July 2009 – Page 4 – 300 words a day

unexpected grace

I understand why we have the pictures we do of God. Angry, authoritarian, destructive. There are stories of people dying throughout the Bible that seem to point us that way. While I could debate those right now, I’d like to offer a couple of other stories to think about. Moses is the leader of the […]

by Jon Swanson

Jesus does not need you.

Many of us are pretty convinced that Jesus needs us. If it it weren’t for us, after all, how would he be able to hug people who are hurting? If it weren’t for us, how would he able to comfort the sick and the sorrowing? If it weren’t for us, how would anyone hear the […]

by Jon Swanson

doing something that matters

Purpose is what we are about. Purpose is supposed to be core, supposed to be the thing at the very heart of what we are. Purpose is what we are living for. Purpose is what we would die for. Jesus starts talking about the rest of his life. He talks about how he will suffer […]

by Jon Swanson

just when you think you figured it out

In verse 17, Peter gets praised. In verse 22, Peter gets scolded. In verse 17, Peter is on the mountaintop. Forget it. He IS the mountaintop. In verse 22, he’s in the depths. Forget it. He IS the depths. Matthew 16:13-23 should comfort and encourage you, dear completely human friend of mine. In verse 18, […]

by Jon Swanson

made differently well

I’ve had cause to talk about Psalm 139 twice in the last two days. It’s a psalm that talks about being made well, being known by God. It’s a good psalm for people to remember when they are struggling to keep up. To keep up with what? With the expectations people have about what a […]