The Way We’ve Always Done It
Once there was island nation called Potamus, where the trees grew short and stout and the residents lived on seaweed. The island was volcanic, and frequent eruptions of hot gas singed the treetops and forced the rain forest to grow out rather than up. The volcano was only middle-aged and mostly friendly. It still lay low in the center of the island rather than a mountain looming high over it. It would remain so for centuries to come for it was content to bubble and puff rather than build itself up with lava at the cost of destruction of life on the ring of land.
The creatures who lived on Potamus were gray and bulbus, with long tubular noses.
On Stewardship, Slowness and Connection
Remaining disconnected from broken humans and animals that know a thousand ways to die may seem the easier route, but it’s infinitely less satisfying. Much like the health benefits from choosing regenerative farming, choosing to make disciples comes with incalculable benefits, life abundantly. We can all sit and remain “blissfully ignorant” consumers. I won’t pretend that there isn’t pain in watching an addict relapse or a child struggle in an incredibly difficult home. I won’t pretend that it’s easy to encounter my own flesh as we plow, sow and harvest alongside other believers. But friends, the growth and joy and drawing deep into Jesus is more bliss than any ignorance can pretend to give.
Winter (dis)Contentment - You can’t hygge without gratefulness.
Isn’t it just like us humans? We work hard and play hard all summer long. On a farm, that means watering, weeding, rotating pastures, and turning compost in between trips to the river. And for what? So we have nutritious food to eat all winter long and have supplies for beautiful handmade goods over cheap imitations. By the time Autumn comes, most of us gardeners and farmers are worn out enough to appreciate the first frosts as a signal to slow down. Somewhere inside, we know we need the rest. And yet we are quick to loathe the season for it.
Advent Week 2; Peace & Place
Although advent devotionals often assign week two the theme of peace, this idea stems from the traditional theme of Bethlehem or lighting the “Bethlehem candle” where peace on earth was declared. So in addition to discussing peace this week, I’d like to talk about place. We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, the City of David, to poorish parents. Last week we discussed the culture he was born into and how the Roman-occupied Jews would have anticipated the coming of their King. But I want to peel back another layer for a moment. We’ll come back to the concept of visible place; let’s chat about the unseen realm.
Advent Week 1
When Nic was a youth pastor, sometimes he would relish these terrible, awkward silences. Usually, he would ask a question, personal or interpretive, that no one felt inclined to answer. So he’d say, “That’s fine. I can wait.” And he would. It killed me. The silence was honestly painful to my brain. Apparently, the youth kids felt the same because eventually someone would be tortured by the silence into answering. That was a tiny moment. Can you imagine God saying, “Are you going to change your ways?” “Be aware that a time is coming…” And then he just—
Escape to Nowhere / Iridescent Poison
I prayed for refuge from the poisonous fumes I had fancied. I begged to get away from the ever-dry storm that brought smoke in front of flames.
Do you know what happened?
He refused.
Meditate Day & Night
Whether we are new to following God’s instructions like Jill, or more experienced like the friend she had with her, our steps are not always crystal clear. We are at war; we will get tired and hungry and cold. Beware, dear friends, of the easy way out. Our adversary loves to offer us precisely what we want when we’re in the thick of things. But we know that’s not what we actually need. God promises in 2 Peter 1 that he gives us everything we need for life and godliness.
