One of my strengths is a teacher was a willingness to be uncertain…at the right times. When a student asked “What about this?” or “Why not do it that way?” I didn’t need my way to be the only way or the right way. Kids appreciated that, I think. Uncertainty doesn’t indicate weakness. In fact, […]
Continue readingGrace
…is a generous choice.
Continue readingNo Strings
I don’t think coercion is the best strategy for getting people to follow Jesus. Last time I asked a question: What comes to mind when you hear “…make disciples”? I’ll bet a lot of us picture some form of coercion. Maybe it’s guilt-laced, fear-based preaching. Perhaps it’s some sort of transactional “service” in which the […]
Continue readingA Simple Commission
What did Jesus ask us to do? He invited us to go and make disciples, right? And when we ask how we’re supposed to do that, He says, “Follow me.” “Live like I did. Do what I did.” Isn’t it really that simple? We do all sorts of complicated theology, spend endless hours parsing the […]
Continue readingDoing
…beats talking about doing.
Continue readingLabels And Differences
I use a wheelchair. If you notice that obvious fact, does that mean you’re labeling me? I don’t think so. Frankly, if you met me and didn’t notice the chair, I’d be a bit worried about you. It’s silly to pretend we’re all the same or to claim we don’t observe obvious differences like physical […]
Continue readingAren’t You Worried (Revisited)
Yesterday’s quote about choices and fear reminded me of the traffic we encountered on our 2013 tour of Florida. (Originally posted nine years ago) + + + The paparazzi greeted us in the hotel parking lot. Actually, it was two student reporters from the Florida University TV/radio operation, but it’s sorta fun saying paparazzi. One guy […]
Continue readingGood Choices
…aren’t based on fear.
Continue readingLines And Erasers
The last post about gate-storming prompted a couple of interesting responses. Rather than detailing those conversations, I’d simply like to leave you with a thought to ponder. I believe dividing the world into them and us is a mistake. I do it too often, but I believe it’s wrong. I have a sense that whenever […]
Continue readingGate Storming
Regarding yesterday’s post – it’s easy to oppose evil. Lots of horrible stuff in the world, like child sex trafficking for example, and it’s easy to get angry and want to go all Rambo about it. Easy to want to gather a group of like-minded folks and storm the gates, take down the bad guys, […]
Continue readingTwo Paths
Maybe we can change things without violence.
Continue readingA Community Garden
As a follow-up to last time (Gardening), I’ve read, and re-read, The Parable Of The Sower (and Jesus’ explanation that follows) several times this week. I’m not a theology guy, so I’m sure there’s a lot I don’t understand. But one thing is extremely clear. The soil conditions are pretty darn important. Jesus seems to […]
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