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A new poem: “Jude”

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:32:03 -0500

Curator Magazine has published my new poem, “Jude.” Jude is the patron saint of lost causes.

Jude

When Jude came back to class
He did not talk about the accident.
His right arm, severed at the elbow,
Would move by reflex,
To his embarrassment and ours.
He would bend over, half turned, when he stood
For the Pledge of Allegiance, girls snickering.
But it was always there, his stub of an arm;
He could not hide it, and we hated him for it.
Jude would stand, a bush half pruned,
Blushing with an increased growth
And fruitfulness we could not see.
Our dead or overgrown branches scratched at him
Through a foliage so thick we could not breathe.

Why Christ Needs Christianity

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:26:22 -0500

Back in March the Huffington Post was very kind to invite me to blog for them. I wish I had time to blog more, but I just don’t these days. Regardless, I was very happy that they “approved” my most recent post, “Why Christ Needs Christianity.” It’s an important topic, and one very close to my heart since I feel called to Christian ministry.

“Have the words "Christian" and "Christianity" become dirty words? From writers like Shane Hipps to songsters like Marcus Mumford, the idea that Christ does not need Christianity has become fashionable. Like the "spiritual but not religious" cliché, the idea is that Jesus did not institute an articulate, organized, religion, but a personal, nebulous message of love.
I want to suggest an old-school, if unwelcome, idea. Jesus was religious, and Christianity was his idea...”—Read more here.

Get your beard on

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:16:02 -0500

Back in February, I was very blessed to have the Huffington Post run my piece, “Get Your Beard On: A Call to Untrimmed Spirituality in a Clean-Shaven World.” It’s a playful allegory, an invitation to believe...better.

“From bearded indie rockers to hipster barkeeps, facial hair is in. And with it come rumors of a holy renaissance. Men and women everywhere are rediscovering the hairy lore of church history, the long curly whiskers of the saints, the bearded patriarchs of the Bible, and how our own spiritual lives can be gnarly and unclipped.

What is more spiritual than facial hair? Socrates and Plato sported the philosophers beard, King David was the first of the bearded poets, and who can forget the gross and swarthy beard of Jesus of Nazareth? Jesus immortalized the beard. To this day, no matter how many centuries have passed since his ascension, growing a thick beard is a pastime for holy men (and maybe even a few women)...“ —read more here.

We are but dust

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:01:39 -0600

Last week I was blessed to share a very short homily at a beautiful church I’m interning at, Christ Redeemer: A Church in the Anglican Communion's Ash Wednesday Service—not knowing that a journalist from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was in our midst. Apart from the political opining, he captures the central theme of our communion and worship...and calls me "one scruffy orator"! The central message of the night was that we are mortal because of sin, and that our only hope is in Christ. If you’d like, you can check out the thoughtful article here.

Psalm 51
Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness
According to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences.
Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.
Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying, and clear when Thou art judged.
Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
But lo, Thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
Turn Thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.
Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of Thy help again: and stablish me with Thy free Spirit.
Then shall I teach Thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness.
Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall shew Thy praise.
For Thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it Thee: but Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise.
O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young calves upon Thine altar.

Trans World Radio

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:22:52 -0600

I had the privilege to talk with James on Trans World Radio about marriage as a sacrament, the closeness of God, and how our world is packed with miracles in the corners. This was one of the most enjoyable radio interviews I've ever had. James' accent is charming, his questions were thoughtful, and I even enjoyed the contemporary Christian music "breaks." Check it out!

You can download or stream the interview here.