13Oct/23

I am a Rock? I am an Island?

October 13, 2023Church-y Stuff, Ecclesiology, Social CommentaryAnger, Church, Culture, Faith in Action, Gospel, Loneliness, Relevance, Self-ExaminationMichael

As adults we often don’t realize just how many of our decisions are based on similar attempts at fitting in, at defining our identity, at finding our role within our social context. Did I come to this church because it provides the best theological teaching, or because it offers the best programs, or the best adult groups? Did I take this job because I love doing it, or because this type of job pays more money than one that I love to do – and by extrapolation, more money will allow me to get what I really crave?

06Oct/23

The Way Home

October 6, 2023Random Thoughts, Social Commentary, SpiritualityAnxiety, Beauty, Chaos, Fear, Religion, Self Worth, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Spiritual Growth, SpiritualityMichael

So, to me, for someone to say that they are “spiritual, but not religious,” means that they are saying something to the effect of “I’m a human being.”

Of course, I’m being deliberately obtuse with my own question, because what people generally want to convey with that statement is that they simply do not subscribe to any form of organized religion, and prefer to find their own method of making sense of the world; that they do not find any meaning in the structures others have created, but prefer to create their own order within the chaos.

25Aug/23

Two Lies and a Truth

August 25, 2023Social CommentaryFaith in Action, Fear, Judgment, Love, Pride, Self-Examination, Sin, TransformationMichael

Instead of responding to their question, Jesus begins to write in the dirt, and finally says, “Let anyone of you here who is without sin, throw the first stone at her.” And then he keeps writing.

Slowly, one by one, from the oldest first to the younger, all begin to walk away.

Category Archives: Social Commentary