parables of a prodigal world

Internet Monk announces the probable end of iM.com 's 8-year run, in order to focus his considerable insights on a new project called Jesus Shaped Spirituality . Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan. iM.com has been a daily read for me for quite some time, and the Monk (Michael Spencer, for those who don't know) always makes me think. Don't always agree, but always makes me think. Thinking is a good thing. Not always, but usually. And nobody does it quite the same way as the Monk. While I was sad to hear the news of the end of iM.com, I think I was more excited to hear about the new project, and more specifically, the basis for the decision. In Michael's own characteristically to-the-point words: I believe I’ve said about all there is to say about the situation of evangelicals. It’s time to leave a more positive trail for others to follow into the post-evangelical future. Jesus Shaped Spirituality is that trail, I believe. For those of us influenced by the Mon...

The other day, my 2-year-old and I were engaged in one of our favorite pastimes, watching Sesame Street video clips online . Most of the clips are from recent episodes, but I guess they also have some classic oldies. I came across this clip, and it was hauntingly familiar. I realized that I hadn't seen it for thirty-some-odd years. And I remembered being afraid of it when I was a child. I didn't know why. Maybe the background music, but I don't think so. ( Couldn't embed it from the Sesame Street site; so I found it on YouTube ) I'm certain the good folks over at Sesame Street only intended it to be a child's lesson about the letter "M," and a short word that starts with it. But it also turned out to be a pretty accurate prophecy about my life vis-a-vis my relationship with God, constantly fighting for "me" until I finally came face to face with "Me." The scary part is, it also made my son afraid when he saw it. I hope that was onl...

I Despised God; He Loved Me. ___________________________________________ I was tagged by Jonathan to participate in the Six Word Memoir meme. Here’s how it works: 1. Write your own memoir using only six words; 2. Post it on your blog; 3. Link to the person that tagged you; 4. Tag five more blog friends. So I tag… Trevin Michael Eugene Shane Ben Mofast Grace and Peace, Raffi

A good friend sent me an e-mail regarding my correspondence with N.T. Wright . In it, he remarked about how he is fascinated by the Bishop's humility in interacting "with us wanna-be theologians." I fully agree with my friend's comments, in a number of respects, e.g., Bishop Wright's humility, the "wanna-be" aspect of (my, at least) theological endeavors. But then, I got to thinking. I tend to do that from time to time, and this friend's comments tend to get me going in that direction. "Wanna-be theologian..." "Wanna-be theologian..." "...theologian..." This is gonna be nebulous, but I'll give it a shot. Over the last few days, I've encountered a few writings that, stronger and stronger, impress upon me how much I don't want to be a theologian , or to expend much energy in such "-ogy" endeavors. And I say this in the "study of God as science" sense in which the term is used. Mind you, I w...

Happy Mother's Day to all those amazing women who give of their own beings for the benefit of their children. Like Jochabed (Moses' mom), one of Time Magazine's " Best Mom's Ever ." According to the Torah , when the Pharaoh demanded that all newborn Jewish males be killed, Jochebad was in a bad way. Not only was she one of the Jewish midwives ordered to carry out this evil plan, she was also pregnant with her own male child. Jochebad put her newborn in the Nile as the Pharaoh demanded, but shrewdly hid him in a little basket that floated downstream where the boy was safely discovered and adopted by the Pharaoh's childless daughter. Then Jochebad insinuated herself into the Pharaoh's family as a nurse so she could raise her son (who just so happened to grow up and liberate the Jewish people from slavery) AND get paid for it. Smart thinking, sister! Before you send those congratulatory e-mails to Time for hitting the nail on the head with Jochabed, also...