Author Archives: Jason

Daring Faith: “I Faith”

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Jason

Maybe you’re familiar with the game “Truth or Dare.” It’s a silly game that pits truth-telling against some kind of “dare.” Well, we can think of the Gospel of John as containing both truth and dares. John draws out the … Continue reading →

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A Theological Reading of “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts”: Coke bottles

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Jason

Toward the end of Neil White’s gripping memoir, “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts”, he records another encounter with Ella. With his release looming, White was lamenting to Ella his lack of transformation. He writes, “I had decided I needed to change, … Continue reading →

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Fixer Upper: The Hope of Creation

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Jason

We’re suckers for home renovation shows. A dozen years ago, it was Trading Spaces. (Remember that show? It kinda put TLC on the map.) Then it was the Extreme Home Makeover craze. About five years ago, Sunny and I fell in love with House … Continue reading →

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A Theological Reading of “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts”: Church

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Jason

I just finished Neil White’s fantastic memoir In the Sanctuary of Outcasts. White spent 12 months — spring 1993 to spring 1994 — incarcerated at the minimum-security Federal Medical Center in Carville, Louisiana. What made this incarceration unique was the “convergence … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Church, Faith, Gospel, Love Others, Missiology, Theology | 1 Comment

Best Songs of 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Jason

A rejoinder to my best albums post, here are my 25 favorite songs released this year. Happy New Year to you! “Burn the Witch” by Radiohead.  “In Bloom” by Sturgill Simpson.  “What Dreams May Come” by Michael McDermott.  “No Hard … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Pearl Jam Songs

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Jason

I’ve been following Pearl Jam for the past 25 years. I was a freshman in high school when they burst onto the rock / grunge / alternative scene in 1991. In honor of their recent induction into the Rock ‘n … Continue reading →

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Best Albums of 2016

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Jason

I love all kinds of music. This year we made the decision to begin a Spotify Premium family subscription, so I have access to even more music than ever before. As always, there are a couple of albums that especially … Continue reading →

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A (Bookworm’s) Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Jason

Santa was VERY good to this bookworm. Now I have to decide which one to read first! 

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When Hope and History Rhyme: A Christmas Eve Meditation

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Jason

Originally posted on already & not yet:
“Peace on Earth” has been called U2’s most agnostic song. Recorded as part of the 2000 release, All That You Can’t Leave Behind, the song’s lyrics were inspired by the Real IRA Omagh…

Posted in Music, Politics, Poverty, Prayer, Race, Social Issues, Terrorism, Theology | Leave a comment

Best Books of 2016

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Jason

Time for my annual list of best books I’ve read this year. (To access my previous “best books” lists, click here.) Each year I set out with a goal to read 52 books — one per week. Admittedly, that’s an … Continue reading →

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