Jacob was one persistent cuss.He was the second born twin who came out grabbing his brother’s heel. He snookered his brother out of a birthright. Then, for good measure, he swindled his dad, taking all the blessing for himself.Jacob persistently worked for seven years to win the hand of the lovely Rachel, only to discover … Continue reading Persistence and God’s Calling (reflection on Genesis 32:22-32)
Month: August 2013
Trust But Verify – A Research Project
Pastors have a bad reputation for telling tall tales. It's not because pastors intend to deceive. Rather, we are, by nature, storytellers. We are also constantly under pressure to have inspiring material for sermon illustrations. When we hear a good story that illustrates a point, we'll use it. Unfortunately some of these stores turn out to … Continue reading Trust But Verify – A Research Project
How is Peter Rollins Like Doug Wilson?
"Excuse me, Russell, did you just compare Peter Rollins with Doug Wilson?"Peter Rollins, the Irish post-Christian thinker who wrote The Idolatry of God as an earnest call to lay down our “addiction to certainty and satisfaction.”Doug Wilson, the Christian reconstructionist who regularly debated atheist Christopher Hitchens on the lecture circuit.These two are polar opposites. How … Continue reading How is Peter Rollins Like Doug Wilson?
God Calls Us To Be A Blessing
All Abram received was a call to “go”Look it up, Genesis 12:1.God didn’t give him much more than that in the way of instruction. Just go. But God made promises to Abram.One of those promises dealt with the whole church: the promise that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Both Peter (in Acts … Continue reading God Calls Us To Be A Blessing
4 Great Niche Museums For the End of Summer
Yes, I’m that dad.The one who drags his long-suffering wife and children to every historical marker, battlefield, and museum he can find. Our vacation trips are invariably lengthened by my “enforced educational opportunities.” It’s my way of passing on my own distinctive style of geekery. They’ll thank me someday, really.With that in mind, I’m recommending a … Continue reading 4 Great Niche Museums For the End of Summer
YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (part 2)
Contrast the void of hedonism with the headiness of accomplishment. Qohelet gives accomplishment three times the attention as hedonism. “I undertook great projects…” he says, and then catalogs what he has done: building, planting, accumulating, creating culture. Qohelet proficiently executes the cultural mandate of Genesis 1: 28 “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and … Continue reading YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (part 2)
YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 (Part 1, v 1-3)
YOLO. It stands for “You Only Live Once.” It was a motto for the millennial and younger generations, though now it has become passé through overuse. If you’re over 40 and have not heard YOLO, think “carpe diem” – seize the day. YOLO had its brief moment in the sun in late 2011 and early … Continue reading YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 (Part 1, v 1-3)
God Doesn’t Call You to Prosper … God Calls You to Build
The wealth and prosperity gospel says that God wants you to prosper. But the Bible tells us something different. The Bible tells us to build. God gave an initial charge to humanity: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of … Continue reading God Doesn’t Call You to Prosper … God Calls You to Build
The Pastor as “Curator of Inspiration”
I’m playing around with a way of framing the work of a pastor – perhaps you’d be willing to help me out? I suggest that a part of the role of the pastor is to serve as a “curator of inspiration” Let’s break it down – starting with inspiration. First, there is the theological sense … Continue reading The Pastor as “Curator of Inspiration”
Horizons of the Possible 