Radically Happy

  • Graphical Theology: The Grace Cycle

    As a follow-on to “Grace in the Gap“, I’ve cleaned up and reposted another Graphic Theology piece known as “The Grace Cycle.” The Grace Cycle attempts to capture the idea that there is a single dynamic — represented by three inter-woven rings — which drives the main processes of the…

  • Graphical Theology: Grace in the Gap

    I recently figured out how to open some of my old ‘Graphical Theology’ diagrams from the mid-1990’s. These were part of what I called The Grace Project — an attempt to update and build on the reformation-era teachings about ‘Guilt-Grace-Gratitude’ as the basis of the Christian life. Today’s posting, entitled…

  • Nehemiah 3 Name Game

    What does it mean to take local responsibility for a global problem? How does leadership make a difference? Why do some people still not participate? Does one person matter? Is this how revolutions happen? “Read More” to pursue answers in Nehemiah.

  • Nehemiah 2 Wine and Pleas

    Questions: How do you start a revolution — without rebelling? What is the balance between prayer and preparation? How should we display emotion to dangerous men? How do we show mercy to discouraged men? “Read More” to pursue answers in Nehemiah.

  • Nehemiah 1 Disaster Report

    Questions: What is our response when disaster strikes those we love? Where is God? Can we really trust Him? Do we too have a burden to bear? What needs to be done? Will we take responsibility? “Read More” to pursue answers in Nehemiah.

  • On Being a Man, and Marriage

    I am working on a statement for a friend regarding my position on sexuality, and wanted to include it here: Deeper than my marriage, deeper even than my sexuality, I am a Man. Whom I am as a man is central to my understanding of my self, my marriage, my…

  • Have You No Shame? (Romans 9, Hebrews 12)

    Consider how many common behaviors can be understand in terms of “shaming” and “counter-shaming”: pro wrestlers “talking smack” children (especially siblings) teasing each other yelling at drivers who cut us off in traffic non-lethal competition (and ultimate submission) among male mammals the addiction cycle and, even more seriously, rape and…

  • Song: GraceFather

    This song was inspired by the narrative idea of “creation-corruption-redemption” as illustrated in The Grace Cycle. I awoke that Sunday with a heart full of praise, but didn’t have the words to express how I felt. The word “GraceFather” (a la GodFather) came to mind, but it was intertwined with…

  • Star Love by Kenneth James Sniecinski

    “Star Love” by Kenneth James Sniecinski Written June 1st, Anno Domini 2005 Exemplar emulated in a place sojourned, or of permanence be it burned in its perspicuous veraciousness, or embraced in its affability yet those still not perspicacious, see it to be grandiloquently unreachable far be it true, never has…

  • iMix: Becoming Manly and Godly

    Which is a valid and good thing, but I’m at a place in my life where I need a deeper understanding of the masculine aspects of following God, of being an authentic and complete Man of God. These are all songs which have helped me in my journey, and I…

  • Watering Others by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

    Today’s devotional: We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others,…

  • Death, Part II: I Am Risen In Christ

    Death, Part II: I Am Risen In Christ

    > Finally, I glance at where my side was pierced, where I see that a hole still exists. I gently probe it with my fingers, and am surprised to see that the hole looks like it extends all the way to my heart! > Yet, it is positioned in such…

  • Measuring Transformation

    Can one measure transformation? Can we identify the behaviors that enable transformation? Can we tell if we are doing it correctly? I believe the answer to the first two is ‘yes’, though I’m less sure about the third. Still, I admire anyone who makes an honest attempt. To that end,…

  • Death, Part I: I Am Crucified With Christ

    Death, Part I: I Am Crucified With Christ

    Hi God. “Hi Ernie.” Is it time? To die? “Always. Every day is a good day to die.” Tell me what I must do “Place your happiness and your life here on the altar, then step away.” Shouldn’t I tie it down? “You cannot tie cords so tight you cannot…

  • The Marriage of Love and Truth

    I recently revived an old story, because of several ongoing discussions on truth and love: The Mountain of God or The Marriage of Love and TruthI just realized it could also be summarized in Apothegm form as: Healthy Truth Promotes Love Healthy Love Pursues Truth or more explicitly: Healthy Truth…

  • Song: Ephesian Covenant (I am God)

    As mentioned earlier, I’ve been looking to write a new song to express what I’m learning about God’s fatherhood. However, I couldn’t figure out where to start. Then, last week while visiting San Francisco with my brother’s family — we stayed at the Radisson Inn on Fisherman’s Wharf — I…

  • Absolute Virtue in a Complex World

    Faith is the ability to believe what is absolutely true Hope is the ability to anticipate what is absolutely good Love is the ability to value what is absolutely beautiful [Read More] for the backstory on why I’m writing this at 3:30 AM. Update: Perhaps the following would be more…

  • How Should We Pray? (Daniel 10)

    Amen.Daniel 10:1-11:1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.I realize the primary context here is revelations…

  • In Search of a New Hymn To Father

    I’m collecting raw material for a new kind of worship song, focused on the Fatherhood of God: * This is My Father’s World (music) * The Living Years (commentary) * Leader of the Band (music) (interview) * Pass the Flame [Read More] for the backstory.

  • Exodus 40 Command Performance

    Questions: Who really does the work? When must leaders do the work themselves? How does our work relate to what God does? Can our work really contain God? Click “Read More” to pursue answers.