Last night I was privileged to participate in a panel discussion about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer because Taproot Theatre here in Seattle is running a play about his life right now. Four of us came prepared to share with the audience some of the ways Bonhoeffer has influenced our lives, along with favorite quotes. This was followed by a Q&A and discussion. I hope it was a good evening for others. I know it was rich for me. Bonhoeffer... Read more
While our nation’s “brightest and best” continue to engaging in embarrassing political posturing, I was privileged last night to enjoy a cup of tea with a dignified British woman who’s at the end of her ninth decade, whose husband fought bravely in WWII, and then worked to help Germany rebuild, both physically and spiritually. I’m talking about Joan Thomas, wife of the late Major Ian Thomas, who founded the Torchbearer Missionary Fellowship, of which I’m privileged to be a part.... Read more
While our nation’s “brightest and best” continue to engaging in embarrassing political posturing, I was privileged last night to enjoy a cup of tea with a dignified British woman who’s at the end of her ninth decade, whose husband fought bravely in WWII, and then worked to help Germany rebuild, both physically and spiritually. I’m talking about Joan Thomas, wife of the late Major Ian Thomas, who founded the Torchbearer Missionary Fellowship, of which I’m privileged to be a part.... Read more
In the church I lead, I’ve been teaching from II Corinthians 3 and 4 these past weeks, and have been struck once again by the active verbs of 3:16,18 – which are “turn” and “behold.” The promise that our transformation comes from our ongoing growth in intimacy with Christ. We turn to Christ; He transforms us. The simplicity and assurance of this path is, for me, perhaps the most encouraging truth in the New Testament because I’m liberated from having... Read more
“Behold, I make all things new.” -Jesus the Christ Do you remember (either the book or the movie) in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, the part where the thaw begins? Do you remember later, when new life sweeps through the corrupted castle, bringing to warming that which was frozen? Do you remember that none of this is possible unless Aslan, the Christ figure, is risen from the dead? (more…) Read more
Have you ever woken in the middle of the night with your head swirling around ideas, obligations, unresolved questions, to-do lists, the previous day’s failures, possible opportunities, possible meltdowns, etc. etc? Me too. It happened last night around 1am, four hours into my sleep (yes–I go to bed early, with the elderly). Suddenly I’m wide awake, and the soothing rains of the early evening are now howling storms–a metaphor for the way the winds of worry can also roar through... Read more
What if the story about the guy who builds extra towers for his grain is more literal than we take it to be? We can go to a morning Bible study and consider this story, and reinforce the principles that are in it by talking about Jesus’ exhortation to not worry about the future and then, after praying, we’re somehow able to stick around at Starbucks, sipping our $4.00 drinks and talking about our 401-k plans, sharing investment tips and how we’re building our portfolios. Read more
What if the story about the guy who builds extra towers for his grain is more literal than we take it to be? We can go to a morning Bible study and consider this story, and reinforce the principles that are in it by talking about Jesus’ exhortation to not worry about the future and then, after praying, we’re somehow able to stick around at Starbucks, sipping our $4.00 drinks and talking about our 401-k plans, sharing investment tips and how we’re building our portfolios. Read more
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater” – Isaiah 55 Sometimes it rains up here where I live in the Northwest corner of the USA. Big wet clouds pour in off the pacific, emptying themselves in our lowland valleys with what, around this time of year, can feel like an incessant downpour. It’s why... Read more
It’s available for all of us. It’s not contingent (thank God) on circumstances. It’s able to move us, faster than a glacier, but slower than jet, towards a quietness and confidence that enables us to be people of hope. Every. Single. Day. I’m talking about the new covenant, which is the topic of our present sermon series at the church where I teach. Who’d have thought that, in the midst of career crises, housing crises, financial crises, global security crises... Read more
Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything
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