Welcome to the new host site for my blog Seasons. As I once told students on the first day of class, you might want to take a little time to look around and familiarize yourself with our new digital home.
Are You Still a Christian?
We like to create distance, even distance that is generated by falsity, to protect ourselves from being impacted by those we fear.
Righteous Anger?
Is it good or bad to be mad? It’s bad, right? Anger is bad. Always. Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Eph 4:31).
Preachers and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Comedians and preachers both stand in front of a skeptical audience, demand attention, and attempt to perform in such a way that the people leave in a different frame of mind than when they came.
Called Out of Nothingness
God has a history of using the most unlikely of suspects. Maybe it is because by using such people God’s action is more clearly recognized as just that: God’s action.
What to Say When There Are No Words
Those of us who accept the responsibility of spiritual leadership have high expectations placed on us. But these three things will make a difference.
Jesus’s 12 Rules for Life (Part 1)
Actually trying these things lets you in on a new reality buried right here in the midst of this one. Jesus called it the kingdom of heaven.
Can We Talk?
Dealing with conflict is no picnic. But the damage caused by refusing to talk to each other is wreaking havoc and I can’t stay silent.
Five Reasons the Church Should Support Recovery Groups
Twelve-step groups are not the church. And this is a great reason why the church should support them.
Why the Church Needs Feminism (Part 6)
There are three common mistakes that churches make that provide safe havens for abusers and re-victimize the vulnerable time and time again.
Small Churches and Abilene Christian University Summit
I first attended Abilene Christian University Lectureship when I was a freshman Bible major in February 1986. This was back when they still put up the big tent on the other side of Edwards Dormitory.
Believe or Belong: Which Comes First?
Rather than holding to a set of convictions that properly constitute a faithful Christian, Christianity is more about an orientation toward following Jesus Christ.
Seeing with Godly Eyes (Part 2)
Sometimes you have grown so used to the problems that you don’t see them anymore: that squeaky door, the quirky light switch that just won’t seem to work right, the overgrown yard.
Surprise! A Spiritual Discipline
I equally love and hate surprises. If I sense somewhere in my gut that somebody is withholding a fun secret from me, it nearly drives me crazy.
Envy at Church
The very people who have the greatest possibility of being close to us are the ones we are most likely to envy.
Eat Slowly and Enjoy
In most of our consumption, whether food, Netflix, media, or people, we quickly ingest without taking the time to appreciate the experience.
The Greatest Gift
The greatest gift a parent can give a child is permission to become the person God created him or her to be.
Helping Your Prodigals to Come Home … and Stay Home
We often assume our prodigals will know how to stay clean from their addictions, stop hurting people, and be an active participant in the life of our church.
It's Time to Get out of the Car
I recently tried a sad kind of experiment. I tried to see if I can make it 24 hours without hearing a body shaming or food shaming comment.
Australian Jesus and the Boomerang of Judgment
We shouldn’t be judgmental, right? Saturday morning cartoons and countless sitcoms have taught us as much.