Sarah Palin’s recent comments comparing waterboarding to the baptism of terrorists is creating quite a bit of online chatter. I, for one, would be offended – that is if I actually cared about her opinion. Most people (I hope!) don’t take her seriously as a spokesperson for Jesus or Christianity. So, she continues to dig her own political grave. As I was reflecting on her comments, however, I couldn’t help but remember that a similar method was used against my... Read more
[This article originally appeared in the Spring | Summer 2014 Journal (Vol. 12.1) Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation. This particular volume’s theme was “Wisdom and Aging” and offered several pieces on spiritual transformation from across the generational spectrum. I can’t recommend picking up a copy of this issue enough!] I was on the edge of giving up – deserted, doubtful, depressed, and done. At this point in my faith journey, I questioned everything: my trust in God, my love... Read more
[This article originally appeared in Prism Magazine (Vol. 19., No. 5 – Sept/Oct 2012). I am a huge fan of the work of ESA and Prism and highly recommend utilizing their resources!] How is it that we really make a difference in this world? A few years ago, while driving to a speaking engagement in Los Angeles, I flinched as an airborne object met with my windshield. Ding! The projectile smacked the bottom right-hand side of my windshield, leaving a... Read more
This upcoming school year I will be studying Christianity and Greco-Roman Religion at the University of Washington (in conjunction with our church plant). My goal, after getting some more religion/history/language classes under my belt, is to then move into Ph.D. studies in Roman History and New Testament. Essentially, I want to do what some scholars call “Empire Criticism,” defined: “…developing an eye and ear for the presence of Rome and the worship of the emperor in the lines and between the... Read more
In what follows I offer another reflection based on my time in Israel/Palestine with The Global Immersion Project. What a life-changing time and a life-changing organization to be connected to. I can’t recommend them enough! The old saying goes that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Art does something to free the imagination to dream of a different reality. Some things are so beautiful that we are left pondering the vast creativity of God and God’s universe. A sunset.... Read more
Having just returned from a peacemaking trip to Israel/Palestine, under the leadership of the Global Immersion Project, I’m thrilled to have them in my city! I’m hoping you will come hang out with us on April 24th (as a pre-seminar for the Inhabit Conference). Peacemaking has been disintegrated from the Church’s understanding of God, His mission, and our vocation. As a result, we misunderstand who God is, what God has done, and what God is seeking to do here and... Read more
I’m writing this article from Israel/Palestine. I’ve partnered with The Global Immersion Project to learn from peacemakers in the region in order to apply their vision of peace both at home and abroad. As you can imagine, visiting this place is life-changing. Even prior to this trip, my heart broke for the people of this land. Before I get into my broken heart, let me rewind about 10 years or so. In some ways the old me and the new... Read more
For the past couple of months I’ve been preparing for my first ever trip to Israel/Palestine. Visiting the Holy Land has long been a dream of mine (perhaps for most Christians), so when the opportunity came up, I’m glad I prepared with some great folks. With the guidance of my friends at The Global Immersion Project, I feel prepared for such a significant journey. For Christians, several reasons exist for a trip to Israel, of which I will name two.... Read more
Kurt Johnson, wrote an excellent piece called “Open Theism Simplified.” This doesn’t mean that the article is super-short, but that he did all that he could to take out any technical jargon to explain the open view. As many of you know, this is a perspective that I also hold to… that the future to God is one of possibilities not of fixed outcomes – because of human, creational, and angelic free will [check out: The Binding of God –... Read more
For the past several years I’ve been wrestling with my vision of church. Often, pessimism wins out. And, although I still believe that the church is the hope of the world – when it is in Christ – I still struggle to see the beauty of the kingdom throughout the greater church at times. I need to be careful here, because the temptation would be to act as though my church has it all figured out. In other words, it... Read more
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