Redemptive Relationships
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I can move forward in love for others and not be so devastated by others’ (de)valuation of me because of Christ.
I take absolutely no pleasure in the suffering of my friends—so I was brought to my knees this past week when I learned how deeply and terribly my dearest sister in Christ was being hurt, not by unbelievers, but by Christians. Christians in her own church. Her own church leaders for whom she has faithfully prayed and submitted to (with joy) for years and years! How is it possible that It made me mad. It made me sick. It drove me to pray—so that’s one good thing. Plus! I’m getting to email more with my friend, which I love. Although the topics are still making me pretty sick to…
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Unconditionally and Unselfishly Committed to One Another
From Tim Keller’s post, Living Stones—Intense Community: “… The Bible tells us we were built for covenantal relationships. We want and need to have other persons unconditionally, unselfishly committed to us, and we to them. Christian theology tells us we were made in the image of God, and that God is a Trinity. Jesus said he never did anything, said anything, or accomplished anything without his Father. The persons of the Trinity are absolutely one—each person does everything with the others. We were meant to live like that. Sin, of course, makes all human community difficult and at times painful. But it is suicidal to avoid all food just because…
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The Covenantal Life: Appreciating the Beauty of Theology and Community (by Sarah Ivill)
As an attorney and professional mediator, I deeply appreciate resources that help people to strengthen and enjoy community. As a seminary student, I delight in books the elucidate both philosophy and theology, especially covenant theology. But this tour de force from Sarah Ivill is the first book I have endorsed that perfectly illumines the way that “covenant theology leads to community life that is governed by the God of the covenant.” As you study this resource alone or in groups, I am confident that you will be well grounded in truth, and then equipped to graciously share that truth with others because, “theology is not just something we know; it…
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“Brothers and sisters, let us pray!” — My Review and Endorsement of Megan Hill’s “Praying Together”
I love beautiful prose and apt illustrations. When I book teaches me a new word (or two or three!), I know I am in for a treat. But my favorite thing of all about excellent Christian writing is when I forget the author and stop even noticing the beauty and wisdom of the words, because my heart is actively being drawn to meditate on the Triune God as revealed in Holy Scripture. And thus it is with Megan Hill’s, “Praying Together: The Priority and Privilege of Prayer in Our Homes, Communities, and Churches.” This is an excellent book on prayer that I endorse and recommend without hesitation. Unlike some of…
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The Loving of Awkward People and People We Intensely Dislike
From D.A. Carson’s book, Love in Hard Places (bold and italicized emphases mine): Not all Christians face persecuting enemies, but all Christians face little enemies. We encounter people whose personality we intensely dislike— – an obstreperous deacon or church leader – a truly revolting relative – an employee or employer who specializes in insensitivity, rudeness, and general arrogance – people with whom you have differed on some point of principle who take all differences in a deeply personal way and who nurture bitterness for decades, stroking their own self-righteousness and offended egos as they go – insecure little people who resent and try to tear down those who are even marginally…
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This confrontation was hard — but oh, so good.
Recently, I was confronted on an important topic by someone I trust and admire. Thankfully, God had graciously helped me to prepare for this meeting by calling me to prayer, reflection (I mentally worked through the Scripture passages and questions in the very same “Peacemaker Workbook” that I have used with mediation clients for over twenty years now), and listening to two spiritually-mature, insightful friends who know me quite well (and thus, they know my strengths, weaknesses, and proclivities in general). So I was in a pretty good place when the meeting started and I can honestly say that the vast majority of the meeting was deeply enjoyable for me. I had the privilege of…
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The Insidiousness of Gossip
The other day*, a certain friend “just mentioned” to Fred and me how another woman had said some pretty unkind things about us. (There’s nothing like “sharing” information about someone that makes everyone involved look bad, is there? This friend was attacking us in a sort of passive way; the other woman was allegedly speaking ill of us to others; and now we were tempted to not think so highly of the other woman either. UGH! Gossip is insidious!) ANYWAY … since our friend alleged that this other woman was telling people that we had “devastated” (crushed / offended / hurt) her, we knew we were into the realm of…
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Tara — You told me I was nowhere near done reconciling.
I recently received an encouraging note from a real-life friend from grad school. She references a telephone conversation we had years ago, but most of you will, I’m sure, recognize in her story that ALL I did was share with her the exact same love and counsel that a friend had shared with me years ago. Plus, ironically, even though she credits me with this conversation (so apparently I did have it with her), I was actually really REALLY convicted when I read what she wrote! I’m a little lacking in the love department for certain people these days. Oh, I can try to justify it all I want.…
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“Don’t worry, Mom. The pastors will come.”
I just arrived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania after a long day of travel from Montana. Some minor hiccups along the way (including a sincere PTSD reaction to sitting in the same row of a 757 that I was sitting in back in January when the overhead bin popped open—twice!—and heavy bags dropped on my head both times). But all things considered, it was an uneventful day. Most things went just fine. But one thing was remarkably, beautifully, so precious and good. It actually started a little scarily for me … When I picked up a voicemail during my airport sprint in Detroit, I heard a man’s voice introducing himself as the pastor…
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The Only Way to Overcome Evil and Fear is with Goodness and Love
I’m not sure from where I took these notes, but they are around ten years old, so I’m assuming they are a combination of sermons, people from my church, and anything and everything from CCEF: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” … “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged!” From Deuteronomy 31 The only way…