Category: Christian Spirituality
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We Are in the World, But Not Of It
“To the temporary residents of the dispersion,” Peter writes. What is, in my Bible, translated “dispersed” is more properly a noun: the dispersion, or the diaspora. The English Standard Version renders it “those who are elect exiles.” In this first-century world Peter was writing to Jewish communities planted throughout the Greek-speaking and Greek-encultured Roman Empire.…
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I Am Not Enough (And That’s Just Fine)
Recently I heard someone talking about this incredible truth he had discovered, that “I am enough.” It’s a popular idea right now, especially among the quasi-Eastern mindfulness crowd. The idea is that we are enough, in ourselves; we have everything we need; we are all we need. On the surface, this seems like clear nonsense.…
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A Christmas Letter
Almighty God, I don’t understand. What are You doing in a child’s body? Why are You putting Yourself in a dirty stable on a cold night? Why are You entrusting Your beautiful Son to the care of two confused and vulnerable human beings? The angels are singing tonight: the King has come! The Mighty God,…
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I Remember Christmas
Note: Refiner’s Fire will return in January 2020. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this reflection from my book Now for the Not-Yet: And Other Essays on Everyday Discipleship When I was small we lived in a northern part of Ontario, in Canada, and up there the snow falls early and thick on cold, clear nights…
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WDJD?: How Jesus Walked His Talk, and Why What He DID Matters
Note: Refiner’s Fire will return in January 2020. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this reflection from my book Still Praying in the Wilderness and Other Essays for the Spiritually Thirsty. My old journals line my top shelf, crammed in next to each other, a mishmash of colours and styles. Hardbound books, cheap scratch pads, date…
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The Other Christian Faith: On Trust, Works, and Putting Our Faith Where It Counts
Note: Refiner’s Fire is set to return in January 2020. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this reflection from my book Still Praying in the Wilderness and Other Essays for the Spiritually Thirsty. When I first fell in love with God, I thought the initial starry glow would never wear off. I cared so much about…
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Weak: Reflections on the Spirit and the Flesh
Note: Refiner’s Fire truly will be back soon! In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this deeply honest reflection from my book Still Praying in the Wilderness and Other Essays for the Spiritually Thirsty. # I’m so tired. It’s two o’clock in the morning. I’m staring bleary-eyed at my computer, praying that this huge file will finish…
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Fear and Trembling: Reflections on Reality
Note: Refiner’s Fire truly will be back soon! Life and research have conspired to create a pause, but it should not last much longer. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this reflection on what really matters, taken from my book Still Praying in the Wilderness and Other Essays for the Spiritually Thirsty. Life can be worrisome…
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The God Backstage: On the Presence of God in the Mundane
Note: Refiner’s Fire will be back soon. I’m still wrapping up a particularly tricky bit in the middle, but it will be posted here soon. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this essay on God in the mundane and the high moments of our lives. (This essay is taken from my book Still Praying in the Wilderness…
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I Surrender All: Reflections on Surrender to Jesus
Note: Refiner’s Fire will be back soon. I’m currently hunkered down researching some of the history pieces for it; the next section will be posted here soon. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this reflection on surrender to God, especially in times when we don’t understand. All to Jesus, I surrender All to him I…