While listening to the latest TNT episode with Two Friars and a Fool (TFAAF) on why we should never pray again, I kept thinking over and over to myself that this is such interesting stuff. Just asking the question ‘what is prayer?’ is so much fun. It’s really important stuff to think about, and I … Read more about In Defense of Prayer and Interiors
Dallas Willard, Evangelical Salvation, and the Spirituality of Resistance
"Isn’t the whole point of Christianity salvation? Not in terms of being “saved” from “eternal fire” but in terms of being saved from bondage, shame, fear, injustice, and all the other hells around us all the time… so that we can become new beings and find our true identities to “save” this world and … Read more about Dallas Willard, Evangelical Salvation, and the Spirituality of Resistance
God in the Darkness
It has been a crazy week to join the Homebrewed crew, and I didn't feel like I could let it go by without at least somehow addressing some of the events of this week, especially those in Boston, a hometown of mine and the place to which I'll be returning this summer... Perhaps this will … Read more about God in the Darkness
Day 9: My Soul Is Fried
I was a young pastor, in my mid-20s, and ministry was going pretty well. I worked a lot of hours and put out a lot of energy, but I also saw a lot of fruit. Then one day I lost my joy. I didn’t know where it had gone - but it was gone. I read that one of the fist signs of depression is when … Read more about Day 9: My Soul Is Fried
Fake Picture, Real Prayer and God’s Wrath
So it has begun. Hurricane Sandy is only one day in to its battering of the East and the religious have weighed in. I will warn you - it's not good. The first thing that caught my attention was a fake picture of 'the storm' over NYC I was introduced to this photo by a worker at our … Read more about Fake Picture, Real Prayer and God’s Wrath
Rape, Republicans and God’s Will
Yet again a Republican candidate has come out with an outlandish comment about rape that has drawn widespread criticism from those outside the ideological bubble. The most recent incident was from Indiana Congressman Richard Murdoch during a debate this past week. This is the latest in what has … Read more about Rape, Republicans and God’s Will
God of New Beginnings… a prayer
God of New Beginnings meet us here today and provoke something new again. So often we pray “make us more patient” and yet at the first sign of a challenge our complaints begin In our complaints begin again. In other prayers we we mouth the words “God of love teach us to love more fully” yet when … Read more about God of New Beginnings… a prayer
Wild Goose or Mild Goose?
This past weekend I got to participate in one of best and most interesting experiences of my christian life - Wild Goose West. This was the festival’s first venture to the left coast and it did not disappoint! Billed as an intersection of 'Art, Justice, Music and Spirituality', the Goose brought … Read more about Wild Goose or Mild Goose?
Who Believes in Miracles? Prayer and the Practice of God’s Presence
I know at least three people who believe in miracles: Marjorie Suchocki, Bruce Epperly and I do. I have written several times about holding onto the miraculous (as well as dealing with demons and skirting 'Satan') - both as Bible reading Christians and as ministers in the 21st century - even after … Read more about Who Believes in Miracles? Prayer and the Practice of God’s Presence
Worried about Worship
In the past several week I have read three interesting blog posts about worship. The first was from theologian James K.A. Smith with An Open Letter to Praise Bands The second was from Tony Jones guest posting at PoMoMusings on the next 100 years The third was from Tara Burke over at … Read more about Worried about Worship
Is it tough to blame John Piper for his tornado theology?
I grew up in the Midwest and tornado season was terrifying. I have never been in one but when the conditions are right the air is ominous. I was on my lunch break today and I went to the Weather Channel website to read a fascinating set of articles about the conditions that contributed to last … Read more about Is it tough to blame John Piper for his tornado theology?
She Who Is Not
Last week I had a post about language and God talk. It was called Horse Gods and it incorporated C.S. Lewis' poem "A Footnote on All Prayers". Part of what came out of that was an exchange with J.W. about pronouns, the Bible, and Inspiration. I wanted to transfer some of that over here (I have … Read more about She Who Is Not