The Irish poet Cecil Day Lewis observed, “We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.” I have come to accept this as an axiom of my existence. Although my training and discipline emphasizes effective, clear communication, increasingly I find a strange solace in ambiguity. Like the folds of … Continue reading I’m worried about me too
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” but in my case a picture is also worth at least a thousand undone deeds. The picture I’m referencing was taken sometime in the late 1980s and featured four misfits, including me at a Pentecostal youth camp in Redfield, Arkansas. Redfield, a small rural community, just about an … Continue reading A picture worth a thousand deeds not done.
On the August 9, 2021 edition of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, David K. Bernard, the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International, addressed the question “Is Critical Race Theory compatible with Christianity?” Even though I disagree with many of his theological positions, generally speaking, I have found Superintendent Bernard to be thorough in his … Continue reading David K. Bernard misses the mark on Critical Race Theory.
One of the unfortunate consequences of growing up as a small, skinny kid with little to no athletic talents, is that I was always picked last when participating in playground games. This happened enough that eventually, I stopped wanting to participate in the games because of the shame of not being anyone’s number-one pick. To … Continue reading In defense of humble progress
A review of Permission Granted by Jennifer Grace Bird The Apostle Paul gives a command in 1 Thessalonians 5:26 that no one obeys, at least not that I have seen. Paul commands “greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.” There isn’t a First Century time cap on this command; it has no cultural caveats … Continue reading “Don’t kiss me Brah”
As well-intentioned Christians, we often make claims about how God speaks to us. There is a plethora of sentimental illustrations that seek to bolster our claims, including but not limited to, beautiful landscapes, picturesque mountains, the galaxy as seen through the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope, babies, puppies, trees, and the ubiquitous “two sets … Continue reading Mentor misadventures/Me and Mark Driscoll.
I was thinking about how little the Bible says about Church meetings. I was hard pressed to come up with an actual passage that describes a New Testament Church meeting. There are lots of passages that give us a glimpse into what it meant to be a part of the Church in New Testament times, … Continue reading Church meetings or Church doings?
Dearest Harlow, We are all thrilled at hearing you will be arriving tomorrow. There has been so much joy in preparing for you to join us. I know we haven't met formally, but I'm your Appa. It is a strange title with origins in the Korean language, and your Dad tells me it also has … Continue reading A few last minute things before you arrive.
Dear Pastor, I was incredibly blessed by your defense of expository preaching in your sermon last Sunday. The way you always manage to provide such vivid details from Bible verses is encouraging and inspiring, and upon reflection, I can’t think of a Sunday where you haven’t defended your methods, making it clear that as a … Continue reading Dear White American Pastor…
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” — Anais Nin Like millions of Americans I took a stroll down a nostalgic highway and enjoyed watching Friends: The Reunion, also known as "The one where they … Continue reading My own “Friends” reunion episode
Scot Loyd 
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