today i am guest lecturing in two classes at asuza pacific university on down we go: living into the wild ways of Jesus. it’s pretty fun that they’ve used it as a class textbook this semester, and i’m really interested to hear more about what it stirred up. when i was reflecting today on this […]
Read More"just bring me a shot glass" & being ourselves in community.
as someone whose mantra is “downward mobility,” i’m guessing it’s crossed some minds out here how i reconcile my life as part the refuge with my life that includes flying all over the world and doing all kinds of appearing-not-so-downwardly mobile things. it crosses my mind, too. it’s been quite a wild ride for me […]
Read Moretolerating, valuing, embracing.
“this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters..dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 john 3:16, 18 this past saturday night at the refuge my […]
Read Moremissing in missional: we need more stories like these…
* a few months ago chris chappotin asked a question to a few of us on twitter–”what’s missing from the missional conversation?” i’m not the best twitter-er, but i responded with the first thing that came to my mind: more real stories. he asked if i’d write a post about it for a missing in missional […]
Read Moremissional pastoring head rattles
* i love my friend phil shepherd, aka, the whiskey preacher. he and his wife stephanie know the cost and beauty of nutty-in-the-trenches-with-people church planting. whenever we are together it feels like a gift; i always leave feeling a little less crazy, a little less alone. a few months ago he asked me to […]
Read Morewhy the word "missional" bugs me.
i know the word “missional” is popular in a lot of christian circles these days. it has gained traction as churches are attempting to become more outwardly focused. now, there are all kinds of groups, networks, ministry initiatives, new book lines, and other programs dedicated to challenging the church to become more “missional.” even though […]
Read Morefriendship heals.
“i no longer call you my servants, i call you my friends” – Jesus in april i was honored to be part of the first sacred friendship gathering in chicago, coordinated by my friend dan brennan, who is a brave & amazing advocate for cross-gender friendships. when i got home from the gathering, i entered into […]
Read Morecruise ships, sail boats & holey dinghies
one of my friends calls the typical contemporary typical church-system “the big ship.” they’re strong & powerful & plow through the ocean with confidence. they are dazzling and entertaining. many of us have been on that ship in some way, shape or form, hanging out on the deck enjoying the ride called “church-as-we-knew-it”. but over […]
Read Moreof logs and stones
“let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” john 8:7 “why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” luke 6:41 “do to others as you would have them do […]
Read Morelove's the thread & it's stronger than we think
i love the book of colossians; i’ve shared here before that when my kids were little we had the NIV kids club cassette tapes (yes, we’re old) and i can pretty much sing all of chapter 3. each of these verses is a separate song: “13 – therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly […]
Read More