Why Have We Fasted – Page 3

A small bug with a red head, black thorax, six red legs, and outsized black antennae clings to the petals of a pink flower. The background is blurred strips of green and grey.

Posted on April 22, 2022June 23, 2022

Introducing “View from the Pews” – Part 1

An attempt to pierce the echo chamber of church leadership and the ivory tower of theologians by providing a view from an ordinary pew-sitter. Starting with some articles on church leadership by Glenn Packiam and Ike Miller, and a post by Tim Keller on megachurches.

Three black-eyed Susans (yellow flowers with a black center) in a cascade against a backdrop of green leaves and brown wood chips.

Posted on April 15, 2022July 28, 2022

PSA – Following Jesus Doesn’t Require Special Powers

Those whom the world considers “ordinary,” Jesus invites to witness miracles. A reflection for Easter.

A the petals of a hydrangea flower have faded to brown with the arrival of winter frost. Viewed against the background of brown fallen leaves.

Posted on April 8, 2022July 28, 2022

Precision of Language – Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Forgiveness and reconciliation are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing, especially in the context of a body of believers.

A grey, cloth-bound book rests open atop a blue, cloth-bound book, which in turn rests upon a mahogany wood table. You can tell that it will smell of old books. The pages are aged and the top of the text fades into the background. The bottom two lines are decipherable: "Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen."

Posted on April 1, 2022July 14, 2022

Books of 2022 – Quarter One

Books I read in the first quarter of 2022, with some thoughts on each. Include scripture, fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and young adult literature.

New leaves sprout from a twig on a bush, against a backdrop of barren bushes. In the distance is a blue lake with blue mountains and a clear sky on the horizon.

Posted on March 25, 2022June 23, 2022

Signs of a Healthy Church (updated 4/25/22)

Using the workplace as an analogy for what to seek in a healthy church environment.

Three leaves of a strawberry plant form the shape of a cross, washed by morning dew. The leaves rest against a background of red-brown mulch on the forest floor.

Posted on March 15, 2022June 23, 2022

Let’s Do Better, Church

Miscellaneous thoughts for how we as a church can do better when proclaiming the gospel message.

Two children, their back to the viewer, climb to the top of a grassy sand dune.

Posted on March 11, 2022June 23, 2022

The Neglected VIP at Cana

This post aims to do a variety of things. First, to show the tension between precision in translations on the one hand and holding those same translations loosely on the other hand. Second, to reflect on the relationship between Jesus and his mother, Mary (the neglected VIP in this story). Third, to demonstrate when a regular habit of scripture reading led to fresh insights, even in an I-already-know-the-story moment.