Category Archives: Theology

The Scandal of Foolish Love

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. — 1 Cor. 1:17 With these words, Paul gets at … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Quotes, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Church as Public Witness

From Michael Goheen’s A Light to the Nations: The Missional Church and the Biblical Story: [The] witness of the early church was publicly subversive. The early church did not allow itself to be pushed into a private realm in some … Continue reading

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Love Never Fails

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

Love First: Action

This year, our church theme is “Love First.” Not only is this statement a strong word in favor of obedience and missional living, it is also a word of action. This calls to mind Mother Teresa’s famous quote: “Faith in … Continue reading

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Love First: Missional

What does God desire of us? What does He want from His people? In Scripture, we see that our God is a God of mission. He is a missionary God, sending His own Son into the world for our sake. … Continue reading

Posted in 2 Corinthians 5, Devotional, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Missiology, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Call is Constant: The Symmetry of Grace

Jesus calls us to a deeply devoted, transformative type of following, one that is ultimately expressed in agape love for God and others. Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps along the way. Simon Peter knows this well. … Continue reading

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Every Step An Arrival: Going Without Knowing

In his book The Pastor, Eugene Peterson cites a Denise Levertov poem that closes with this line: “every step an arrival.” Levertov uses the phrase as a description of her development as a poet but her words fire my imagination … Continue reading

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The Culture Wars and Engaged Alienation

(Note: this is part of a series of posts based on some of the things I’m currently reading and reflecting on. Click here for part one.) For most of our nation’s history, a Judeo-Christian worldview could simply be assumed. You … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, 2 Corinthians 5, Books, Church, Devotional, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Scripture, Social Issues, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It Must Be Love

I am blessed to serve as a part of the ministry staff for a great church. The shepherds of our church have spent the past several months in deep prayer and reflection. They have been earnestly seeking God’s will for … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, Church, Devotional, God, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love of Christ, Love Others, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Best Books of 2015

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