Category Archives: Eschatology

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 →

Posted in Eschatology, Faith, God, Gospel, Scripture, Television, The Story, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Let Justice Roll Down

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Jason

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. — Amos 5:24 In these times, the “not yet” nature of the Kingdom of God is felt most profoundly. At every turn it seems ours is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Disappointment, Eschatology, Faith, Hope, Scripture, Social Issues | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Love Never Fails

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jason

1 Corinthians 13 is a text that I’ve read at nearly every wedding over which I’ve presided. That’s great; these are certainly fitting words for such an occasion. But there’s a flip side to such familiarity. If we come to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Marriage, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

When Hope and History Rhyme: A Christmas Eve Meditation

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Jason

“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 bombing in Northern Ireland in August 1998. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Disappointment, Eschatology, Faith, Gospel, Hope, Jesus, Music, Social Issues, Video | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Best Books of 2015

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Jason

Time for my annual list of best books I’ve read this year. Each year I set out with a goal to read 52 books — one per week. Admittedly, that’s an ambitious goal and I usually fall short (with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Books, Church, Eschatology, Faith, Kingdom Values, Politics, Race, Social Issues, Sports, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hope Is Not Optimism

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jason

In a Rolling Stone interview years ago, American professor and scholar Cornel West made the following statement about optimism and pessimism: The categories of optimism and pessimism don’t exist for me. I’m a blues man. A blues man is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, Hope, Kingdom Values, Missiology, Social Issues | 1 Comment

Hope Against Hope

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Jason

It was a Saturday. We were planning to go to Nashville that day to see her. She’d been hospitalized there for several days and we’d planned for me to finish up the school week and then go see her on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, Hope, Kingdom Values, Mom, Scripture | 6 Comments

Fall

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Jason

Today was one of those glorious autumn days: 60 degrees, zero humidity, and a clear blue sky that contrasted the glorious red, orange, and yellow of fall’s changing leaves. As we were driving home after running a few errands, Sunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Devotional, Disappointment, Eschatology, Faith, Family, Scripture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Finish Strong

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Jason

A few years ago, I wrote about my respect and appreciation for my father-in-law, Alan Shates. In that blog post, I recounted the story of our twins who spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after being born … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Man, Eschatology, Family, God, Kids, Sunny | 11 Comments

2 Timothy 4

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, Dec 27: 2 Timothy 4 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Faith, God, Kingdom Values, Project 3:45, Scripture, Theology | Tagged | 1 Comment