Known
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. — John 10:14-15
"I know my sheep and my sheep know me." We've been told that Christianity isn't a religion, but a relationship. Do we really believe it? Jesus' language here is so personal and relational. This is what eternal life looks like.
Umbrella
There are some in my life who stand out as people who shaped me in significant ways: parents, my wife, pastors, and a few teachers. Today, I'm feeling a sense of gratitude for the many others who have dripped things into my life—things I don't really notice but subconsciously depend on every day. Here's an umbrella expression of gratitude to all of them!
Work Backwards
If we're honest, Kingdom-meets-world case studies are difficult. Conversations on violence go like this: If someone breaks into my house and threatens my family... What about Law Enforcement and the military? On lying: Is it okay to lie when hiding a victim? These are tough questions, and I respect the different viewpoints. But what if none of these situations apply to me right now?
Starting with this level of complexity shuts down our imagination for something better. Wouldn't it be wiser to start from the other end — a wholehearted commitment to Kingdom values — then work backwards into the situations we actually face?
- 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