It was the day before graduation. A few hours earlier, I had shown my parents and little sister around the campus that had been like a second home to me for the past three years (though let’s be honest, I probably spent more time there than at my real home. Just ask my roommates). I…
About half-way through my seminary journey, in our last chapel service of the year, we were asked to reflect on what we had been learning throughout the past school year. I remember turning to my fellow classmates and—only sort of jokingly—saying, “I’ve been learning to be careful what I pray for.” You see, that year…
Particularly when it comes to the issue of suffering, one of the great obstacles of the Christian life is disillusionment; we enter into this life with God with great expectation and excitement, buying into the myth that the Christian life is a life of ease—a “rainbows and puppy dogs” kind of life. So when suffering…
Some of the most challenging and beautiful moments in my life have been the times when God has allowed me the honor and privilege of sitting with one of His children who walking through a valley season. These moments are beautiful because I believe that when we are invited into the pain and brokenness of…
There has been an interesting shift in my understanding of suffering over the course of the past year. It is a shift that is downright offensive to my sensibilities and human nature, and I have fought against it for much of my life. I’ve come to understand that pain and suffering can be a gift;…
In one of my last classes of the year, a professor read from the classic by C.S. Lewis, “Screwtape Letters.” If you’re not familiar with the book, Lewis provides insight into the Christian life through the fascinating perspective of a “Senior Demon”—Screwtape—writing to a “Junior Tempter”—Wormwood—about his attempts to draw his “patient”—a new Christian—away from…
Yesterday, I went for a drive in the mountains. I didn’t have a destination in mind or an agenda to follow, I just wanted to drive. See, my car is a sort of sanctuary for me – it’s not pretty, it makes noises that a car isn’t supposed to make, it’s covered with all sorts…
The other day, I did a quick search for “news” on Google, and that simple search yielded disheartening results; more controversies regarding candidates for the U.S. presidential election, a failed mission to rescue hostages in Afghanistan, a policeman stabbed in France, and a shooting at a High School in Texas. It seems like the news…
Around this time, 7 long years ago, I was packing up my childhood room and counting down the days until I got to move out of my parents’ home and into the college dorms. That day feels like a lifetime ago, but I can still recall the excitement and anticipation that I felt (in fact,…
About 6 months ago, I showed up to a Life Group launch at my church… just a random Tuesday night in the middle of winter. Leading up to this night, my plan had been to launch my own group at this particular launch, but I felt challenged and convicted by God to join a group instead.…
Paramutheomai 