How to Cry

The music of Eminem intrigues me.  He is a man of broken hopes and dreams with a flood of sorrow and depression.  He is known in the evangelical circles for his crass lyrics and spoiled language.  And, for the reason of his spoiled language I don’t often recommend his music.  But, in his amazing talent he is doing something important in his songs.  We do not often realize what he is doing because we don’t understand the poetry of lament.  Eminem is singing out of a place of incredible pain.  He sings for many Americans as he cries out his lament.  In his day he was the voice of lament in our culture.

Repairing Race Relations - a Christian response to racial tensions

When considering the relationship between the races, America has a painful history.  This history is full of black eyes and ongoing shame.  There are many reasons for the struggle we face today.  It is a complex and sorrowful situation. 

Enjoying Evangelism

Let us say that for my anniversary I decide I am going to get flowers for my wife.  So I go to the florist and get 12 roses.  Then I get all duded up in my best bow-tie.  Taking my well-dressed self, I walk up to her holding the flowers.  When my wife sees me coming she will get excited.  However, if in the moment of truth I, with no love or ceremony, thrust the flowers at her and say, "I got you these because I had to, it is our anniversary."  What would that say?  I got you these because I had to.   I can tell you I would be wearing those roses on my head. 

I Love Jesus, but I DON'T Hate His Church

I love Jesus, but I don’t hate His Church.  It is popular to hate His Church, but I don’t.  The Church, she is filled with all sorts of fools, failures, and hypocrites, and I am proud to be numbered among them.

Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness

Image Source: Darwin Bell from flicker

What are the beatitudes? The beatitudes set the orientation of the heart. They say that we would be the type of people who love and reflect God’s character.  When we our hearts are aligned with the beatitudes we seek God honestly.

The first half of the Lord’s Prayer is a petition for God’s kingdom to reign on earth.  It is a cry for the holiness and justice of God to be manifested here on earth as it is in heaven.  This is not a prayer for escape but a prayer for restored relationships and correct ordering.  (I think that too often we skip past hollowed be your name, skip past your kingdom come and jump right to give us our bread, and keep evil away from us.)