Category Archives: Theology

Fixer Upper: The Hope of Creation

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

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

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

When Hope and History Rhyme: A Christmas Eve Meditation

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

A Ring, A Bumper Sticker and Gary

Originally posted on already & not yet:
This is a picture of my high school ring. I haven’t worn it in years. In fact, I’ve hardly worn it at all. Apparently the whole point of having a high school ring…

Posted in Culture, Race, Social Issues, Theology | Leave a comment

Already and Not Yet: Becoming a Husband

I originally wrote this for a friend’s blog last month. Decided to post it here as well. The Kingdom of heaven is like becoming a husband. Allow me to explain. On August 14, 1999, I stood before everyone I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Faith, Family, Marriage, Race, Scripture, Social Issues, Sunny, Terrorism, Theology | Leave a comment

The Power of Missional Conversation

  People who have been shaped by the Good News of Jesus have a responsibility to embody the Good News of Jesus. And one of simplest and yet most powerful ways we can embody the Good News is through our … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Culture, Faith, Gospel, Kingdom Values, Missiology, Politics, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Missional Way of Life

Have you ever noticed that laughter is contagious? The video is actually a social experiment. With hidden cameras set up at a local bus stop, an actor is sent in among the “regular” folks. As you can see, at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Faith, Kingdom Values, Love God, Love Others, Missiology, Scripture, Theology, Video | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Love Is Our Mission: Textual Underpinnings

Some of the most familiar passages in our Bibles tell the story of our Missionary God. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Missiology, Scripture, Theology | Leave a comment

Fearless Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 4, Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Ministry, No Fear, Obedience, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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