Theological Rants, Musings on the Mystical, and Wonderings about Stuff
One cannot be a Christian without a spiritual connection with God via liturgy (specifically the service of the Lord’s Supper), and that one cannot be a Christian without doing work for the sake of the least in the world. Do both and let one inform the other.
Read MoreWonder Woman, Storytelling, and what it means to be a hero/savior
Read MoreWho are our heroes? Do we lift up individuals more than we should? Do we look at Jesus with a sense that he struggles in his leadership? Get angry and read the Bible - all in this episode.
Read MoreWhat it comes down to is that we need relationships. We need people who will support us, help us, and challenge us. And, we can’t do mission on our own. We need to be connected and denominations, at their best, make those connections. So be active and involved with your denomination.
Read MoreGet angry about mean people and teachers with guns, spend time with Jesus getting angry clearing the temple, and read the graphic novel Demon - an action-packed episode!
Read MoreThere is something about the wilderness that brings one to a thin place – a place where God is experienced differently than in the normalcy of the world. The challenges, the separation, the pace, all tend to add to the ways in which God can be engaged.
Read MoreGetting angry about people who are selfish, self-promoting, navel-gazing narcissists is not an easy thing to do, but some still will try.
Read MoreWhat does it mean when your pastor calls and asks to make a visit? What does it mean when someone complains that the pastor did not visit or does not visit enough? There are a whole bevy of expectations and demands and assumptions that come along with the idea of visitation for better or worse.
Read MoreHere is a fallacy of today: Is it best to think about ourselves, about what works best for us, or to think of others? Whatever is best for me is then the best and other people can struggle. The truth that best meets my needs is the truth that I will embrace. There is so much wrong with this morality of selfishness.
Read MoreThe idea of church being a community is something that may feel counter-cultural for society as well as for many churches. It is something that is not primarily based on a notion of getting out there and changing the world, but more on getting connected with each other and with God and in that way changing the world.
Read MoreDavid VanBrakle and Jonathan discuss the church shootings in Texas and how the 80s should not yet be a standard for Halloween costumes, They look at Amos 5:18-24, and discuss one good book and one god photrapher.
Read MoreWe all need to have time to rest and reconnect with God. We all need time to be able to reminded ourselves why it is that we are Christians and what our walk of faith looks like. If you can give your pastor a sabbatical then you should – she or he deserves it! If you can take some time for yourself then you should – you deserve it!
Read MoreIt is frustrating when people look past their history and fall into a narrative that they believe regardless of the past. It is frustrating is when people do not look into the idea of changing and reforming. Lots of frustration.
Read MoreWhat do we do with those things that frustrate and anger us - big or small? How do the frustrations impact our relationship with God and what is the role of the Holy Spirit when we are caught in the anger?
Read MoreThe Trinity is one of those very complicated and very essential parts of Christianity. Because of its complexity it is often overlooked. Because of its necessity it needs to be brought again and again back into the mind of Christian.
Read MoreWhat is pushed as "normal" is often harmful in quiet and subtle ways (or great and bombastic ways). Normal has become not listening to each other, or having angry conversations with people we disagree with. We need to break the norms that harm us individually and as a society.
Read MoreCommunity is founded in one way or another on communication. From light conversation to deep talks and everything in-between, all is important and necessary. Deliberate conversation, and thus deliberate relationships can offer a foundation for community and for individual identity.
Read MoreStarbucks barista and great talker Alex Hand joins Jonathan to discuss truth, openness to other ideas, and scripture.
Read MoreDown with tolerance and up with diversity! Doug Avilesbernal wrote the book Welcoming Community: Diversity that Works and talks with Jonathan about the idea diversity in a Christian community.
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