In the last post, I rambled on about the structure of story and the meaning of conflict and suffering in life. In short summary, I tried to illustrate how Christians are often tricked into believing that God lives in the safe, familiar part of the story, rather than the adventurous, conflict-filled part of the story: … Continue reading Hearing and Obeying in Conflict
Following Jesus
Life With Meaning, Life With Conflict
Every story is filled with meaningful conflict. If there’s no conflict, there’s no story. And there’s really no getting around this. The very structure of a story requires that the protagonist(s) experience significant conflict that challenges their character and pushes them to grow. Stories begin with the protagonist in an established, familiar world, the place … Continue reading Life With Meaning, Life With Conflict
Not Alone
I’ve written a few blogs that I hope to post over the course of the next couple of months. I wrote most of them just before lockdown and have waited to share them until things calmed down a bit (laughs to self). Here’s the first, an introduction to my dear friend, Fleenor. He’ll make several … Continue reading Not Alone
Pain and the Peace of Christ
Daniel has had a difficult life. When he was a child he was removed from his parents’ house and placed in a group home, where he was molested by one or more of the employees. He aged out of the foster system and developed serious mental disorders, including chronic depression and paranoid schizophrenia. He receives … Continue reading Pain and the Peace of Christ
Five Simple Ways to Help the Poor in 2018
I read this passage in the book of James the other day and, naturally, it scared the hell out of me: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will … Continue reading Five Simple Ways to Help the Poor in 2018
The Cost of Discipleship – Pt. 2
I’ve been hanging out with two brothers named Dinky and Tiny. They're in their 50’s and are usually a little bit drunk. The last time I saw them, Tiny was on the phone with his mother, who lives in Florida. He wanted to make sure she made it safe and sound through Hurricane Irma. Dinky … Continue reading The Cost of Discipleship – Pt. 2
The Cost of Discipleship – Pt. 1
Several years ago, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a book called The Cost of Discipleship. The overarching theme of the book was that the grace of God is costly, demanding everything from the Christian disciple. He contrasts this costly grace with cheap grace, the type of grace that doesn’t transform the disciple, but allows the “Christian" to … Continue reading The Cost of Discipleship – Pt. 1
Marriage: A Ten-Year Reflection
Friday was mine and Rachel’s ten-year anniversary. I spent the day reflecting on the many adventures we’ve had over the past decade – moving into the ghetto and sharing a house with three other friends, visiting her family in Africa, camping our way across the United States, rescuing a greyhound, buying our first home, starting a … Continue reading Marriage: A Ten-Year Reflection
Why Suffering Matters – Pt. 3
In the last two posts, I’ve been pondering the meaning of suffering in the Christian life – just reflecting on some stories and personal experiences, and allowing scripture to speak into those events. In Part One, I wrote about vicarious trauma and the ways in which Christian workers should engage the inevitable suffering in this … Continue reading Why Suffering Matters – Pt. 3
Why Suffering Matters – Pt 2
My friend Julie has lived a hard life. She’s in her mid-forties, but has the mental capacity of a twelve-year-old. I’m not sure if she was born this way, or if her trauma-filled life caused it. Usually, Julie is full of positive energy. She comes to our ministry building to shoot pool, drink coffee, and … Continue reading Why Suffering Matters – Pt 2
Preston Searcy 