As you know (from Part I), I can struggle to feel responsible for “fixing myself” as it relates to my sin. I spent most of Part II trying to convince you and me that God has a much better path to righteousness that involves a lot less exasperation and a lot more dependence. Jesus rebuked the [...]
Posts under ‘Self-Reflection’
Doing Accountability Part I: My Baggage
I confess that “accountability” has been a bit of a taboo word for me until recently. Months ago, if you caught me on the right day, you could tell me that you were were going to have an accountability time with your small group, and I would have had an internal response that sounded something [...]
I Used to be Good at Ministry
First, I should start by acknowledging that I did, in fact, notice that it’s been two months since I last blogged. Hopefully that shouldn’t happen again for a little while, but no guarantees. In case you didn’t know, I was busy getting a job, an apartment, and a wife. I’m not going to write much [...]
What January/February 2010 Has Taught Me
I almost thought of calling this post “What I’m Learning” but I decided it was far too broad, and doesn’t actually tell you anything about this post. But this will, in fact, be all about what I’m learning. This whole post is about a process God has been taking me through that started around New [...]
Grace: Free Hugs
This is the last of my three-part (for now) series on the power of grace. I hope you’ve come even just a little bit closer to knowing deeply the richness of God’s grace. But before I write anything more, I want you to watch this video and do your best to emotionally engage. Feel it as deeply as you [...]
Grace: Fingerpainting for Dad
In my last post, I shared about how I’ve struggled to boldly speak truth to others because I fear messing it up, even if my intentions are good. This blog post is going to deal with how we can respond to difficult responses to our truth-telling when we acted in ignorance or foolishness, even if [...]
Your False Jesus
At our Southside New Life Team gathering a couple nights, we reflected on a difficult reality of the Christmas season: misrepresenations of Jesus. At the time of year when America collectively celebrates something that at least has its origins in the birth of the Messiah, our nation’s misconceptions of Jesus become considerably more public. It results in [...]
The Southside Baptism Aftermath
The last week I spent in Ann Arbor was amazing. At 10 pm Thursday night, I gathered with the Southside New Life Team (at 25+ strong…in really cold weather) on top of the Thompson Street parking structure to pray over our dorm and our campus. The view from up there is so beautiful…seeing Ann Arbor all lit up [...]
He Loves Me But I Do Not Possess His Love
I experienced conflict with someone very close to me the other day. Later that night, I was reminded of God’s deep and perfect love for me and my inability to love another as He loves me. And so I wrote, because that’s what I do when I’m feeling strong emotion. I imagine C.S. Lewis may have been [...]