Outrage as Social Currency
Today’s media systems use outrage as a currency to drive engagement. But is outrage a poison pill that is tearing us apart? I suggest there’s a better way to exist in this modern social media world.
Growth
A Year of Personal Firsts in 2022
2022 was a challenging, interesting, and fulfilling year for me. I couldn’t have predicted many of the “firsts” that happened, but I’m thankful for all of them.
Deadly Contempt
I’ve noticed an interesting trend in my online discussions and readings: contempt as a starting point of interaction. I can only conclude that this issue has always been there, but I’m only newly noticing it. As I think about my own history, I realize that this was often how I approached others for years. So …
A Man Shall Leave His Father and Mother
On this occasion of my 30th anniversary, I am finding that the most famous pair of Bible verses about marriage means far more to me than I ever thought possible, and it’s not just about marriage. I am called to leave many things, not just my father and mother, as I pursue the Lord and His calling on my life.
Boundaries
Boundaries are a good thing. I’m adjusting my boundaries on social media, so I have better chances to learn from others, and to minimize the emotional arguments that so often pop up.
Come Let Us Mourn and Rejoice TOGETHER
What if the very time we’re supposed to mourn with those who mourn is when we’re rejoicing over the very thing they’re mourning? Or the very time we’re supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice is exactly when we’re mourning the very thing they’re rejoicing?
June 2022 Updates to the Reading List
I added nine more books to the Reading List page today. Check that page for full details.
Relics
Faith isn’t just carrying around someone else’s bucket of old dusty relics; faith is doing the hard work of examining each one carefully to see which are worth keeping.
To Be A Christian in Babylon
Taking Native American land and life to secure European refugees the ability to worship God freely is deeply enshrined in the Christian Nationalism view of American history. But that seems to run counter to the nature and actions of God described throughout the Bible.
Things I Have Learned This Year
I am finding that many things I was taught were dangerously one-sided and served to uncritically reinforce the views I was given. But when I add additional history to my understanding, I am forced to pull back from many conclusions and doctrines and political understandings.