Writing
Essays and working ideas from more than fifteen years of writing about faith, leadership, discipleship, the church, family, and life in Austin.
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The Church and The Surprising Offense of God’s Love
I’ve been reading The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love by Jonathan Leeman, and although I’ve had some disagreements with the book, it has been an excellent read. I wanted to share a few…
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Good Friday – Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? [1] And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root…
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Without the Gospel | Challies Dot Com
The following quote is from John Calvin, via Without the Gospel | Challies Dot Com. It is some really great stuff, and very much encouraged me yesterday. Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without…
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Current Reads
I’m currently digging into a few new books, compliments of the best Christmas present ever, an shiny new Amazon Kindle 2: The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love by Jonathan Leeman Deep Church by…
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Adoption and Redemption
Reflecting on Ephesians 1:1-14 the other day, God struck me with a profound truth about the very nature of salvation: In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his…
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Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I pray that the simple, yet miraculous truth that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” rests profoundly on you during these few weeks!
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2009 Top Posts – Ethereal Thought Train
I’ve pretty much let Ethereal Thought Train go stale in the last two months, but I figured to close out 2009 I’d throw out your favorite posts of the year. Without further adieu, here they are:…
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American Charitable Giving | mint.com
I thought the image below from the Mint.com blog was fascinating. It’s long, but worth a look. budget planner – Mint.com
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Giving Thanks
I’m sitting in the passenger seat on my way to the inlaws’ family thanksgiving and dwelling on this great American holiday, so I figured I’d jot down some thoughts. In no particular order: Most of the…
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Lessons from a Razor
As many of you know, I was in a South Asian country with two other pastors from The Austin Stone, and we had an unfortunate incident with some youth. My friend who was attacked has written…
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Home on the Range
After flying ~15,000 miles in the past 6 days, and sleeping for ~16 hours over that span, I’m officially home with my family. I am grateful to God for the time I was able to spend…
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A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Psalm 59:16-17 16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of…