Across Church Street
Life’s lawn
There's a house on my running route that recently burned. Once the investigations are complete, I'm sure it will be torn down and rebuilt. But what caught my eye today was the lawn. It hasn't been mowed since the fire. And the weed growth is impressive (I'm sure the neighbors would choose a different word).
What we call 'weeds' are really just native plants. It's the grass that's foreign. But we tend to think the grass belongs and wonder where all the weeds come from.
Life is like a lawn. Left untended, worldly things just shoot up. We don't have to wonder where they come from. They're native. And the surrounding environment suits them perfectly. By contrast, Kingdom things are imported. They require attention, care, hard work.
Lawn Care Tip: Landscapers tell us the best way to control weeds is to maintain healthy grass.
Why do good things happen to bad people?
“[God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
As a pastor I am often asked "Why do bad things happen to good people?" But rarely do I get this other question. Really, why do good things happen at all?
I once worked for a company that preached "What's good for you personally will be good for the company". This Darwinian 'survival of the fittest' philosophy could lead nowhere good (and it didn't).
From what I know of The Fall, sin, world history, current events, and my own heart, the source of any goodness is a mystery. But it's a mystery God reveals to everyone willing to see.
I hear you
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.”
Normally I would tell you a beautiful chicken is the one sizzling on my plate. But recently I saw a Blue-laced Red Wyandotte. A stunningly beautiful bird.
Why is there so much variety and beauty? Is it not God speaking to us of Himself?
- love
- friendship
- beauty
- thankful
- attunement
- communion
- discipline
- video
- hope
- hania rani
- holiness
- serving
- seth godin
- dean sherman
- across
- covenant
- music
- eternal life
- justice
- embodiment
- wonder
- gracious
- hesed
- welcome
- poetry
- rest
- image
- brokenness
- disruption
- invitation
- companion mode
- resonance
- steadfast
- observer mode
- framework
- pastoral
- oneness
- caritas
- difference
- shalom
- john stott
- worship
- status
- care
I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.