Friend of a Friend
My reading of Scripture has changed over the years. First, it was a collection of the stories of unknown people who lived long ago. Eventually, those 'strangers' became friends, sharing with me what they had experienced. Then Scripture became a place for me to meet God myself, my friends providing the structure and space for that connection. Now, after many years of coming to know God, these writings have become a place to relate, to say, "I have experienced this too!"
My Work Until
...I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest... ⏤ Jeremiah 31:33-34 and Hebrews 8:10-11
Eternal life is knowing God, dwelling with him as his people, our minds and hearts being trained by him in his ways. Until all know him, from least to greatest, my priority is teaching my neighbor, encouraging and being encouraged to know the Lord this way.
Be Prepared
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... — 1 Peter 3:15
The opening question is, "Why are you so hopeful?" Now, with gentleness and respect, I can share from my experience how I have found God's revelations to be true, trustworthy, secure, and freeing.
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship