for the next month we are doing a series at the refuge’s saturday evening gathering focused on “doubt and faith.” i usually don’t do this, but i think i’ll write about it each week here as a little mini-series because i know so many of you can relate to this conversation in different ways. i […]
Read Moreserenity & courage
God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not […]
Read Morepractical theology
“Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” […]
Read Moresurvival of the fittest
well it was definitely an interesting week here at the carnival and i had no idea what a lovely little hornets nest would get stirred up. or i guess i did kind of know but am always amazed at the passion that comes out in the wildest of ways. i think the part that i […]
Read Moreit's easy to be against health care reform when you have insurance
note: this is part of the august synchroblog focused on christian’s response to health care reform. i haven’t participated in a while, but i thought i’d join in this month. links to other posts on the same topics are below. * * * * * i usually stay away from political topics here on the […]
Read MoreJesus school: not the most inspiring in town
many of you know that when i describe the refuge i use words like “messy, chaotic, honest, uncomfortable, unpredictable.” it is so funny to me, looking back on the past 3 ½ years how the world that i came from was completely different. on mega-church staff we used words like “focused, distraction-free, inspiring, dark-so-you-don’t-have-to-see-the-person-next-to-you, comfortable.” […]
Read Morea busy bee
ah, life at the escobar house is always an adventure. it’s been a good season for all kinds of refuge community fun, we’re on our last week of summer before the kids go back to school & our wonderful friends from portland–ken loyd & jessica roye from home-pdx in portland just left. they are seriously […]
Read Moreout of the darkness: the untold story of abused men
thank you all for your thoughts and love from my last out of the darkness post. i am always thankful to hear that somehow my story can offer hope to others in some small way. it is more redeeming than you know. i have appreciated this series and the wonderful stories of God-at-work-through-the-Body-of-Christ-when-it-becomes-safe-enough-for-what-is-in-the-darkness-to-come-into-the-light. this week’s […]
Read Morei-used-to-but-now-i
i have been thinking a lot about how much i’ve changed over the years. there are so many things i used to think, believe, be so sure of, that i no longer embrace. i’m thankful for where i was—in all its wackiness it did make me who i am today. and i’m thankful i’m no […]
Read Moreout of the darkness: the "A" word–abortion
it’s summer, and i’m definitely down to posting once a week at best; that’s plenty for right now. i have been in the midst of typical refuge nuttiness, which i am trying to really embrace as the glory and beauty of real community together. life in the trenches, healing, growing, learning, giving, stretching is hard […]
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