I have a great relationship with scripture. I read it more than ever, and try more earnestly than ever to be shaped by its pages (though 'try' is the only honest word). But as a person who loves study and learning, it has also been a turbulent relationship. I have ridden great waves of high and low love and devotion for the Bible as I’ve travelled through my studies and explorations, which have often brought … [Read more...]
Silencing the Storm
To be spiritually healthy in today’s world, you’ll need to become some kind of minimalist. There’s just no other way to fit God in. He’s too big for the tiny gaps in our lives. Minimalism is no longer some radical alternative lifestyle for privileged people who want a simpler life. It’s essential. It’s survival. It’s sanity. Minimalism is basically about two things: possessions and attention. I’ve written before … [Read more...]
God Wants a People, Not a House
There’s an often-forgotten story in the histories of the Old Testament where David (the model Israelite king who went on to follow God with humility and honesty for most of his reign) wanted to build a house for God as an expression of worship. To the reader, this seems like a reasonable idea. Temples were a thing, and David was close to God, so he was probably on the right track, right? Later, we even read about … [Read more...]
Forgotten Father of the Faith
Most of us fear death too much to dwell on it without a good reason. We should remember, though, that it need not be fearful, even when pain is involved. Throughout history, many brave souls have stared the most frightful of endings right in the eye and smiled. For just a moment, imagine this: You stand condemned to death before a small crowd, naked apart from a girdle wrapped around your waist. Your legs are … [Read more...]