There’s a calling on every man. Every one has a mission. But most men feel a quiet discontent in church, a stirring or restlessness, like they don’t quite belong. There’s a reason a man relishes his armchair on Sunday. During the afternoon game, he can analyze, strategize, cast vision, and coach. An exciting venue beckons him to […]
Laughing Admits the Sadness
When I look into the eyes of my youth kids, I see the potential of who they could be, but there is no way to know who they will become. The options and possibilities are limitless. It is a gift to see the potential in people. For instance, when there was a group of kids […]
Ants on the Eiffel Tower
Who is first? I stood before 50 snot dripping energy drink addicted little monsters, teaching floor hockey to elementary kids. “I need a volunteer…” I declared. Before another word could form on my lips, hands shot up like they were competing for a winning lottery ticket. Pretty soon I had at least 58 hands to […]
How To Witness Like an Atheist and Bring People to God
Witnessing like a Christian is overrated. I don’t think I can take that creepy God stare one more time. You know the one. That moment in every Christian movie when the old woman leans in for the God talk, her rate of blinking drops to sub-human levels, and she begins to look spiritual. Her gaze penetrates the audience (and our […]
Christ or Culture?
Christ or Culture? Which do you want to keep? I have been born completely comfortable with change. My whole generation is this way. As human beings we are designed to hate change, but change for my generation has always brought comfort, and entertainment. With each increment of new technological advancement our lives have gotten easier, […]
I’m Gay
A rose by any other name would still be Gay. One of my favorite musicals is West Side Story, and one of my favorite songs in that musical is, “I Feel Pretty”. The lyrics go, “I feel pretty oh so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and gay”. If you hear the song in […]
Is Your Church Becoming Fake for Christ’s Sake?
There is an epidemic of fakeness in the church. Jesus said, “Judge a tree by its fruit.” James added, “I will show you my faith by my works.” We reveal our beliefs by our actions. So the things we most do are also the things we most believe. I can see your theology simply enough. You proclaim […]
The Absinthe of Your Faith
It was 4 AM and I hadn’t slept all night. I was trying to lie on hospital benches with ill-placed arm rests, and finding them wedged in uncomfortable places. My brother John-Peter’s first child had just been born and while everyone else had left, I wanted to stay to celebrate the birth of a son with […]
Are You God’s Annoying Neighbor?
Sometimes our modern sensibilities are a bit off. You shuffle into the kitchen and flip on the light switch. Yawn. Shake a few lumps of coffee grounds into the pot instead of on the countertop this time. Cream cheese a bagel. Check your Instagram newsfeed. Pour a cup of hot brew. Kick off your slippers and slide into Toms, […]
Built Around Butterflies
If commitment were built around feelings, even Jesus would have left you a long time ago. Your heart starts pounding and time slows down. You watch from afar as an angel moves in a graceful dance. Sure, to others she is chewing her nails or doodling in a notebook, but to you every movement is […]