For the past ten weeks, I have been listening to a song by Elevation Worship—pretty much non-stop. The words in “Hear Again” have been the cry of my heart, as I watch one mess and one heartbreak after another engulf our world, our cities, my church. (It is from that song, that I have taken … Continue reading The Lord is in this Place
A Gentle Answer: 20 Quotes
In these months, I don't think any of us run the risk of being too gentle (note: gentle does not mean wimpy or spineless). Scott Sauls' book, A Gentle Answer: Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them, calls us to look at Jesus and be gentle as he is gentle. This book … Continue reading A Gentle Answer: 20 Quotes
Communion is for Pandemics and Ever After
This is my body given for you…remember me. This is my blood poured out for you…remember me.—Luke 22:19–20 (paraphrase) Plastic crinkles and tears—harsh sounds in the stillness. None of us imagined that we’d one day be partaking of the Lord’s Supper from individually-packaged plastic cups. That we’d be pulling masks down to eat and drink. … Continue reading Communion is for Pandemics and Ever After
Handle with Care: 20 Quotes
The first book I started this year with was Lore Ferguson Wilbert’s Handle with Care: How Jesus Redeems the Power of Touch in Life and Ministry. And it is very likely to be one of the top three books I read in 2021. This is a book that I will make a wide recommendation for—if … Continue reading Handle with Care: 20 Quotes
Books Read in 2020
And here we are again. The end of another year, and time to give an account for all the books read in 2020. This year I read 39 books—20 fiction and 19 non-fiction—the first year I have read more fiction than non-fiction. Best book overall: Blessed, Broken, Given Non-fiction runners-up: Gentle and Lowly, Changes that … Continue reading Books Read in 2020
Pressed but Not Crushed
In September 2016, I took a mission trip to the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana. As this was a trip with the Christian Veterinary Mission, it was centered on animals. One of the things I most remember was the use of the chute for large animal procedures—painful procedures. Ranch assistants would drive the animal into … Continue reading Pressed but Not Crushed
On Fear and Decisions and Living
“Fear works both ways, keeping you from doing things you might want to do and convincing you that you have to do things you don’t want to do.” Emily P. Freeman (The Next Right Thing) For some people, quarantine has brought up dozens of fears—and that surprises them. But for many more of us, I … Continue reading On Fear and Decisions and Living
Take it All and Go to Jesus
For the majority of my first year up here, there was one story in Scripture that I held onto more than any other. I’d like to say it was this story that prepared me for the quarantine season we are in, but actually, it was those early months up here that did that. In Matthew … Continue reading Take it All and Go to Jesus
What I Read In 2019
Every December, one of my favorite things happens. “Top 20” booklists come out, numerous book reviews are published, and lists from what various people read during the year also dot the internet. These lists and book reviews provide material for my own reading in the coming year or challenge me to read books I wouldn’t … Continue reading What I Read In 2019
The Soul of Shame: 20 Quotes
While I do not expect all people reading these book review posts to have time to actually read the books these quotes come from, my hope is that these quotations will either be helpful in themselves or inspire you to read the book for yourself. The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe about … Continue reading The Soul of Shame: 20 Quotes
Down Here Looking Up 