Devotion | Genesis 9

Drunk, naked, and passed out in his tent is how Ham found Noah. Thoroughly amused by the discovery, Ham came out of the tent and pointed out his father’s condition to his brothers, Japheth and Shem. Intending they would join in his enjoyment, I suspect he was surprised by their response.  Noah, by the way, was known for being righteous, for being the only person on the earth who walked with God—hence his salvation from the flood.  Is there anything more captivating than when a righteous man falls? 

Devotion | Matthew 26

It is Thanksgiving. The one day in the year that we set aside to truly meditate on all we have been given. And while we do all of our preparations for our big meal as the disciples did for their meal with Jesus, there is an enemy at work plotting the destruction of the day. Today I’m exceptionally grateful for this reminder. Because, with this little lettuce-induced reminder, I am on my guard. For me, it’s not fear that threatens my giving of thanks, it’s disappointment.

ILLUMINATE has been, without a doubt, the most thrilling part of my calling thus far. We declare God’s glory on the cliffs of communist soil. I can’t help but shake my head and ask: What on earth has God allowed me to do?

Devotion | Matthew 14:22-33

So you know the first thing the disciples did when Jesus and Peter got into the boat? They worshipped Jesus. Peter was probably cold and wet and a heaping pile of soggy tunic at Jesus' feet, and the rest of the disciples were dry and worshipping. Peter's presence and his humanity in contrast with Jesus' deity caused others to worship Jesus more.

In June I almost died. Suddenly and inexplicably my liver began to fail. Over the course of twenty-four hours, there came a time when the doctors worried I would slip into confusion and began monitoring me for the last phases of liver failure.

Walking through the world, encountering broken people and their crazy embarrassing, or ignorant moments, grace wins when we reflect on our own humanity and offer Christ’s redeeming  and unconditional love, and hope for healing in response.    I think this is how we exhibit our priesthood and usher people into the Holy of Holies: the place where Christ dwells: “….Yeah, I’m totally an unrefined and unfinished work, too.  Come and see my Jesus.  He totally get’s it, He doesn’t leave us here, and oh how he loves us so!”

Devotion | Genesis 9

Drunk, naked, and passed out in his tent is how Ham found Noah. Thoroughly amused by the discovery, Ham came out of the tent and pointed out his father’s condition to his brothers, Japheth and Shem. Intending they would join in his enjoyment, I suspect he was surprised by their response.  Noah, by the way, was known for being righteous, for being the only person on the earth who walked with God—hence his salvation from the flood.  Is there anything more captivating than when a righteous man falls? 

Devotion | Matthew 26

It is Thanksgiving. The one day in the year that we set aside to truly meditate on all we have been given. And while we do all of our preparations for our big meal as the disciples did for their meal with Jesus, there is an enemy at work plotting the destruction of the day. Today I’m exceptionally grateful for this reminder. Because, with this little lettuce-induced reminder, I am on my guard. For me, it’s not fear that threatens my giving of thanks, it’s disappointment.

Devotion | Matthew 14:22-33

So you know the first thing the disciples did when Jesus and Peter got into the boat? They worshipped Jesus. Peter was probably cold and wet and a heaping pile of soggy tunic at Jesus' feet, and the rest of the disciples were dry and worshipping. Peter's presence and his humanity in contrast with Jesus' deity caused others to worship Jesus more.

In June I almost died. Suddenly and inexplicably my liver began to fail. Over the course of twenty-four hours, there came a time when the doctors worried I would slip into confusion and began monitoring me for the last phases of liver failure.

Walking through the world, encountering broken people and their crazy embarrassing, or ignorant moments, grace wins when we reflect on our own humanity and offer Christ’s redeeming  and unconditional love, and hope for healing in response.    I think this is how we exhibit our priesthood and usher people into the Holy of Holies: the place where Christ dwells: “….Yeah, I’m totally an unrefined and unfinished work, too.  Come and see my Jesus.  He totally get’s it, He doesn’t leave us here, and oh how he loves us so!”