We live as exiles. We’re called to be pilgrims. I am journeying through Scripture chronologically, stopping at a few oases along the way, in order to contemplate our exile experience. I’ll also offer some helpful thoughts about how Christ can reshape that identity and reorient our journey so we live as pilgrims. To read earlier posts in the series, click here. * * * * * * * If you’ve ever been thrust into a disorienting new reality after years of... Read more
What would it look like if we were free to live beyond gender stereotypes? Western culture, circa 2013, offers a dizzying array of responses to that question. At one end of the spectrum: people like the Swedish parents who decided to keep their child’s gender a secret until the child settled on his or her own gender identity, or this UK pair, who have pursued a similar path for their child. These activists are bent on deconstructing social norms in... Read more
A few days ago, an old friend suggested that it may be incumbent on some of those in dysfunctional churches to advocate for change, suggesting that a confrontation or three may slow the growth of evil in these cancer-ridden organizations. (My paraphrase, not his words.) I pushed back. “Those who’ve been victimized by corrupt leaders may not have the strength (or calling) to [challenge corrupt leaders] – particularly when they’ve been ‘warned’ by the example of shunning and gossip that... Read more
A few weeks ago, I wondered if it was just me having the same conversation with multiple friends who’d confessed to rethinking their relationship with their local church – or if there were others over 40 years of age floating on the same little pontoon. I put together a little online survey, and quickly discovered that this wasn’t a little pontoon, but great big ship. The ship is so big, in fact, that I recognize my survey is a tiny... Read more
Earlier this week, Pastor Josh Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD, disclosed that he’d been a victim of sexual abuse when he was a child. The timing and context for this confession has something to tell us about the long-lasting effects of abuse in a victim’s life. Harris’ church was “mother ship” of the network of 80 or so churches churches of Sovereign Grace Ministries, though the congregation left the SGM family a few months ago. SGM was recently... Read more
I’ve received more than 400 responses to date from those over 40 when I queried them about their relationship with the local church, I saw a trend among respondents away from the same level of involvement they’d had a decade earlier. I’ve reported on what I was hearing from people who took the survey here, here and here. However, 28% are just as involved and 25% are more involved in their local church than they were a decade ago. Here’s what... Read more
I’ve been awake since 3 a.m., watching CNN’s coverage of the Moore, OK tornado. (Jet lag or midlife? Today, I’m pretty sure it’s the former.) My prayers are with the resilient people of the area, with those who are serving them today and beyond – and most of all, with those who’ve lost cherished loved ones. This world can be simultaneously dangerous and beautiful. The paradox is palpable for me every time we visit Israel, a land with a history... Read more
Last night as the sun set, Jerusalem silenced herself in the same way she does each Friday night. It is Shavuot (Pentecost), a day set apart to thank God for giving the Law to his pilgrim people at Mt. Sinai after he freed them from slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ disciples headed to Jerusalem as he told them to do just before he ascended to his Father. They would have wanted to be in Jerusalem anyway, as Shavuot is one of three yearly... Read more
What does living and vibrant faith look like? If I head out to the margins, the places at the edge of things where our messiness and Christ’s forgiveness meet, I find wonderful examples of people who’ve followed Jesus there. You and I may not sign off on each of these friends’ choices or convictions, but I hope their stories will spur you to wander out to the margins yourself. (If you do, let me know who you find there!) I was introduced... Read more
My husband and I are in Jerusalem for this week’s board meeting for the Caspari Center. This is our 6th trip to Israel. We arrived last Thursday, and spend a lovely weekend in Ashdod, grateful to be on the receiving end of some amazing hospitality in a perfect location on the Mediterranean Sea. The weekend was filled with lovely meals and interesting conversation, and was an introduction to a new-to-us part of Israel before we headed to Jerusalem last night.... Read more
Pilgrim's Road Trip
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