-
Advent: The Good News of Barrenness
Read more: Advent: The Good News of BarrennessHow preposterous a thought it is that in the often barren, frigid, and life-drained months of winter that we celebrate the birth of new life of Jesus, the God-Man. The church’s celebration of the resurrection seems to get it right- the rising from death to the glory of new life remembered on Resurrection Sunday seems…
-
Experiments in Advent
Read more: Experiments in AdventOn Sunday we lit the second Advent candle in church, which means I’ve been observing Advent for the first time as an adult for about a week and a half. I’m pretty sure you need to practice this tradition for years to be able to really sink down into the season and begin to glimpse…
-
What Violent Passion Tells us about our Compass of Worship
Read more: What Violent Passion Tells us about our Compass of WorshipThis last Saturday, fans of the phenomenon that is College Football had a spectacular, history making event to enjoy. I’m sorry if this introduction doesn’t capture the attention of the other 6.7 billion people around the globe who don’t follow American football, but in summary: a 109 short field goal return for a come-from-behind win…
-
Let Us Keep The Feast: A Book Recommendation
Read more: Let Us Keep The Feast: A Book RecommendationIt all started with Chaim Potok—the 20th century Jewish novelist who wrote mainly about Orthodox and Hasidic Jews living in New York City, and is famous for such books as The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev. I discovered his novels in college, and, after reading a few of them, I came to a…
-
Doubting Wisely
Read more: Doubting WiselyWith the recent tragedy in Connecticut there is reason to doubt. Last friday I was driving in my car listening to talk radio. The entire show was dedicated to the day’s horrific events. At one point the host started to explain that although he is not religious, he is ‘spiritual’. He stated emphatically that he…
-
Would I teach MY kids about Santa?
Read more: Would I teach MY kids about Santa?For the reading audience, this comes as part three of a themed week focus on the tension between celebrating Christmas, as specifically Santa, alongside the advent of the Messiah. For those of you who have not read John’s misnomer[1] article titled “Why I Wouldn’t Teach my Kids About Santa” posted earlier this week, I would recommend…