I didn’t think twice about hitting the “Publish” button on 4 Reasons Christians Need to Quit Sharing Hoaxes that Monday morning. Up to this point, my modest little blog hadn’t seen more than 200 visitors in a day. I blogged because I enjoyed the process and writing has always been a way for me to really discover how I felt about an idea or topic. A few friends and family members read it (and whoever stumbled across it in their news feed), but... Read more
The early 90s were awash in books explaining why Generation X was abandoning the church. In a similar vein, there’s been no shortage of blog posts, books, and conferences about how Millennials are leaving, too. A portion of every generation has pushed the church to grow in areas of sin and weakness. From monastics urging the church out of the sinful cities and into the deserts, aggressive arguments over the sale of indulgences, fights for emancipation in Europe, women’s suffrage,... Read more
“Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world” [dropcap]V[/dropcap]ery few people are unfamiliar with John Lennon’s classic“Imagine.” John was a peace activist, feminist, megaphone for the redemptive power of love, and insufferable prick. By his own admission, Lennon was violent and neglectful during his first marriage and he was a terrible father to their son, Julian. “Dad could talk about peace and... Read more
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. . .” Romans 8:22 On the table in front of me is a vase full of lilies and daisies. I can already see the petals beginning to discolor. It’ll only be a matter of days before this gorgeous palette of colors conforms to the brown of decay. This is the way of the world—everything falls apart. Yesterday’s communication is today’s... Read more
Like the Sirens that tempted Jason and his Argonauts, the call of modern Christian “radicals” to give, do, or sacrifice more has beguiled many devoted, impressionable believers into the rocks. In Runaway Radical, Amy and Jonathan Hollingsworth weild a megaphone in the wilderness encouraging us to build a faith on something more profound than guilt and obligation. Call me jaded, but I generally don’t get too enthusiastic about books, but, as one often driven by shame, it was a strong, powerful tonic. I wrote a post... Read more
Jesus spoke pretty strong words about prayer, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”—Matthew 6:5–6... Read more
Never read the comments. This is a lesson I know, but always seem to forget. I had a blog post about modesty culture take off this week and I just couldn’t stop reading the comments. Here are some of my favorite comments (and the genders from whence they sprung): “‘Stop telling me how to dress!’ was uttered by no woman born of the Spirit and the word.”—Man “Any woman showing cleavage knows what she is doing and will answer to God if she... Read more
It was the last and final interview. I’d sat through two discussions with this woman already, and I knew that, not only was she going to be an incredible fit in the company, she was going to be an unbelievable asset to my team. As I was sure she would, she nailed the interview. I thanked and escorted her out, and came back into the room to debrief. I was completely flabbergasted when the first words out of his mouth where, “Does... Read more
There are very few historical individuals who I find more inspirational than Martin Luther King. It isn’t just that his words are some of western Christianity’s most spiritually potent, it’s that he was more than a man of words. He was on a powerful and incredibly articulated mission—one he was willing to die for. When it became unavoidable, his message shifted towards the war in Vietnam. As always, his words were consistent and honest. And because of his criticism of Vietnam, his support... Read more
According to Open Doors USA, an organization focused on Christian persecution around the world, every thirty days: 332 Christians are killed for the faith 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed 772 forms of violence are committed against Christians (including beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages) In light of statistics like this, it’s always amazing to me when I hear Americans talk about the persecution they are suffering. I talked a little bit about it last February in a... Read more
Honest to God
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