All cultures identify with children in a similar way. 10-year-old boys from different cultures have more in common than 30-year-olds. As we grow up, we acquire this sensibility that divides us. —Rowan Atkinson
As we grow up, we acquire this sensibility that divides us.
There is an irony to that statement. Perhaps it is ironic because in dividing ourselves from one another, we must… Read More
Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, once wrote about why he refused to sell advertising on his website. Here’s what he had to say:
I got a call from an advertising salesman, saying he’d like to run banner ads at the top and bottom of cdbaby.com.
I said, “No way. Out of the question. That would be like putting a coke machine in a monastery. I’m not doing this to make money.”
He asked, “But you’re a business. What do you mean you’re not trying to make money?”
I said, “I’m just trying to… Read More
Although we are many, we are one in Christ—and we belong to one another. —Romans 12.5
Sebastian Junger, in his fascinating book TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging, says:
“Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary. It’s time for that to end.
To say it bluntly, modern society seems to emphasize extrinsic values over intrinsic ones, and as a result, mental health issues refuse to decline with growing wealth. The alienating effects of wealth and modernity on the human experience start virtually at birth and never let up.”
The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of not belonging. —Mother Teresa
John O’Donohue said, “While our culture is all gloss and pace on the outside, within it is… Read More
Today’s Lent post is a video. It’s from a series I did last summer—13 weeks of preaching on the wild and untamed ways of the Holy Spirit. This particular message is titled, “Sails Up, The Wind Is Blowing.”
I hope you’ll take the time to watch it. The opening sequence (a prayer) is absolutely beautiful. And I think the message is timely, challenging.
Nobody in the audience says “Amen” during this sermon. In fact, everyone is quiet throughout the message (with the exception of a baby or two). The quietness might be the result of the opening lines of my sermon…
We pastors crave, we want “Amens.” Sometimes we joke about it and ask for them. Sometimes we just straight up plead with the people to give us “Amens.”
There is something encouraging and affirming about it. It’s nice to know people are with you—listening, and affirming what you’re saying…
And there’s also something about it… like, when I’m listening (to a sermon) and I say “Amen,” it’s quick. I mean ya gotta get that out there quickly right after the thing was said—and basically, what it means is, “I already knew that, I already believe that.” That’s something I recognize and it registers right away in my brain, “Yeah, that’s true.”
So, that’s what amen is saying. Like, “Yes, that’s true. Amen. Let that be.” It’s a very fast reaction that essentially means you didn’t learn anything new… because if you’re hearing something you’ve never heard before and you’re processing something that strikes you like, “What???” you’re not gonna shout out “Amen!” because you’re not really sure if you believe that thing yet.
And so part of my desire in this series is to have a few less “Amens,” and a few more, “Whaaaaattt???? What the heck?” I actually want that to be some of our reaction.
I wonder if we can we be open? Is it possible? And will we be?
Is there anything new we can learn? Or do we already… Read More
Suan (pronounced “swan”) is one of our youth leaders at church. His family is from Burma—and they have recently taken in a refugee from Burma to live with them. At our youth winter camp last month, I became curious about Suan’s family… wondering if perhaps they had been refugees themselves.
I asked Suan at camp, “Did your family immigrate to the United States, or did you come as refugees?”
Suan said they came as refugees. And then he told me their story:
When he was 10 years old, they boarded a small fishing boat with 50 people. They had nothing but the clothing on their backs and each other. He doesn’t know exactly how long they were on the water but he does remember how treacherous it was. And throwing up until there was nothing left in his stomach, then continuing to throw up nothing.
When they finally arrived on the shore, they were warned that men with machine guns might come and take them to use or sell as slaves. They were hidden in the jungle. There in the jungle, transportation arrived: a Honda Civic… and 15 people were loaded into the car (stacked in the back seat on top of one another, many in the trunk). They were taken to a safe place. From there, they eventually made it to Malaysia and were placed in a refugee camp.
They lived in the refugee camp for 2 years until finally they were given clearance to live in the United States. Today, Suan is a U.S. citizen. He has a job. He serves in the church.
And he has more joy than anyone I know.
Elizabeth Kübler Ross said:
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. —Philippians 4.12
Many of us consider what we could (should) give up for Lent. Some of us at least make an effort—to give up meat, or sugar, or coffee, or social media, or…
I wonder if the things we are temporarily giving up are little prophetic windows into our soul. I wonder if, on the deepest level, we know that our lives would be better without these things—altogether.
Consider this quote from German filmmaker Werner Herzog:
I do not have a cell phone, for cultural reasons. I do not want to be available all the time. I prefer to have a conversation with no… Read More
I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart. —Ezekiel 11.19
The picture above is from our recent youth winter camp. I was standing outside the meeting room at Suncadia Lodge, taking pictures of the students as I waited for the service to begin. There was a group of girls circled up, holding hands, and praying. I thought it was sweet—and I took a picture.
After the camp, I asked Bailey (the youth leader whose back is toward us in the picture) some questions about this little prayer circle: Were all the leaders given instructions to do this? Was this the only time you prayed with the girls? Bailey told me it was just her idea… and that she prayed with them like this before each service.
Now I love the picture even more. It represents such tenderness—a genuinely soft and responsive heart.
I had the privilege of… Read More
Today is a little different—rather than sharing from one of my favorite Lent devotional books, I will be sharing what I fondly call a tweetstorm. This one is courtesy of Sarah Bessey.
* * *
If you would’ve told me 10 years ago I’d be a straight-up devoted church lady, I’d have laughed in your face.
I was emancipated from church – who needs church? Apparently I did and I do and I always will. Look at all the ways God will surprise us.
One of the most important and doggedly hopeful things we have done as a family is to intentionally, simply, steadily stay put with our church.
Community is not the work of magicians or salesmen or brand ambassadors or performers or instant-wish-granters.
Community is like gardening: you prepare, you plant, you tend, you wait, you weed, you wait, you feed, you harvest and…
…you cycle through seasons of rich reward and seasons of seeming emptiness, seasons of work and waiting.
Simone Weil said, “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and the least recognized need of the human soul.”
We experience on a daily basis what it means to… Read More
I’m planning on blogging through the 40 days of Lent – sharing from some of my favorite Lent devotional books, as well as some of my own thoughts. Today’s post comes from Walter Brueggemann’s beautiful little book, A Way Other Than Our Own.
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. —Isaiah 55.6-7
The face of God shown here is of a Lord near at hand, ready to forgive, a God of grace. But this is a… Read More
There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried. —Oscar Romero
Divorce
Diagnosis of cancer
Husband who is not a believer
A child who is addicted to drugs
An unplanned pregnancy
Crippling anxiety
Losing a job
Being homeless, living in a car
Physical abuse in the home
Depression
Death of a child
Chronic pain
Dependency on… Read More
