It is 7am. The space I am sitting in is a bourbon bar by night, but in the morning it is the most delightful little bagel shop. My coffee is a medium roast from Oblique Coffee Roasters (a small Portland boutique roastery) and my english muffin is still warm with homemade strawberry jam. I am […]
Archive | Faith Journey
RSS feed for this sectionExperiencing Freedom: A Group Confession
This morning we participated in a group confession. Turning in their chairs and looking around the broad auditorium at their fellow students, everyone was encouraged to raise their hands (admit their beliefs) as a series of statements were read. It was an exercise in authenticity. Together we took a stand against religious pretending. We chose to […]
New Podcast: "Choose Your Own Adventure Podcast"
My occasional friend, Wes Cauthers, suggested that he and I attempt a podcast. Podcast might even me a misnomer. We are going to try and get to know each other better and all the while hit the record-button while we do it. Wes and I met over a decade ago, and we have bumped into […]
Interview on the "John and Kathy Show"
Yesterday (September 9th), I was interviewed on the “John and Kathy Show”. They broadcast out of Pittsburgh on Word FM 101.5. You can listen to the discussion here (my interview starts around 1:11:30 of the Tuesday broadcast): http://www.wordfm.com/ContentPages/4784/ Together we process issues of assurance, faith, the gospel, the other and the impact of culture on […]
BONUS thought on New Leadership Journal Article Titled, "Why I Gave Back My Assurance of Salvation"
Just published a new article over on Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal. It is titled, “Why I Gave Back My Assurance of Salvation.” I have included an excerpt below: Since I was duly convinced that my “assurance” was the most important issue, there was this unexpected, subtle thing that happened inside me in response to heaven […]
Entry #2: LIGHT. A Firsthand Journey to Ferguson
In response to the dire realities in Ferguson, Missouri, my friend, Leroy Barber (along with another dear friend, Lisa Sharon Harper) has chosen to give up time and resources to do what so many of us wish we could do; Fly to Ferguson to be fully present. I met him the night before he left. […]
A Cathartic Post About "Good Will Hunting"
It is not a good day. So, I am taking a minute to do a little cathartic writing. I hope it helps. This week I have made a few comments online about Robin Williams. I posted a couple of his quotes from the film Good Will Hunting. I tweeted this: “… Unless you want to […]
Pro-Death: A new article on Parse
In my new article over on Parse (a blog of Christianity Today). In it, I consider the idea that I (and we as a religious society) respond to the world and to our neighbors as if there are two kinds of sin. You can read the entire article here: http://www.christianitytoday.com/parse/2014/august/pro-death.html?paging=off One kind of sins are […]
My Keynote Message at Faith and Culture Writers Conf. 2014
We are in the midst of planning for next year’s Faith and Culture Writers Conference. I am taking a more hands on role this year, because it looks like it will be hosted by Warner Pacific College, the school where I am honored to serve as the Author in Residence. In light of that anticipation […]
Pope Francis Goes to Confession
I saw this story this morning and wanted to repost it here. In front of the congregation at St. Peter’s, Pope Francis surprised/shocked everyone when he kneeled publicly before a fellow priest and confessed his sins and received absolution. I watched this and immediately broke into tears. It was for me both a great act […]