authoritative being who tells you what you should and should not do. There is no urgency to wrestle over the nuanced and difficult ethical issues that every culture faces in this case. Just do “what the Bible says.” But is it really that easy?
Hell is Unjust
If you were neck-deep in Christian subculture in the 70s and 80s, you would have probably been aware of a series of short cartoon tracts that were passed around by evangelicals in their efforts to sway unbelievers to repent of their sins and be saved from eternal damnation. One in particular comes to mind when... Continue Reading →
pain and presents
This is a guest post from my wife, Krista. I think it’s one of the best things she’s ever written.

Live a day of it and see.
Nobody claims that it will be entirely painless, but no matter.
Today is your birthday and there are many presents to open.
The world is to open.
~ Frederick Buechner
i made this fiber art piece while i was in labor with my second child. only i didn’t know i was in labor as i stitched and sewed, printed and glued. but my baby was moving inside and life was about to get very messy and very beautiful in a little tennessee home that sunday afternoon.
fast-forward two years: i never could have known the pain and presents i’d receive since my baby was born. physical sickness, great disappointments, dear friends moved away, relational discord with people important to me, spirit weakness, a daunting obstacle to emotional healing…and yet…sunsets, sunrises, smiles, kisses, beauty, blossoming friendships, healing, laughter, an unquenchable marital love, and brokenness.
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Walk
If you've ever experienced the thrill ride known as "Selling A House While You Still Live In It With Two Small Children," then you know what kind of day we had on Sunday. We had three showings, spread throughout the day. This is our first time selling a house and it was our first weekend... Continue Reading →
Christmas Prayer
My wonderful wife gave me a 1920s vintage typewriter for Christmas, so I've used it on this post. I created it entirely on the typewriter, so there was no margin for going back and rebuilding an entire sentence or paragraph. It came out somewhat stream-of-consciousness, but here is my Christmas prayer:
Seth Godin Live – Part 2
Here are more highlights from Seth Godin's event in Atlanta last Friday. My comments are in italics. The Lizard There is a part of your brain genetically wired to protect you. It's the part that causes you to get nervous when you see a shark fin in the water. Lizards have the same thing because... Continue Reading →
Advent Books
Bobby Webb asked me if I had any recommendations for Advent books, so I thought I'd post a few that we have (re)discovered lately. Please add to the comments any recommendations you have for worthwhile readings during Advent. The Holy Bible I should start here. I'm finding it much too easy to read other things... Continue Reading →
30 Sprightly Years
spright-ly |ˈsprītlē| (also sprite-ly) adjective ( -lier , -liest ) 1. (esp. of an old person) lively; full of energy : she was quite sprightly for her age. Happy 30th Birthday, my love! I love you and your sprightly ways. Passion, wonder, amazement, and kindness are just the beginning of the beauty that is within... Continue Reading →
Making Sense of the Economic Mess
Dave Ramsey’s latest newsletter provided some helpful answers on the current financial crisis that Congress is wrestling with… Dave's Thoughts About the Economy Over the past month, we’ve witnessed the largest bankruptcy in history, the stock market dropping like a rock, and the talking heads on TV freaking out that the world is coming to... Continue Reading →
Fall Creek Falls Pictures
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