I was present at the birth of all three of our children, one daughter and twin sons. In all three cases, each child had to be physically disconnected from their mother. The umbilical cord had to be cut for them to enter the world. Once the cord was cut, then they were free, able to …
Continue reading Expressive Individualism and the Embarrassing Problem of Belly Buttons
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 Your eyes saw me when I was formless;all my days were written in your book and plannedbefore a single one of them began. Psalm 139:16 Precious in the sight …
Continue reading “Momento Mori” (Or Learning to Live Between the Altar and the Grave)
We're going on a bear hunt.We're going to catch a big one.What a beautiful day!We're not scared.Uh-oh!Mud! Thick oozy mud.We can't go over it.We can't go under it.Oh no! We've got to go through it! We probably read this book to our kids dozens if not hundreds of times. This family goes on a walk …
Continue reading “We’re Going On a Bear Hunt” (Or Why We Need a Better Theology of Suffering)
Lord, God of my salvation,I cry out before you day and night.May my prayer reach your presence;listen to my cry.For I have had enough troubles,and my life is near Sheol.I am counted among those going down to the Pit.I am like a man without strength,abandoned among the dead.I am like the slain lying in the …
Pastor J.D. Greear tells this story: “I once told a group of interns at our church that if they ever had days when they couldn’t feel God’s closeness, experiencing regular waves of His pleasure and mercy wash over their souls, that was proof they weren’t really saved. You should have seen the looks on their …
Continue reading Wilderness #3: Walking with God in the Wilderness
grace notes 