decontruction
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Pyramid Schemes & the Church
Biblical Christianity is not a spiritual MLM. “For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.”2 Corinthians 2:17 CSB The Biblical God does not need a pyramid scheme to be great. God was great before Continue reading
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Idolization of Family and a Better Hope
There are seasons when my feelings on how Christians view the family are in an uproar. God said to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. He promised Abraham innumerable descendants. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. I think it’s safe to say that God wants a big, diverse spiritual family. He Continue reading
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Narrative Change: God Was In Christ
The old narrative that my sin and the sin of the world overwhelms God has touched nearly every aspect of my life. The belief that God’s holiness is far greater and more lasting than sin is slowly pealing away this old narrative. Like pealing wallpaper, sometimes large pieces come off quickly and smoothly and sometimes Continue reading
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Does God need to be good to us?
“God didn’t need to [send Jesus to die on the cross, give us the Holy Spirit, preserve our faith, etc.].” If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a hundred times. *cue my nervous laughter* What are we actually saying when we say “God didn’t need to ____” and is it supported by Scripture? I Continue reading
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The Fence: A Poem on Salvation and Doubt
They say you’re either for or against;There’s no room for sitting on the fence. What about when I can’t enjoy my sin,But I don’t trust God – where’s he been?When my mind is consumed with doubtI plead to God for a way out. I’m waiting on the fence. All I hear is silence. The pastor Continue reading
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How doubt can be part of a believer’s journey to closeness with God
I told myself I’d give him a chance. People I love seemed to respect him. I wouldn’t make hasty judgements. I wouldn’t look for faults. I’d remain open to learn from him. But then he stood behind the pulpit and spoke. I groaned inwardly. Not 30 seconds had gone by and he reminded me of Continue reading
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Stolen Beauty
It’s there when a child lets out a final sighTheir tired body melts into their mom’s arms.It’s in the glow of a sunset in the skyGracing the horizon with intense colors. It’s in conversations, where in the mind’s eye,Lively thoughts dance effortlessly between us. It’s there when an old, happy couple walk byHand in wrinkled Continue reading
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Tangled Christmas Lights – Part 2
[Part 1 can be found here, and the TLDR could be that, untangling teachings around human depravity and humans being image bearers is even more daunting than untangling Christmas tree lights. I suggested that they can be untangled by rooting our identity in God’s work not ours. So rather than our core identity being sinners Continue reading
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Tangled Christmas Lights – Part 1
“The good news of the Bible is not that we are not worms, but that God helps worms who trust him.” ~ John Piper It’s a thought to chew on for sure. I feel like the teachings around humans being depraved and humans being made in God’s image are like tangled balls of yarn or Continue reading
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Worms, Rags, and Inherent Worth
“Read it,” my three year old son said as he hands me the crumpled paper from his fortune cookie. “‘The value lies not within any particular thing, but the desire placed on that thing,’” I read. My daughter asked the natural followup question: “What does that mean?” I think many Christians have heard sermons about Continue reading
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All the Time
Sigh. For me, anxiety comes when I see myself not get it right again. When I see I’m still struggling. When it takes longer than I want. I’ve started to remind myself there is time. Time is one thing I am not short on – Jesus has given me an eternity. It’s a little bit Continue reading
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The Field
I stumble to a stop in the middle of the field and nearly collapse to the ground. I look over my shoulder and see you strolling toward me with a gentle, knowing look in your eyes. At first I think this is perfect, I’m exhausted from my antics of trying to get you to leave Continue reading
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When I don’t feel safe with God
An open window into my thoughts last night because (if we’re honest) I’m sure many Christians feel similarly: I realized I was using sin to cope with feeling unaccepted. And it dawned on me – I truly sensed it – that I didn’t “need” that anymore to be/feel accepted. I was safe enough to let Continue reading
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throne of my heart
I thought I was bullying Youoff the “throne of my heart”every time I failed to obey You. I thought being a living sacrifice meant being tied to guilt for a lifetime. But now? I don’t think You would so easilygive up the throne You died to sit on. You’re there to stay. I’m the one Continue reading
The Worth Of Knowing 