Deep-End Discipleship

Count on it: They will be in utter panic because God is with the righteous generation. You evildoers may humiliate the plans of those who suffer, but the Lord is their refuge. Let Israel's salvation come out of Zion! When the Lord changes His people's circumstances for the better, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will celebrate! - Psalm 14:5-7 CEB - One of my favorite artists is Jason Emmanuel Petty, better known as Propaganda. He is most recognized for his spoken word and I admire him for his honesty, as he speaks on issues openly and genuinely, not attempting to seem perfect or put-together. In one of his spoken words, he addresses a challenge to his faith by asking fellow believers, "Have you never felt like this was all in your head?" What Propaganda meant was that sometimes, as Christians, we can doubt our faith, coming to feel that perhaps we have made it all up in our heads. This sentiment is often fueled by the fact that we hear it from the world. The...

“Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your hearts, with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow; tear your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, very patient, full of faithful love, and ready to forgive.” - Joel 2:12-13 CEB - I am not sure the statistical probability of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday falling on the same day, but here we are. From the outside it seems as two contrary ideas. One sometimes vaulted as an overly commercialized day where one is expected to express one’s love to his or her loved ones. The other is a day where liturgical church people mark the start of the journey to Easter – a celebration of Christ’s life, death & resurrection – with a time of serious reflection, sacrifice & confession. Yet despite each of the inherent differences, both have a pull to the heart of things quite literally. No one wants a thoughtless Valentine or an insincere ges...