This week I found myself reflecting on six profound sayings from the book of Proverbs that shed light on what an ambitious pursuit of leading a quiet life looks like. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul is inviting the Thessalonian churches, and ultimately us, to live permanently in a state away from the strain of normal societal human encounters and activity. It is not an invitation to escape, but an invitation into stillness (time, dependency, and relationship) with God the Father.... Read more
In a digital world, I fear that we have forgotten what it means to be rooted in reality. As I grew up, I found myself fascinated by sci-fi films depicting interconnected computer systems. The computer systems in movies like Star Trek and War Games differed radically from the ones I used at school, inserting black, floppy, five-inch disks to play games like Moon Patrol, Number Munchers, and Oregon Trail. Although we understood that computers would be an inescapable part of... Read more
On April 1, I celebrated two years as the pastoral leader at River Corner Church, a small church that meets near where the Conestoga River meets the Susquehanna River in Conestoga, Pennsylvania. While this is not a long tenure by any means, nor is it even the longest I have served as a pastoral leader in a context, it is an anniversary worth celebrating. After serving as a pastor for seven years in one context, and serving on the preaching... Read more
This week, I have been reflecting on a secondary wisdom of minding our own business in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. I got there looking at all the books I am reading. I have developed a troubling habit of diving into multiple books simultaneously. Dog-eared pages mark my progress books that rest on the stand next to my bed, other books litter my home desk, and even more, books are scattered across my workspace at the office. Additionally, the backpack that I... Read more
I will speak more about Matthias Grünewald and this masterpiece a bit later in this post, but for now, just notice his work. Take in and notice whatever you find arresting your mind. As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, we are reminded of the profound significance of this day in the Christian calendar. It is a day when we commemorate not only the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal life, but also the culmination of his earthly mission.... Read more
If you are not familiar with the name George Fox, I offer a small and incomplete introduction. Fox was known for his radical views on justice, equality, the Spirit-filled life, and peace. He faced much persecution for his beliefs and spent much of his life traveling and preaching, inspiring a movement that emphasized simplicity, integrity, and each individual’s relationship with the Spirit of God. Those who followed him were often referred to as Quakers (for their experiences with the Holy... Read more
In a bit, I am going to tell you about Shattered by Rip Wahlberg. Rip Wahlberg’s Shattered is a book that explores what it means to survive and thrive after the worst pains of life. However, first I want to tell you why Shattered by Rip Wahlberg is a book of a different flavor. I find Shattered by Rip Wahlberg different, because it is an authentic testimony in a marketed world. It is a book that someone truly has found joy... Read more
After rereading Here and Now by Henri J.M. Nouwen, I was reminded how much prayer can become a tool to navigate the tempest of busyness. In busyness we lose our soul, in busyness we are robbed of joy, and in busyness we fail to celebrate in gratitude – we can only lament which we do not yet have or have not yet taken. I found myself reflecting that there was a time that when someone used to ask us how... Read more
The church is in the Lent season, a period of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Though I did not grow up in church movements that celebrated Lent, nor was I shaped in a movement that had a regular practice of the liturgical church calendar, I have come to appreciate Lent. Even more, I have often thought of this as a season that invites us to do an inventory of our lives. Inventory is “an itemized list... Read more
Recently, this soundtrack has encouraged me to lead a quiet life. Music has consistently held a significant role throughout my life. I curate soundtracks and playlists tailored for road trips, vacations, and each distinct season of the calendar. Certain songs become fixtures in my life, echoing the sentiments of a particular moment in time, causing them to be played on repeat. Music, for me, at times transcends the ordinary and carries with it a divine connection to God, an instrument... Read more
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