Inappropriate Conversations

"But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed, though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter, I am no prophet -- and here's no great matter; I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, and I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, and in short, I was afraid."

Matthew 14:1-14 (it’s shocking that the execution of a prophet as a prize for an impromptu dance at a birthday isn’t the most offensive thing about the fate of John the Baptist, whose head was “served” on a platter before party guests)

#IC 75: Reason, but No Rhyme, to Poetry (12/3/11)

93: Poetry Providing Perspective (7/1/12)

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The Waste Land and Other Poems

"Sometimes shalom is disruptive. Sometimes peace making makes people uncomfortable. Sometimes these are conversations we'd rather not have or truth we would rather not acknowledge. Speaking truth to power is rarely comfortable for anyone."

Matthew 12:1-14 (whether by healing people or picking grain, Jesus broke the law constantly in the eyes of his legalistic critics)

#IC 223: Torment as Tactic (1/29/20)

Walk The Earth 44 (6/24/17)

Jesus Feminist

Field Notes for the Wilderness

Walk The Earth #6 (12/9/13)

#IC 134: Gender Segregation (12/14/13)

"Far from saying in defeat that we should not worry about the poor, since they will always be among us, Jesus is pointing the church to her true identity—she is to live close to those who suffer."

Matthew 26:6-13 (while arguing over the cost of perfume, the disciples seemed to miss Jesus predicting his imminent funeral)

#IC 94: The Missionary 'Position' is Local (7/8/12)

#IC 143: Verticality of Time (5/13/14)

The Irresistible Revolution

Palm Sunday

"Are you debating whether to take a step in faith in Jesus or to wait until you can see how to do the thing yourself? Obey Him with glad reckless joy. When He says something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a conception of His honour which is not His honour. Are you loyal to Jesus or loyal to your notion of Him?"

Matthew 14:22-33 (Peter couldn’t walk on water by himself, only through Jesus)

#IC 146: The Idea of Christ (7/6/14)

My Utmost for His Highest

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."

Romans 13:8-10 (love is the fulfilling of the law, doing no wrong to a neighbor)

#IC 13: Companionship Marriage (5/31/10)

#IC 150: Opening the Scriptures (9/23/14)

“We do know that no person can be saved except through Christ. We do not know that only those who know Him can be saved by Him.”

John 14:1-14 (when Jesus says He is the Way, He is not identifying gatekeeping rules that even He must obey as our Lord; He is telling us that He picks the Way)

#IC 20: Reading 'Chapter and Verse' on What I Don't Believe (7/20/10)

#IC 61: Impermanence of Time (6/27/11)

Mere Christianity

"What do you think it's gonna do when I live by faith and now my work is through? It's gonna rain! … I'm so happy to say, it's gonna rain on the world today."

Genesis 6:9-7:24 (flood continued for 40 days, and waters swelled on the earth for 150 days)

#IC 3: Light and Shadow (3/19/10)

Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground

"Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Amos 5:21-24 (it’s not about festivals, assemblies, songs or offerings; it’s about justice)

#IC 157: Letting Justice Roll (1/19/15)

#IC 231: Letting  Justice Roll 2 (7/29/20)