Corrosion
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9a
If I am being corroded by the environment, I have three options:
Apply paint. Guard myself against the elements and live a shielded life.
Go inside. Withdraw and live a solitary life.
Be made of better stuff. Show up ready and be who I've been made to be, completed by God's grace.
Boldness & Courage
And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” ⏤ Matthew 19:16
When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. ⏤ Matthew 19:22
Don't confuse boldness with courage. Brashness often masks a lack of courage. The way of Jesus is hard and costly. Many turn away, some with sorrow, others with expressions of certainty intended to deflect.
Systematic
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ⏤ 1 Corinthians 13:12
So many systematic theologies. All claim to be Bible-based, but they are very different, even divergent. Why? Maybe because systems aren't God's aim? God wants to be known, face to face – just as he knows us. He wants us to apprehend Love and give love, first to him, and to our neighbor. He wants us to trust him and to be trustworthy.
- 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
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.