February 2014 – 300 words a day

Prayer and a paper carrier story.

My friend sent me an email. “This is hard for me, to be quiet and still. I feel like my prayer life is like a paper route. I lob prayers to God, much like the paper carrier lobs papers down the street, but I keep moving, and forget to listen for the response. The paper […]

by Jon Swanson

giving up communication.

I think I want to give up communication for Lent this year. I think I want to stop trying to send messages, to cover all the channels. I think I’m tired of making sure all the bases are covered. I’m weary of needing more communication. Instead, I think I want to focus on understanding. Here’s […]

by Jon Swanson

my simplest statements about Lent for Non-Lent People.

I’ve tried to simplify how to talk about the book I wrote for Lent and how I describe myself in a couple places. With Lent starting one week from today, I wanted to share these with you and ask, if you would be willing, to share them with people who may find them helpful. And […]

by Jon Swanson

Preparing for a conversation

“Okay,” my friend said. “I gave you a week to think. I want to ask the question again. Should we celebrate Lent?” I shrugged. “I don’t think it’s a matter of should. I think it’s a matter of could. I think it’s less a matter of obligation and more an opportunity. If we have to […]

by Jon Swanson

Practical reflections.

1. Too busy for email. We want to help a friend overseas with a project that will change lives. We email his pastor, asking for his email address. His pastor writes back, “he is very busy by working discipleship he don’t have any time to check his email.” As much as I can argue that […]