I hesitate to write this article for a variety of reasons:
The likelihood of offending brothers and sisters in Christ is great (though I do not wish to do so)
My views are contrary to the norm and may be used as fodder by enemies of the Cross to prove points I do not support
I am not [...]
Another infection that rears its ugly head in American Christendom is our tendency to define our faith by what we don’t do rather than what we do. “I don’t drink, I don’t chew, I don’t go out with girls who do.” I know, I know - this is an old saw and we’ve improved over [...]
Austin has been hot lately - the 100s have been the norm for a good while now. Supposedly we’re about to have a turn for some relatively cooler weather. It’s amazing how easy it is to get excited about 92 when it’s been 102 or higher for what seems like weeks. In most parts north [...]
I’m the worst sinner I know. It’s true - I don’t know of anybody who is a greater sinner than I. Paul called himself “the chief of sinners” - I feel the same way. I know of nobody whose heart is as dark as my own. I know of nobody whose thoughts are as bereft [...]
Yesterday’s post concerned the “Preface” (not the introduction… too many introductory sections in books these days). Today, I’m going to comment on the actual “Introduction” which is by the co-author, George Barna.
I struggle to comment on this introduction by Barna because, once again, I believe him to be sincere and, in no way do I [...]
I am not a person who likes to meet other people very much. I am (as I’ve stated multiple times in this blog) a rather anti-social individual. This, of course, begs the question… why on earth would God pick me to help plant a church? Surely there are more qualified people (yep). Surely, He could [...]
Yesterday, I satirized the post-modern missional church-planting movement. Let me remind you that I am actually a member of that movement. Many of those crazy things I said were minor exaggerations of things I’d actually caught myself thinking and some of them (I’m ashamed to admit), I’ve actually said out loud.
What brought on the mini-rant? [...]
In today’s church planting movement, almost everyone talks about “mission” and being “on-mission” and what it means to be “missional” or “relevant.” Mission is this really hip, and ultra-cool buzzword that, when used, evokes this sense of understanding in all those “in the know” that proves you are part of the in-crowd… one of the [...]
Okay - I’ve finally transcribed all the notes from all the sessions into the blog - reading back over them, there is much to expand upon (and some things just flat out won’t make sense until I do). This was easily one of the most mind-expanding and convicting events I’ve taken part in. God used [...]
Finally plenary - notes unedited
Revelation 21
Hopeful subversion - we should all specialize in this
In Revelation, rather than moving from the present to the future to determine the future, God moves from the future to the present.
The Holy Spirit moves from the future to the present
God’s future erupts into our present
6 Things the Spirit does to [...]
Hopefully, you see in these writings a man who is staying The Course and pursuing The Path amidst the pitfalls and selfish ways of being a son of Adam. I pray earnestly that my writing would encourage some of you by showing you that this journey - though arduous and sometimes tragic - is a journey of great satisfaction. A satisfaction greater than our greatest imaginings. The trials and refining fire of tribulation are to be recognized as a small shadow of the suffering of our Savior so that we can rejoice, as Peter and the disciples did, to be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name.