When God’s Message Interrupts (2 Kings 1)

I enjoy a good underdog story. One of the most memorable ones for me is the one immortalized in the film Rudy. I'm fairly certain I've cried while watching only a handful of movies. And I'm fairly certain that Rudy was one of them. And I'm fairly certain that I've cried just listening to the soundtrack for Rudy (which, …

An Invitation to the Book of Hebrews

Hebrews invites us to do at least six things: Inhabit the narrative world of the Old Testament. The author of Hebrews quotes from the Pentateuch, the Prophets and the Writings, and makes countless allusions to the OT. The author recalls OT imagery,  types, and heroes. "A tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the …

Adventures in Urban Running

Disclaimers: I am hardly urban. I grew up in rural Georgia and its hard to "take the Georgia out of the man" as its said. Also, I am hardly a runner... at least I have a lot to learn about running. I've run several 5k's and 3 half marathons, but I'm interested in taking my game …

If you are a Christian and are looking for a resource on evangelism…

I've read a few books on evangelism and have attempted conversations about God using various approaches. One resource I ran across this past year that I would recommend is Randy Newman's book Questioning Evangelism. Randy Newman understands the frustration of evangelical Christians over evangelism. We care deeply about the Bible, and our faith is at the center …

Confessions of a Greek Geek

You can call seminary a lot of things. Seminary is for "putting tools in your toolbox," or for "deepening your well" as a minister. A term we seminarians throw when we think about our homework or about our budgets or about all the sacrifices our wives make is "season." Its only a season, we tell ourselves …

Real Roots of Repentance (Part 2)

What's the big deal about repentance? It is realizing the value of the relationship in front of you and letting go of anything that would be in the way. Repentance is rooted in a radical belief that things do not have to stay this way.

Real Roots of Repentance (Part 1)

This past year I spent some time studying Revelation 2:1–7 and the topic of repentance in the Bible. "Repentance" as I understand it is a turning away from something and a turning toward something. When the Bible talks about humans repenting it generally means people are turning away from sin and turning to God with …

A Poem on Mothers Day

Imagine  Imagine how God blessed her to give life to a little one with tiny face, with hands that reach out for what they do not even know. Yet she knows them and they begin to find the closeness of the one who gave and then would give.   Imagine how desire strong to know— in …

The Old Guy with Muscular Faith

So far this year I have been re-captured by the stories of the book of Genesis. One of those stories is the story of Abraham (Genesis 12-25). And one of the greatest scenes in Abraham's life is in Genesis 22 when God gives the 100-year-old a final test. A lot had happened in Abraham's life …

Working (and living) in the Concrete

Concrete and asphalt are not the most exciting solids in the physical world, but I think the people who work with them well are craftsmen in their own right. 5 months have gone by since I started working on the streets doing concrete and asphalt maintenance. These are my rather abstract thoughts about those 5 months. …