I’m starting to see much of the failure in my faith in Jesus and who he is for me is about tomorrow. What will happen tomorrow? And usually the answer to that question reverts to a negative. There is no sense…or little sense of Jesus being there for tomorrow. Even though the Bible is rife with him telling me he would be.
Knox: Do I have to just be kind to just Dylan (little brother)?
Me: No buddy, you need to be kind to everyone.
Knox: Aww man.
I’ve been asked by a few people why I like the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club so much. The answer probably requires a full blog post but I’ll tell you two things for the present. They sound like every dream and failure and joy I’ve ever had and all the blood and sweat and tears in between. Back on Oct. 12th after seeing them live I wrote “it was like every raw nerve being plucked by the holy God who flung it all into being.” It still feels that way.
I feel like I’m seeing a trend among Progressives in the church. They want conservatives to stop being conservative and are willing to support legislation to that end. And then they chastise conservatives for feeling persecuted.
Over one 11-season span Lou Gehrig averaged 153 RBIs. That’s averaging one RBI a game for 11 seasons.
I find it hilarious and yet not very funny that Jonathan Merritt among others thinks Jesus would be the photographer of a gay wedding. I cannot think of a
time in church history when any of our theologians thought this, until now. It is absurd journalism. And it’s the very thing liberals always accuse evangelicals of, infusing faith with politics.
A week from today, Bethany and I will celebrate 15 years of two things. First, 15 years of joy in marriage. Second, 15 years of being confused with Matt and Beth Redman.
Most blogging and in fact Christian writing is polemics. Even social media belies this. But it’s rarely polemics of the self. It rarely admits that “I am the problem that needs fixing.” We, Calvinists, should be the first to do this. For the “5 Points” are just that, a polemic of self.
I preached again last Sunday and was glad to do so. But it remains hard to do so and then go back to the bank which is the opposite.
This is a wonderful world to be afraid in.
Echoes and Stars 
Love the shout out to Lou Gehrig.
I’m thinking of your first thought (about the failure of faith) in the context of Exodus 5-6. Redemption had begun, but Israel ends up having to make bricks without straw at first – their burden only increases once God is “on the move.” Even Moses is caught up in the fear of today/tomorrow (5:22-23). But then God comes and speaks again about what he already did (the Covenant) and what he “will” do (6:13) in redemption). But see 6:9? The people can’t hear it – their spirits are broken. Just like you and me. But then the good news – their unbelief and fear isn’t an obstacle to God. He sends Moses and Aaron anyway (6:13) to rescue them.
Even though I often feel the same as you (in the questions about his presence tomorrow), I hear God say that the failure of my faith isn’t a hindrance to him. Then just like now in Jesus, he is always saving weak and faltering people. That’s Gospel.
Man, that’s good. Good news.
There are good things about “liberals” and “progressives,” too. Some of us even read your blog. We may not agree with you on everything politically or theologically, but we appreciate your spiritual honesty and especially your bacon jokes. Please don’t write all of us off, just because we have differing perspectives sometimes.
I’m far harder on my on my own tribe – Calvinists and conservatives – and myself than Progressives.
Fair enough. Just adding a voice to the mix. Enjoyed your book, by the way. Keep up the great work!
I have noticed that in your blog posts. I think that is why yours is one of the VERY few Calvinist/conservative blogs that I can actually read and stomach. From the department of full disclosure: I am more liberal/progressive-leaning than I was in the past (used to be a full-on strict conservative until someone at FOTF couldn’t return my email telling me where in a government bill was a section that they wanted me to call my senator/representative about to protest).