temparbor

The Shame That Drives Us

The Shame Game By and large, churches are still trying to shame people into right living. Some of the biggest-selling books on Christian living in the past few years are shame-based books. Shame-based books are written by (usually well-intentioned) shame-based people who live shame-based lives and preach a shame-based gospel. You’d think after centuries ofContinue reading “The Shame That Drives Us”

Responsible TO or Responsible FOR?

I used to nearly puke when I was grading papers. In every class, there are always a few students who just don’t follow directions, and thus end up destroying their grade. I am a firm teacher. I write down requirements in the syllabus and expect students to do exactly what I have asked them toContinue reading “Responsible TO or Responsible FOR?”

My E-Friendship

It has been too long since my last post. I decided in March to stop writing my blog in order to concentrate on the book I am writing. Unfortunately in the months since I stopped writing the blog, I have completed only the foreword to the book, and of course have done nothing with theContinue reading “My E-Friendship”

Notes from Manresa, prt. 7

7:18 pm. I think starting on my second day here, I started learning how to live here and not just to write about living here. Isn’t that what the struggle is all about? Learning how to not just write about, teach about, or talk about prayer, but to actually pray? I have found myself todayContinue reading “Notes from Manresa, prt. 7”

Goodbye to Moralism

“God made the animals to do each what it likes, without sin. But he made man to do more than what he likes; namely, to do what he ought.” — Charles Kingsley I know a ton of people — perhaps most Christians — who would “Amen” this and think it captures something very profound. ButContinue reading “Goodbye to Moralism”

Pastor Svengali

“We’re on a mission from God.” Funny in a Blues Brothers movie. Not so funny when pastors and church leaders radiate that vibe. A friend called me from another state last night. She has recently been asked to take a staff position at her church. She has a strong, valid list of reasons why thisContinue reading “Pastor Svengali”

Nostalgia

[featured-image link=”null” link_single=”inherit” single_newwindow=”false” alt=”DHS class of 1986″]Image from Davison Index, 1986[/featured-image] There are no friends like old friends. It’s cliche, but of course true in that way cliches often are. The older I get, the more comfort I am finding in friends I have known a long time. The fact is, I’m at thatContinue reading “Nostalgia”

On The Selling Out

In a recent post I said that I have recently faced the fact that I am a hopeless believer. It was a new discovery when I wrote it, but I have now had a couple weeks to see how this might play out in my life. John Eldrege wrote in one his books, “Let theContinue reading “On The Selling Out”

In search of “Sandi’s”

Thank you for the incredibly warm and supportive comments I have received from many of you on this blog, via email, in person, etc., with regard to my last post about the loss of my friend Sandi. Her funeral is Tuesday and I’m already beginning to think a lot about it, feeling deeply sad, andContinue reading “In search of “Sandi’s””

For Sandi

[featured-image link=”null” link_single=”inherit” single_newwindow=”false”]Sandi — far right, with Beth, Tammy, and Kay[/featured-image] I moved to Davison from Lapeer in the summer, just before starting 5th grade. The transition was rough. I was in an awkward stage, to say the least. I had bucked teeth and giant freckles on my cheeks. My dad taught at GatesContinue reading “For Sandi”