Church is too often the most risky place to be spiritually honest. – Peter
Enns

It’s a challenging statement. And yet, most of us know exactly what it
means. Of course, we are complex beings, thoroughly connected: body, mind,
spirit. So being spiritually honest can be as difficult to as revealing our
mental illness, our emotional insecurities, our addictions.

How does this risk exist in too many churches? What contributes to our
mask-wearing? Perhaps some of the following are true…

* Do we expect only joy should be expressed in corporate worship?
* Do we say “how are you?” with any intention of hearing what’s true –
regardless?
* Do we believe that Christ-followers should never feel depression,
anxiety or suicidal ideation?
* Do we value closure and convincing over journey and process?
* Are we afraid our question of faith… Continue reading →

I hope you’ll watch the above video – if only for the lyrics. 

I want to see the LOVE. The all inclusive Relationship of God – the Triune God washing over all created beings. We can demonstrate his LOVE. We can embrace relationship the way GOD created it. We can see each person – every person – as a life that matters (every – regardless of their country of origin or their faith). 

What is the real cost of freedom? How will we celebrate the 4th of July? Will we celebrate only with “American pride” and call it “Christian freedom?” 

How do we understand our rights? How do we understand our freedom? How do we understand LOVE? How do we value American lives above the lives of others?

Will we worship “American Christianity?” 

Do we understand the message of the cross of Jesus? Really? 

Do we grasp the message of LOVE? 

Do I?

Continue reading →

I hope you’ll watch the above video – if only for the lyrics. 

I want to see the LOVE. The all inclusive Relationship of God – the Triune God washing over all created beings. We can demonstrate his LOVE. We can embrace relationship the way GOD created it. We can see each person – every person – as a life that matters (every person – regardless of their country of origin or their faith). 

How do we understand and define our rights? How do we understand our freedom? How do we understand LOVE? How do we value American lives above the lives of others?

How do we recognize our friends and our loved ones and those we don’t know – who risk their lives for a cause…and at the same time grieve for human lives lost…on both sides of a conflict, any war?

How will we celebrate the 4th of July?Will we wrestle with the real cost of freedom? Will we celebrate only with “American pride” and call it “Christian freedom?” 

Will we worship “American Christianity?” 

Do we understand the message of the cross of Jesus? Really? How will we live it out? How will I live it out? Today. In my world…where every person matters.

Do we grasp the message of LOVE? 

Do I?

Continue reading →

In the state of Indiana (my home state) last year the youngest reported
victim of human sex trafficking was 7 years old. 7 years old. My eyes
involuntarily close when I type that. My heart breaks. I want to turn away
from my own writing like I’ve done too many times when the image of a
starving child appears on my TV screen. But I can’t look away. 

27 million people are estimated to be trafficked worldwide, producing $150
billion (U.S. Department of State). And it turns out the Midwest – the
Crossroads of America – is a hotbed for this ghastly crime and
victimization. I can’t look away.

Last week I attended a community information meeting… Continue reading →

In the state of Indiana (my home state) last year the youngest reported
victim of human sex trafficking was 7 years old. 7 years old. My eyes
involuntarily close when I type that. My heart breaks. I want to turn away
from my own writing like I’ve done too many times when the image of a
starving child appears on my TV screen. But I can’t look away. 

27 million people are estimated to be trafficked worldwide, producing $150
billion (U.S. Department of State). And it turns out the Midwest – the
Crossroads of America – is a hotbed for this ghastly crime and
victimization. I can’t look away.

Last week I attended a community information meeting… Continue reading →

As I write this, nearly 300 children are on our campus, playing games,
climbing rock walls and learning that God loves them. It’s what any child
should be doing this summer. But it’s not the reality for too many children
– in our world, and right here at home.

I’m talking about human trafficking.

In the state of Indiana (my home state) last year the youngest reported
victim of human sex trafficking was 7 years old. 7 years old. My eyes
involuntarily close when I type that. My heart breaks. I want to turn away
from my own writing like I’ve done too many times when the image of a
starving child appears on my TV screen. But I can’t look away. 

27 million people are estimated to be trafficked worldwide, producing $150
billion (U.S. Department of State). And it turns out the Midwest – the
Crossroads of America – is a hotbed for this ghastly crime and
victimization. I can’t look away.

Last week I attended a community information meeting… Continue reading →

What if you could learn…

* how to listen – not only to words, but to someone’s heart?
* how to leverage your own brokenness in order to step with love into
the brokenness of someone else?
* to journey with someone whose shame is binding, confusing and masking
their true identity?
* to avoid some of the ridiculous… Continue reading →

What if you could learn…

* how to listen – not only to words, but to someone’s heart?
* how to leverage your own brokenness in order to step with love into
the brokenness of someone else?
* to journey with someone whose shame is binding, confusing and masking
their true identity?
* to avoid some of the ridiculous… Continue reading →

The writer of Hebrews penned a passage that long ago became known as the
“faith chapter” or the “hall of faith.” Chapter 11 begins this way: 

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, the evidence of things not
seen.

Put another way: Faith is the “sureness” of what we hope for…to be certain
of things we cannot see. 

This verse seems to paint a picture of what it is to walk in the dark.
Faith isn’t required in the light of day, when all is visible. Those
“things we cannot see” are not merely out of sight, but rather… Continue reading →

The writer of Hebrews penned a passage that long ago became known as the
“faith chapter” or the “hall of faith.” Chapter 11 begins this way: 

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, the evidence of things not
seen.

Put another way: Faith is the “sureness” of what we hope for…to be certain
of things we cannot see. 

This verse seems to paint a picture of what it is to walk in the dark.
Faith isn’t required in the light of day, when all is visible. Those
“things we cannot see” are not merely out of sight, but rather… Continue reading →