If Grace is a free gift of God, then why should a Christian worry about participating in the means of grace? When I think of the means of grace, I sometimes think of two metaphors. They are both far from perfect, as all metaphors are imperfect, but they help me to grasp the importance of… Continue reading Means of Grace
Category: Living Our Faith
He Gets Us: Lost Opportunities
I didn’t intend to address the He Gets Us campaign here. It’s bad enough that every time I log into Reddit, I’m bombarded by He Gets Us promotions. But after their Superbowl commercial, I’ve gotten a few questions from friends about my thoughts on it. I’m a theological marketing guy – more accurately I’m a… Continue reading He Gets Us: Lost Opportunities
Walls and Razor Wire are Never the Answer
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7, NSRV I’m a mystic. That is a… Continue reading Walls and Razor Wire are Never the Answer
Affinity, not Dogma
What is the purpose of your faith community? Why do you go to church? What is the point? Some people attend church because they are seeking the right rules to follow. This is the genius and the paradox of Protestant Christianity in America. There is a new denomination for every unusual belief you might have.… Continue reading Affinity, not Dogma
Things Jesus Never Said
What does it mean to be a Christian? You get baptized, you take communion and you follow Jesus. I’m OK if you don’t want to do the first two as long as you do the “follow Jesus,” one. But following Jesus is really the hard one. It’s so hard that a lot of Christians would… Continue reading Things Jesus Never Said
Graffiti in the Forest
The direction of our faith expressed through the Bible comes to us through very human hands. Imagine walking through a wintery Colorado forest with a friend. Just as the wind rustles through the branches of the pines, dusting you with sparkling bits of snow, you feel God’s presence and hear God’s voice more clearly in… Continue reading Graffiti in the Forest
Giving Gifts Cards to God
What do you get for a God who has everything? Every year in June, I turn another year older. I tell my wife Susan to let our family and friends know that I don’t want any party or gifts. She lovingly reminds me that it’s not my birthright to command how or what the people… Continue reading Giving Gifts Cards to God
Does Prayer “Work?”
A close family member who was raised Christian, but is now an atheist, told me once over dinner, “it’s funny, but even though I don’t think it does anything, I still pray when I’m worried or stressed.” I see no paradox. I’ve prayed daily since I was a child, yet there are many times I’ve… Continue reading Does Prayer “Work?”