Where Others have Gone Before
There are times in life when we think we're unique, brave pioneers, but after some sober-minded reflection, we realize our journeys are rarely exceptional. Over time, others have joined us on this lonely highway of discovering new paths in the journey of life and faith.
How we Mend
We rarely identify with Zachaeus, a wealthy tax collector who used the system to steal from his neighbors. After reading Mend: An Invitation from Jesus to Return to Land-Based Repair by Jodi Spargur, I see a parallel story of Zachaesus and modern settler Canadians. The story of his redemption could serve as a template for us in our own repentance as a country and in mending the relationship with the First Peoples of the land.
Eyes, Teeth & Charlie Kirk
Critics of the faith often cite scripture passages to invalidate the idea of a loving God and creator. There are several passages for them to choose from, one of them being, "Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise," found in the Hebrew scriptures in the book of Exodus.
The Races We Quit
Longevity is admirable, but it can also become an idol that doesn't deserve as much attention as it gets. If you're running a metaphorical marathon ordained by religious or partisan adherence, take a breather, step off to the side, and take a good look at the race as it keeps going around and around in circles.
Safe to Share?
One of the most satisfying experiences I've had as a leader is having a team member share their goals and aspirations after working with me. I’m pleased because they feel safe to do so. Obviously, I'd like that person to stick around forever, but I'm happy to be seen as a person who's safe to share dreams with.
The Good Kind of Explosions
I'll be honest, I'm often overwhelmed by what's happening in Gaza and Ukraine. I feel powerless, frustrated, and angry. I’m furious at the lack of imagination in addressing these conflicts. The acceptance of violence is the greatest failure of humanity.
John MacArthur was Late
In many ways, we're all late to the party of grace. We all waste a lot of time building exclusive lists that include the names of people who we believe "get it" and pass our doctrinal purity tests.
Pentecost and DEI
There are three triggering letters in the alphabet that evoke strong reactions among some in the circles of conservative Christianity. Those three letters are D, E, and I.
Religion Management
Love is much more difficult because while it doesn't rely on the science of judgment, it follows the path of art. How do you know when you've achieved what you're intended to experience?
Route to Heaven
A Parable…
Wide is the freeway driven by many… A road chosen by multitudes of kings and queens who ride solo in steel carriages, separate from the rest of the world.
Easter and the Impossible
Easter is also a challenge. Jesus rising from the dead is a miraculous starting point. It's not the end of the story. We are invited into the story to create life wherever we go. There's a saying from the black church tradition, "Wherever you go, leave a little heaven behind you."
Death: Our Mutual Connection
Death is an erasure of creativity and potential. When someone you know dies, the plans you had with them…die with them, never to return. Death scribbles dark ink over our well written plans and dreams for the future.
Traffic, Idols & Resistance
Do you really need Facebook, X, or TikTok? Can we live a life free of Amazon? Should Elon Musk have over 7000 satellites orbiting the Earth? Do partisan politics actually make you feel healthy?
Beds and Landfills
The bodies of the victims have been removed from the landfill and returned to their communities. The wrong done to these women is a documented reality, but the decision to return and find them is a redemptive thread woven into this story's fabric.
Heretics in the Wild
…My friend was upset because my stance had opened the fence of a well-manicured lawn of cultural comfort. A culture with clear parameters of what is acceptable and what is not. I was allowing the wild to enter a domesticated region of belief.
The Blood of Vikings
You, my friend, are the legacy of survivors. The eyes that read these words contain DNA autographed by generations of survivors from all over the Earth. Your bloodline contains strength.
Why California Burns
When tragedy strikes, it’s like looking at a table full of broken puzzle pieces. We feel compelled to put these pieces together in order to explain an overwhelming crisis. We want to know why it’s happening and who to hold accountable. More often than not, we deceive ourselves into thinking we’ve connected the pieces perfectly.
Jordan Travels New York
I love to travel and tell stories about what I’ve experienced. My dream job would involve both. With that said, I believe it’s always important to not wait for your job to provide an outlet to do the things you love. So, I do make travel content.
Christmas Clinometer
Christmas is the time to stop and train our eyes to see hope again. It's also an invitation for all of us to work towards a world where peace is the norm.
God and Paint Brushes
There is something so special and powerful about a child creating art. He painted a bright yellow sunshine, green grass, and a tree. In my eyes, my son painted the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen.