Time Away
I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem... — Galatians 1:17-18
Between the stories, there were pauses. Extensive pauses. Moses fled to Midian for 40 years. Then went to Mt. Sinai for 40 days to be with God. Moses and Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert. Paul spent three years in Arabia and Damascus. Then, there were the Desert Fathers and others over many centuries.
Attention
For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. — Psalm 25:11
Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. — Psalm 115:1
Not to go to heaven when I die.
Not to save my reputation.
Not to experience ministry success.
Not to preserve an institution.
But for the sake of your great name.
Many Crowns
the Lamb upon his throne.
⏤ Matthew Bridges (1851)
I lay my crown at his feet. All the crowns I have set on Paul, Apollos, or any other human being, I place at his feet. Crowns offered to philosophies, comforts, and status, I take back and deposit at his feet.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.
- 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
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
The God of the Bible looks like Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. It would be just like him to go to the cross.