We’re learning to value empathy as a culture, but just being able to understand another person isn’t enough. Understanding without connection leads to contempt. David’s encounters with Bathsheba, Uriah and Nathan show us why we need no just understanding, but kindness.
Continue readingEspecially when we discuss sensitive topics like race or gender, things get awkward fast. This is what experts call our ‘growing edge’. This is the place we have the most potential to transform because it’s where the gap between where we are and who we want to be is in the light. The story of Judah and Tamar shows us what it looks like when we brave our growing edge.
Continue readingWhy do we feel awkwardness? And when we feel it, what, exactly, are we feeling? The first awkward moment in the Bible, Genesis 3, shows us both the danger and opportunity of awkwardness. How can we refuse to hide or flee, and instead stay in the awkward promise of the cringe?
Continue readingThere’s a gap between how we see ourselves and how everyone else experiences us. Mostly that gap is invisible – until it’s not, and then things get awkward. But in awkwardness is a gift: to see beyond our self-deception to who we really are. And if we see ourselves through God’s eyes, we find the path toward healing and wholeness. Our Lenten journey begins here!
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We’ve spent two months talking about how to talk about Jesus with pretty much anyone. But none of that matters unless we actually DO it. Jesus’ transfiguration reminds us that God calls us out of our comfort zones to the places where people actually need to hear good news. So let’s go!
Continue readingSharing Jesus’ good news with people doesn’t always go well. What do we do when we meet resistance? How can we keep the conversation focused on the main thing – Jesus inviting us into a relationship?
Continue readingJargon is a really useful language shortcut for insiders, but it can be a real barrier for the uninitiated. When we share the good news of Jesus with others, how can we identify and remove our Christian jargon?
Continue readingIn sharing good news, we debate whether to lead with good works or with powerful words. But Jesus’ example shows that to be a false dichotomy. We share good news when we ARE good news, when our words match our actions.
Continue readingWhen we share the Good News of Jesus with people, it’s easy to get distracted by a lot of side issues – conversations that are important, but not as important as knowing Jesus. How can we stay focused on the main thing: a relationship with Jesus?
Continue readingHow often do we expect people to learn to speak our Christian language to understand Jesus’ good news? What if instead we imagined how Jesus’ good news might sound if we translated it into terms they already know?
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