We're taking a few days to identify true things in popular culture (because not doing so makes it too easy to become catechized by the world). When we attune our hearts to the gospel, Hollywood is transformed from a battle zone into an armory. 1. Burden Bearing from The Return of the King As one... Continue Reading →
The funny thing about the gospel is that it's everywhere if you know how to look; the world can't help but seep gospel out of its pores. Even those set most adamantly against Christ echo His song faintly. Creation, fall, redemption, restoration, grace, shame, transforming love, rebellion, community, rescue, chaos, beauty, the war between good... Continue Reading →
"Though [death] come, God came first and in Christ has walked through it before us and walks through it with us. The good Shepherd who daily bears our burdens bears this burden as well: He carries us through death and into life." (Kimberlee Conway Ireton) Our culture is terrified of death, so we pump ludicrous... Continue Reading →
Your fingers hold tight to the pebble you picked up in the most important moment of the life you just left. They say you can't take anything with you, but no one ever seems to remember the rock. Bubbling with excitement, you scan the crowd and take it all in—you'd never imagined so many different... Continue Reading →
For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the... Continue Reading →
Aquariums creep me out. You go look at a bunch of water animals as they either stare back all glassy-eyed or hide nervously, one curious toddler away from an aquatic psychotic breakdown. The plaques are cool, though. You can take your time and learn more about what lurks in your local lakes than you ever,... Continue Reading →
Fall foliage is kind of a big deal in New England; people come up here from all over to go "leaf peeping." (Not super sure why it's considered 'peeping' rather than 'ogling.' In Oklahoma, we would go on straightforward "foliage tours," where the whole point was to take in as much color as the scrubby... Continue Reading →
I've been dwelling on the gospel lately: what it is and what it means. If you just glance at it as it rolls by like hills on a road trip, you'll be robbed of the full force of the truth. Sure, creation, fall, redemption, restoration—the gospel—it's important on Sunday morning, but what about on a... Continue Reading →
Our church just wrapped up a series on Psalm 23, but my fleece-covered heart isn't quite finished processing it yet. I need to sit in those truths just a little longer, let the Shepherd do what He does. The marvelous thing about Scripture is that we never really "master" it—the more we grow and learn... Continue Reading →
I went to my first training for church planters' wives last week and have been processing ever since. If you don't mind, I'd love to share a new tool I picked up that I've used several times already: what I call the fig leaf exchange. Let's set the scene. Pastor Pete Briscoe says that "religion... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 