Explorer
Like any culture, God’s kingdom is vast, deep, and layered. As a relative newcomer (we’re all beginners), there’s so much to discover in its frontiers. Am I pressing in to learn—and to adapt? Am I growing up and branching out? And, do I resist the relentless tug of the ‘old kingdom’ that’s all around me? I know my tendency will be to prefer comfort, and the world’s patterns pull hard, but I also know these ‘weeds’ choke out life and freedom. (cf. Matt. 13:22)
HE>I
It's true that He is greater than I. It's a bit of an understatement, right? One hundred is greater than 99. And God's omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, omnibenevolence, and omnificence are greater than my very limited analogs. Both are true, but the scale of the comparison is so different.
It's also true that I'm not nothing. You're not nothing. We are not worms, as some have taught. Each of us has been created in God's image to bear his image. In limited ways, we project God's glory individually and together.
Elder to Elder
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. — 1 Peter 5:1-3
Elder isn't a title given to people who run things. Instead, it should be the natural outcome of life with God over many years.
- 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
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.