Category: Practical Theology
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Foolishness is Bound up in the Heart of a Parent
Read more: Foolishness is Bound up in the Heart of a ParentIt’s time to make a significant difference in our homes; specifically with regard to the spiritual formation of our children. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, my wife and I are becoming expert empty-nesters. I believe we have a way to go before hitting the “veteran” level. But right now, we have adjusted to…
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“Use Your Imagination!”
Read more: “Use Your Imagination!”For some of us, the imperative in this title might be license to freedom- a liberating release from the rigidity of the daily and mundane to play in the boundless world of our richest thoughts. For others (and most of the time, me), it spawns a sign or a roll of the eyes. “What good…
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Salvation in Space and Time
Read more: Salvation in Space and TimeAsk a Calvinist when he was saved and he might take you back—waaaay back—to “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Nice one! Five points for being profound. But we Calvinists need not always rewind so far. Truth is, there was a time when we were not Christians. When we were dead in our…
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Theological Paradigms for how to do “Family”
Read more: Theological Paradigms for how to do “Family”The older I’ve become, the more my interests have changed. Actually, let’s use a better word than changed. I’ll be a little audacious and say “matured.” Gone are the days where my thoughts and day-dreams were occupied pondering how to beat the boss of the Goron Mountain Dungeon in “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of…
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I’m Happy for You (Really!)
Read more: I’m Happy for You (Really!)One night a few years ago, I was reading through Romans and stumbled upon an extraordinary command from Paul’s pen: Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). I’d read it before, even quoted it, but something stood out this time. Struck by its simplicity and its strangeness, I considered this verse a challenge—a serious, sin-killing…
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Letter to Myself at 15
Read more: Letter to Myself at 15Dear Bryan, You’re probably at the piano, writing songs about things you know nothing about, like love and loss. Or doing vocal warm-ups so you can audition for that blasted show choir. (Don’t bother. You won’t make it until your senior year, and when you do, you’ll become a bigger nerd than you already are.)…
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Suffering and Solidarity
Read more: Suffering and SolidarityI know for myself, 2012 has been off to a relatively relaxing and “centering” start. In fact, January is looking to be the slowest month of the next twelve for me, and I have decided in the last few weeks to decrease the ambition I had regarding personal projects for the month, to re-learn what…
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What to Do With Dreams
Read more: What to Do With DreamsThere was a time when dreams carried weight. God spoke to people in their sleep, sometimes sending angels into a prophet’s unconscious with words of warning or future wonders. Now God speaks to us in a better Way (Hebrew 1:1-2). Because we have God’s word and the revelation of his Son, the living Word, we…
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A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a Missionary
Read more: A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a MissionaryThis week marks two years since a massive 7.0 earthquake surged through Haiti, leaving millions homeless and tens of thousands dead. Survivors could hardly breathe a sigh of relief as they faced disease, debris and aftershocks. The streets were soon lined with bodies. Refugees scrambled for clean water—a rarity even before the quake. Newly leveled…
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Resolved 2012: A Confession and Commission
Read more: Resolved 2012: A Confession and Commission2012, Day 4- Resolved to: Revel in Your Rest, and for my soul to be Pacified in Your peace…[1] This last week, I had my first experience with the popular stretching-exercise phenomenon we refer to as Yoga. For the last month and a half, I have been detained from my usual workout routine due to…