I have been following the Driscoll/Piper stuff lately, and have been angry along with everyone else. I may have even thrown out a few tweets of my own, to go along with all the other numerous angry ones floating around. And while I think there have been some very good critical posts that have been hopeful as well (Rachel Held Evens’ post, for example), this is by far the most inspring and hopeful response I have read. There is plenty to be angry about in the church. There is plenty that should make us angry. But I love the idea of channeling that anger into planting trees, and not another angry blog post.

As well, as a male, often my gut response to statement like Driscoll’s and Piper’s is often to make statements back at them, to show that I am not a male like them. But often, it seems, in some of my responses I end up using a tone that sounds more like them than I would like. I would much rather help my fellow sisters, and brothers, plant something new. This sounds nicer than screaming back at them.

Thank you again for these needed words today.

Luke

Oh how I want to participate in the Walking Wounded class. I’m going to try to get the money together.

Thank you for this post. I’ve been a little wound up about Piper again this week. My first gut reaction is one of anger…anger over the injustice and the brokenness of the system and what it is doing to women (and men). And then, I get sad and discouraged.

But…

I LOVE the metaphor of ‘planting new trees.’ That way of thinking is new, fresh, full of hope and life….beautiful.

For me personally, being in tune with/being in nature is the most spiritual experience (and I am fascinated with trees). That mental image is one I’ll definitely hold on to as I continue along my journey.