Radically Happy

  • Addiction, Alcohol and The Law

    Drinking alcohol may not be a sin, but it certainly is a coping mechanism I need to be careful about. There is always a risk of turning to that instead of Christ. Unfortunately, the same can be said of the Law: the religious, psychological, and social structures I rely on…

  • Socrates Evangelion (Beyond “Apology”)

    A powerfully-built young man stands on the walls of Athens. His face is torn between Hope and Sorrow. He has clearly been there a while, staring into the west as the sun sets. Finally he sighs and turns to return home. Just before he descends he glances back for one…

  • Dream: Leadership Train. Ing.

    I am on a people-mover Like a train of roller-coaster cars But we are stopped on level ground At least for a moment Each car represents a different level of leadership I am in the third or fourth Perhaps moving from third to fourth

  • Dream: Excess Baggage (On Christian Unity)

    I had three or four unrelated but equally intense conversations yesterday with people I am close to.
The unifying thread seems to be that everyone desperately wants unity
– but usually on their terms.

  • Dream: Restoration

    I want them to accept me
Because being a Christian
Is supposed to be
About loving sinners into Jesus

  • Socrates Repents (An Alternative “Apology”)

    [I realize this looks like (and probably is) a harsh critique of the most revered figure in philosophy (Hat Tip to Taleb for stating it first). But I didn’t write it about him. I wrote it about me.]

  • Owned Stewards

    To be a steward Isn’t just not Being an owner It is also Having an owner

  • DRAFT: Fruit Of the Cross

    As Christians, we all want to live and love more like Jesus. But books, sermons, Bible study, quiet times, and even counseling only get us so far. To fully address our strongholds, woundedness and blind spots requires encountering Jesus in a supportive community that models how to deny ourselves, take…

  • Pam’s Story: Chronic Pain, Anxiety, and the New Creation (reblogged from “A Word of Substance”)

    My question became: “Is this my life until I die? “That was very sobering. I really struggled to hear God’s good voice over the voices of fear and anxiety and depression because it seemed so utterly helpless and that God was not acting in any way whatsoever. “ “ Pam’s…

  • Effective Word

    There is no effect without affect

  • Prayer Bears

    The primary job of prayer Is that love we bear We may think we care Yet we rarely dare To give more than our share

  • Redeeming Ares, Part 2: In Dio Veritas

    Redeeming Ares, Part 2: In Dio Veritas

    E. Oh, the usual. Epic quest to save my civilization, soul, & family. I imagine you get a lot of that around here. D. Aye, but these days not so much as you’d think. Nowadays most such folks head East. They figure the Western well has all but run dry.…

  • “The body of Christ arose as ONE mighty army”

    In that moment I saw the body of Christ arise and it arose as ONE mighty army. Amen, and the word of the Lord came to me: “This world will be given one more opportunity to see that Christ alone is Lord, through mighty signs and wonders, and bow their…

  • Whole-y Pray-ers

    [aka Hegelian Prayer: Asking for God’s synthesis, not just our thesis] God wants whole-y pray-ers

  • Redeeming Ares, Part 1: Apollo’s Creed

    Redeeming Ares, Part 1: Apollo’s Creed

    O mighty Apollo, I confess how little I know of true manhood, and often settle for shallow counterfeits. What must I do to receive the fullness of your gift?

  • Redeeming Ares, Part 0

    Redeeming Ares, Part 0

    Continued from Redeeming Aphrodite Ernie: You again? I thought Hades replaced you! Ares: Dream on. Even Haphaestus wants me back. Needs me, even. E. But you’re the personification of rape, sadism, and uncontrolled violence! A. So?

  • Hale’s Accusation (Alternate Ending of The Crucible)

    Our Christian high school just put on a “fearless” production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, which continued to haunt me after leaving the theater. I identified deeply with many of the characters, whose seemingly minor flaws led to tragic results. I am writing this in hopes it will help me…

  • Dream: Impostor

    Our family is staying at a tropical casino.The kids are getting bored, so we start wandering towards the outside. The casino is having their grand evening religious ritual.The main hallway and staircase are lined with formally-dressed staff holding candles.I am never sure if they are genuinely devout, or just putting…

  • Dream: Guidebook

    It is our group’s last day in this beach townWe have all packed our bagsAnd checked out We are storing our thingsIn some sort of common roomWhile we each wait to depart I realize I have no more obligationsThis is the perfect timeTo doSome serious drinking!

  • Dream: Unmasked

    We are standing in a long line Outside, waiting to exchange money Everyone else seems poor laborers Ethnic minorities Reminds me of the lines When we were applying For my wife’s green card