.
So, the day is nearly here, and though you had dreams of picture perfect scenes of peace and goodwill, once again things haven’t quite panned out the way that you
Digesting A 3,000-Bite Elephant (Parenting, Leading, And Pastoring For The Long Haul)
Sometimes after a big meal, it’s good to rest and digest. I recently concluded an 8-year tenure as Student Pastor, in an amazing, beautiful, loving church community in Charlotte, and
For Those Shopping For A Spouse… Err, I Mean, House.
All’s fair in love and real estate… My wife and I recently spent ten hours over the past two days looking for a new home, as we prepare to relocate
Becoming A Selfless Person In A Selfie World
I have tons and tons of photos from my childhood; of family holidays, amazing vacations, important milestones, and ordinary days with friends. I’m even in many of them. However, something
Indiscriminate Grace (The God Of Low Standards)
When you read the Gospels; I mean, really dig deeply into Jesus’ ministry and see his patterns and methods, something quite unsettling becomes incredibly clear: He had very, very low
Freeing The Captive: Rescuing Christianity From The Online Damagers
I’m not completely sure where Hell is, or what exactly is happening there, but I’m fairly certain it will look a lot like the Comments section of every online article
Why The Greatest Evangelical Leader On The Planet… May Be Pope Francis
… and a little Catholic shall lead them. Most of our lives can be divided into two distinct identities: Who we say we are and who our life actually says
Mere Cushiantity: The Myth of Christian Persecution in America
Soft. If you’re a pro basketball or football player, that’s a downright dirty word. No one wants that label attached to their game, ever. The word soft, implies that you
The De-Elevation Of The Celebrity Pastor
Power ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. In the Bible (specifically in the Book of Acts) we see the early Christian movement in its infancy; the spectacularly un-spectacular beginnings of
In Appreciation Of The Haters
“Haters gonna hate.” It’s a refrain that you hear everywhere; from teenagers, star athletes, famous actresses, corporate executives, and yes, even from pastors. The H-word has now become the default
Grief Valley Lessons: When “A Better Place” Isn’t Better
Words are wild, unpredictable things. Often, ones delivered in love and designed to heal can wound terribly, especially when attempting to help someone dealing with death. In trying to help
Giving Ammo To Atheists: How The Church Is Wasting Daylight
OK, I know what we’re supposed to be doing here. As a pastor, I know that the intention of “The Church”, (the community of Christ-followers through the world), its purpose
Tell-Evangelism: The Gospel According To Me
So the disciples set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 Christian friend, when I say the word Evangelist, what comes to your
Mirrors and Windows, Sins and Needs, and Christians Reflecting Poorly On Jesus
I tend to believe that most people who reject Jesus, don’t reject Jesus. They reject the strangely distorted version of him they experience through the lives of too many Christians.
We See You: In Appreciation of Quiet Children
This past weekend, I did what I’ve done most Sunday nights for the past 16 years; I shared space with a group of teenagers; lots of them. On a
Cutting Words: Hallway Bullying, Invisible Christians, and Sins of Silence
Yesterday the early, heart-stopping headline read, “22 INJURED IN KNIFE-WEILDING RAMPAGE AT PA SCHOOL”. The brief supporting text was about an as-yet unnamed student, unleashing brutally violent terror upon unsuspecting classmates; another wasteful,
In The Width Of A Breath: The Thinness of Life in The Grief Valley
It’s been six months since my father passed away suddenly while on a cruise with my Mom and brother. I’d like to say that things have gotten easier since then,
A Pastor Taps-Out On Fight Church, Tough Guy Preachers, And Macho Jesus
“TAPOUT FOR JESUS!” Yes,” I thought to myself, “that’s actually what he’s saying.” A few years ago, I took my students to a neighboring church as part of a partnership between their student
This Grey Faith: Prayer, Truth, The Bible, And Other Muddy Paths For Christian Pilgrims
I grew-up, as a child knowing Jesus. For as long as I can remember, I knew God made me, that He loved me, and that He sent His son
Complain And Abstain ("Noah", And Why Christians Fail In The Multiplex)
This past week reminded me of how we Christians tend to miss the point on lots of things once we step outside of the church; the movies, for example. The social media
Dear Least Of These (A Letter From A World Vision Defector)
Dear Least of These, I hope this letter finds you well. Thanks of the picture you sent me last month, and for the sweet message. I have it up on my refrigerator. Sorry to hear
Moms and Dads: Time to Unfriend Your Teenager
Way back in the Middle Ages when I was teenager, when I would say something particularly disrespectful or snarky to my mom, (which sadly, looking back, was far too frequently),
Valley Lessons: When God Doesn't Come Through
A few months ago, a well-known and well-respected actor died prematurely from an apparent drug overdose. His past struggles with addiction were well-documented, and so while his untimely passing was
5 Reasons Most Christians Won't Share This Blog Post
Looking back over my News Feed during 2013, and even at the year on this particular blog, I’ve come to understand that there’s a certain set of criteria by which
Have Yourself, A Merry Little ChristMESS.
So, the day is nearly here, and though you had dreams of picture perfect scenes of peace and goodwill, once again things haven’t quite panned out the way that you
Digesting A 3,000-Bite Elephant (Parenting, Leading, And Pastoring For The Long Haul)
Sometimes after a big meal, it’s good to rest and digest. I recently concluded an 8-year tenure as Student Pastor, in an amazing, beautiful, loving church community in Charlotte, and
For Those Shopping For A Spouse… Err, I Mean, House.
All’s fair in love and real estate… My wife and I recently spent ten hours over the past two days looking for a new home, as we prepare to relocate
Becoming A Selfless Person In A Selfie World
I have tons and tons of photos from my childhood; of family holidays, amazing vacations, important milestones, and ordinary days with friends. I’m even in many of them. However, something
Indiscriminate Grace (The God Of Low Standards)
When you read the Gospels; I mean, really dig deeply into Jesus’ ministry and see his patterns and methods, something quite unsettling becomes incredibly clear: He had very, very low
Freeing The Captive: Rescuing Christianity From The Online Damagers
I’m not completely sure where Hell is, or what exactly is happening there, but I’m fairly certain it will look a lot like the Comments section of every online article
Why The Greatest Evangelical Leader On The Planet… May Be Pope Francis
… and a little Catholic shall lead them. Most of our lives can be divided into two distinct identities: Who we say we are and who our life actually says
Mere Cushiantity: The Myth of Christian Persecution in America
Soft. If you’re a pro basketball or football player, that’s a downright dirty word. No one wants that label attached to their game, ever. The word soft, implies that you
The De-Elevation Of The Celebrity Pastor
Power ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. In the Bible (specifically in the Book of Acts) we see the early Christian movement in its infancy; the spectacularly un-spectacular beginnings of
In Appreciation Of The Haters
“Haters gonna hate.” It’s a refrain that you hear everywhere; from teenagers, star athletes, famous actresses, corporate executives, and yes, even from pastors. The H-word has now become the default
Grief Valley Lessons: When “A Better Place” Isn’t Better
Words are wild, unpredictable things. Often, ones delivered in love and designed to heal can wound terribly, especially when attempting to help someone dealing with death. In trying to help
Giving Ammo To Atheists: How The Church Is Wasting Daylight
OK, I know what we’re supposed to be doing here. As a pastor, I know that the intention of “The Church”, (the community of Christ-followers through the world), its purpose
Tell-Evangelism: The Gospel According To Me
So the disciples set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 Christian friend, when I say the word Evangelist, what comes to your