There is an erosion going on in our culture.  Postmodern ideology has been relentlessly interrogating modern standards and ethics, slowly chipping away at the mythic divide between secular and sacred.  This process is both calculated and oblique, and for me, particularly conspicuous in Christendom. Continue Reading

by Wayne Jacobsen.

“Follow the money!” The haunting words from Deep Throat, the unidentified Watergate informant for the Washington Post, proved to be the critical voice that unraveled the corruption in the Nixon White House.

I find it an interesting echo of Ecclesiastes 10:19, “Money is the answer for everything.”

When people ask me why do all the TV preachers sound the same, I point them to Ecclesiastes. When I’m asked why organized religion works the way it does, I point them to Ecclesiastes. When they ask me how do I know what my heart really wants, I point them to Ecclesiastes. Continue Reading

I have a friend who, for various reasons beyond his control, has had a rough go in life.  I won’t get into details, but it has left him deeply insecure and unable to trust people.  He came to faith a number of years ago, and, as this is real life, his problems didn’t just disappear.  In fact, they have probably surfaced more clearly as he attempted to trust the Father enough to lay down his life. Continue Reading

There is a great drive within to trust ourselves.  It is so strong that it causes us to disguise (from even ourselves) our lack of trust in anyone or thing, outside ourselves.  I vociferously proclaim my faith in God; I beat my chest and lay in ashes to show my great devotion.  Yet, I do not trust him.  Again and again I find myself confounded at my great fear of “what if”.  Again and again I find myself tormented by circumstances beyond my control.  Worse still, I am tormented by circumstances I could control, but know I shouldn’t. Continue Reading

“Well it’s official!” she announced beaming like a 40,000 watt light bulb.  “I’m a Doula!”  You will be excused if you reacted the same way I did- “GREAT!  Good for you!… umm. hmmmm.  What’s a Doula?”  And with a great big laugh and smile she explained that a birth doula is a professionally trained childbirth assistant who sees the mother throughout pregnancy, labour, and after birth to provide emotional, physical and informational support. The role of a doula is to be your labour support and help with establishing breast feeding after the birth (if you choose) and provide you with information on any questions you may have about interventions, birthing positions, etc.  She finished her impassioned explanation saying things that worked my little mind into a frenzy of pure delight as the metaphor climaxed in my thoughts - her role is as a support person and will not subvert the choices / power / responsibility from the mom. Continue Reading

I have a son who is preparing for his drivers license.  A drivers license is a rite of passage it seems; pointing the way to greater responsibility and freedom.  My son is a very responsible young guy so I feel pretty good about this stage in his life.  As I reflect upon this milestone, my mind returns to when I was learning to drive.   One of the most important lessons I learned was from my father.  He helped me learn to drive defensively.   Once, after a near miss I exclaimed “I was right, he was wrong.”   To which my father very directly responded “Yes, you were right but you could have been ‘dead’ right!”
The words of my dad are resonating not only with respect to my sons venturing out on the open road but with respect to living healthy faith.  No this isn’t about worshiping defensively, LOL!  Perhaps though, it could in fact be the antithesis of defensive faith.  Let me explain.  In western Christianity the emphasis on right doctrine and right behavior has served, in my opinion, to misrepresent the gospel and the Kingdom of God.   So in the defense of our ideas of truth, righteousness and justice we have no problem it seems, treading underfoot the predominant theme of the Kingdom which is simply and yet profoundly love. Continue Reading