One of the absolute greatest pleasures of working with students is watching them encounter the love of God. Students have a way of seeing God through a lens that we often can’t see. They experience God with an innocence and freedom which isn’t restricted with over-thinking and analyzing. For the past few months I have been talking and counseling a 7th grade student through some serious issues. This student had been battling some dark times but a few months ago this student began to follow Jesus and the love of God began to overwhelm them. During the dark time this student wrote a story about a girl named Elizabeth. I encouraged her to re-write the story now that they had found and experienced the love of God. Below is the new story. I believe it is a profound description of the love of God and wanted to share because of the way it impacted me. I have full permission from this student to share as long as they stay annonymous.

Elizabeth searched, and finally found, for she was not looking hard enough. She found a friend that even when she was lost and alone, walked with her in her terror. The thoughts of sleep were stopped by one man who loved her even when all she could do was hate everything she saw. She looks back and while a icy tear rolls down she is reminded of the freezing cold nights when tears froze on her face and she felt alone. She realizes someone was there holding her even when she cried. Even when she screamed and felt like the silence still would scream louder, he was listening to every cry and scream, and He was closest then. She now knows if she goes to battle, she’s not alone. For she has Him on her side, and who can lose with the creator of the enemies. She looks back and sees all her friends leaving her but one. One stays with her through it all. That one knows her fears, weaknesses, flaws, past, and yet still loves her. He loves her through it all, and thats what makes the fight worth it. For the cold night she once knew has gone. The icy snow has melted, and flowers have bloomed. For a new season has started. And he has lead her through it all, walking with her every step of the way. And she knows He will be there forever.

Elizabeth made new.

January 20, 2019

5 Quotes from MLK's - "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution"

As a student of theology and ethics, MLK Day is a sort of sacred day. I usually do two things, every MLK Day: first, I read through King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” and secondly, I set aside time for deep reflection on what it means to animate our faith in light of current social issues and repent for my own failure to embody Jesus’ vision for the Kingdom of God here-and-now.

It has been said that “many who quote him now would have hated him then”, and I think there is a lot of truth to that critique.

January 12, 2018

A Voice for Today: 5 Sermons by Martin Luther King Jr.

Among the most influential American figures stands Martin Luther King Jr. His courage and conviction continues to speak volumes for our current cultural moment. And every year when we celebrate MLK Day I make sure to spend time reading through sermons, writings, speeches, delivered by King and each year I am inspired by his ability to stand for nonviolence in the midst of violence, justice in the midst of injustice, and love in the midst of unthinkable hate. Below are 5 links to sermons written by Martin Luther King that I believe offer an enduring prophetic voice for our day.

May 23, 2017

A Story in Motion - Philippians: Part 2

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1.3-6

For Paul, joy is the outworking of the Christian experience, it is not the end goal but rather a by product of the Christian experience. In this way, joy transcends circumstances. For Paul, this expression of joy in the midst of trial proves true in two ways, the present reality of God’s work and a future hope.

March 24, 2017

Grace. And. Peace. - Philippians: Part 1

Grace. And. Peace.

These are the opening words of Paul to the Philippians. In some sense it is Paul's traditional greeting, found in nearly every letter he writes in the New Testament. But in another sense, it is a complex and inspiring opening and of all the ways to open a letter Paul chooses, grace and peace.

First, grace.

Now, Paul is creative. The typical greeting in the Hellenistic world was the greek word, chairein - which simply means “greetings.”The word Paul uses is similar in sound but more layered in meaning, charis - which translates to “grace.” Traditionally understood, grace is the unmerited favor and acceptance given from God. And while certainly not wrong, if we stop there we are left with a flat understanding. For Paul, grace has layers, depth, and nuance.

January 10, 2017

One for the Lowly

On New Year's Day I had the opportunity to preach at Central Peninsula Church's North Campus. It was a part of their series answering the question "What child is this?" exploring the Christmas story through Jesus' embodiment and fulfillment of Old Testament texts.

December 28, 2016

Top 10 Books I Read in 2016

Certainly my love for reading is no secret, and one of the aspects of my time in seminary I have enjoyed the most is being exposed to an entire world of authors and thinkers I may or may not have come in contact with before. Natural this has caused my personal library to grow. Below are the top 10 books I read in 2016. Some are from required class reading, others are books I read for my own enrichment. Each title links to the book on Amazon, and below each title are a few quotes that I snagged as I flipped through my highlights from when I originally read the book to give you a taste of the book's focus. Would love to hear your favorite reads from 2016 that I can add to my reading list for 2017!

December 20, 2016

Advent of Hope: The Wait

Advent is about, the wait. It is about recognizing that the world has grown weary and is longing for something more. It is the recognition that something has gone wrong and we wait for a new day.

Advent is about, the hope. It affirms that God is not distant, but present and active. God has not abandoned his world.

Advent is about, the call. It is a story that we are called to embody. As God entered our story, we too enter the brokenness around us bringing hope and a new tomorrow.

August 31, 2016

5 Things Worth Your Time - Part 15

Every Wednesday I post a handful of articles, blog posts, videos, columns, books or anything I find interesting and worth your time. Ranging from thought-provoking to funny to ridiculous, most are things I stumbled upon in the past week. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading along!

"Short Read" = 10 Minutes or less. "Long Read" = 10 Minutes or longer.

February 10, 2016

The Slow Work of the Heart - Latest Sermon

Hello Friends -

A few weeks back I was able to share a message I wrote that explores the process by which transformation takes place. For followers of Jesus, we often find ourselves struggling to embody the same ethic, grace, and compassion that Jesus embodied. We struggle, we work, we battle ourselves all in an effort toward Christlikeness. However, in Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." How does one find rest in the pursuit of Christlikeness? Dallas Willard says it best...