Repent. Your Drivenness is at Hand.
September 27, 2009
If honesty is the best policy, then this is my best.
Below is a recent letter I wrote to my wife. I wouldn’t share it with you unless I thought it would be helpful on some level. We’re all so painfully human; you can probably relate:
Janine,
“I wanted to apologize for who I’ve been lately. I felt convicted this morning (while grinding my teeth on the bench press) that I haven’t been taking care of myself spiritually as well as I take care of myself physically. Actually, it’s more accurate to say I haven’t allowed myself to be taken care of. I’ve been living under warfare without help, without asking for help, believing the lie that it’s all up to me. I’ve been laboring under a bleak and heavy sky that does not contain God, or mercy. And when I suffer, you suffer. I’m so sorry. Read more
Hand-Crafted
September 23, 2009
photo by chrisjfry
I recently read this devotional attributed to John Ortberg that spoke to me concerning our search for identity within the body of Christ: Read more
If You Knew…
September 20, 2009
Sometimes, John Eldredge says it best:
“Everyone has been betrayed by someone, some more profoundly than others. Betrayal is a violation that strikes at the core of our being; to make ourselves vulnerable and entrust our well-being to another, only to be harmed by those on whom our hopes were set, is among the worst pain of human experience.
Sometimes the way God treats us feels like betrayal. We find ourselves in a dangerous world, unable to arrange for the water our thirsty souls so desperately need. Our rope won’t take the bucket to the bottom of the well. We know God has the ability to draw water for us, but oftentimes he won’t. We feel wronged. After all, doesn’t Scripture say that if we have the power to do someone good, we should do it (Prov. 3:27)? So why doesn’t God?
As I spoke with a friend about her painful life, how reckless and unpredictable God seems, she turned and with pleading eyes asked the question we are all asking somewhere deep within: “How can I trust a lover who is so wild?” Indeed, how do we not only trust him, but love him in return? There’s only one possible answer. You could love him if you knew his heart was good.” (The Sacred Romance, 70)
So how do you, dear reader, know that God’s heart is good?
How have you tested it?
Who is He in your Story?
The Gods Aren’t Angry
September 13, 2009
Film Review
Rob Bell strikes again. This full-length film puts the final nail in our collective coffin of guilt–with a strong message of reconciliation. (Run time: 1 hr. 28 min) Read more
There is a Way Things Work
September 6, 2009
Grandma bought Levi a remote control Monster Truck for his 6th birthday. What a hit. He loved, loved, loved it. Until the next day, when he broke the antenna. Then there was great wailing and nashing of teeth.
I didn’t berate him for his carelessness. I agreed with him that it was sad. And we sat there for moment together. There was no need to make him cry; I let him cry, my arm around his shoulder. The event was its own teachable moment.
Boys need to learn that there is a way things work, that physical exuberance is good, but that it’s even better when it’s paired with discipline and care. There is no good way to teach this to a boy by lecturing him. He must discover it for himself. He must test his strength against the strength of thin metal and find that he can indeed bend it with astonishing ease. A boy does well to discover stuff like this early in life, when the consequences are minor.
Someday Levi will have a real car–which he can also destroy with ease. Thankfully, he now has an inkling of how little force it takes to crumple metal, and by extension, flesh. And he has more to learn, of course…from his scooter, his bike, his go-cart…his girlfriend (someday).
There is a way things work. The journey from boyhood to manhood is all about getting this. Sometimes there is pain and loss. But always, I hope, there will be compassion, wisdom, and fathering too.
Because the journey never ends. We are, all of us, unfinished men…
Yes or No?
September 2, 2009
ConneXions Class, Sept. 5th
THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF SAYING…NO
“At least part of the pleasure of saying yes is knowing that someone wants you – wants to be with you, wants you to do something that you do well, wants to do it with you. Saying yes is how yo enter into relationship. It is how you create the future.
“This may account for the seductiveness of the word, especially in a ‘can do’ culture where the ability to do many things at high speed is not only an adaptive trait but also the mark of a successful human being.
“For these reasons and more, it is difficult to find many advocates for the spiritual practice of saying no. ’No, I want to stay home tonight.’ ’No, I have enough work for now.’ ’No, I have all the possessions I can take care of.’
“Depending on your temperament, your cultural conditioning and your circle of friends negations like these can sound like death wishes. If there is nothing more you want to do or have then why go on living? If you are going to say no to perfectly good opportunities for adding more to your life, then what is the point?
How does the practice of saying no nurture spiritual relationships for you? Have you tried it? What did it look like? I’m looking forward to exploring this with you this Saturday morning. These excerpts are from Barbara Brown Taylor (An Altar in the World).
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