For years and years I have held to what I have called a “remnant theology.” I haven’t voiced it well, and I know my version of it may not match up with other thoughts. There is always a remnant. While we chase numbers and bigness, that is never a true measure of the Kingdom of God.
Read moreAuthor Interview with Traci Rhoades
This was a life-giving conversation about the Church and how we can learn so much as we listen and observe. Click HERE for the podcast.
Please visit Traci at her website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
You can purchase her book HERE.
You can also visit my YouTube channel to see the video of the interview.
The current failure falls to me
I cannot state enough times or emphatically enough how much I am blown away with Jeremiah being the reading in the Daily Office at the time we are in culturally. These reminders are stark. I am also reminded of my own struggle as a pastor.
Read moreOur hearts are set on the wrong things
I know I was reading Jeremiah 4-5 years ago. I have long known the grief I’ve sensed concerning the American Church. The grief I feel now is much deeper.
Read moreWhere am I found?
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:15-17)
This is the challenge I have in my life: where can I be found? Since moving from a place I lived for 20 years, I’ve had to rebuild those places and I can honestly say it’s hard on me.
Read moreThe grief I still feel
7 You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived;
you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
everyone mocks me.
8 Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach all day long.
9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot. (Jer. 20:7-9)
The Hill We Climb — Amanda Gorman
A prayer for the nation
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 2019)
Call out racism
I am all too guilty of reposting MLK quotes on MLK Day. We are far too quick to give empty platitudes to a man we’d ridicule today as a felon because he spent so much time in jail.
Read moreWe are not healed
There has been a lot of analysis… and a lot of “what did you expect”… and a lot of “how could this happen”… since January 6.
Read more