Dying to the Self

On Dying to the Self

Monday, April 2, 2012

‘Dying to the self’; it‘s one of those nice catch phrases you always hear in church on Sunday mornings, you know, one of those phrases or words you sort of nod to but never, ACTUALLY, take seriously, like community, fellowship, or tithing. It may go something like, “I should die to myself more. Instead of 18 holes of golf on Saturday morning, I should only play 9 and then go to a coffee shop and read my Bible,” or “Hmm, I really do love secular music. I guess I should die to the self and listen to more worship music, like on my way to work in the morning.” You know, like those really... 

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photo credit: 'maridesign'

A Walk In The Garden: Thoughts on Purpose

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

“If Jesus came and died and all that, why can’t we just be in heaven now? What’s the hold up? I mean, if we’re supposed to come to Jesus and everything and then when we die we go to heaven, why the middle man? Why are we here?” I heard this question no more than a month ago. A group of us sat in a small room, some, long time believers, some new, some yet to come to faith, and this question found its way out into the room. We looked back and forth, waiting for someone to answer, and answers came. Some thought perhaps because life was a test, you know, to see if we could find God. Others... 

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photo credit: the|G|

Hope in Nothing

Thursday, February 2, 2012

I have hope in nothing. Whoa, whoa, Dan! I thought this was a Christian blog. Thoughts on God and what not; what is all this existential angst about? Well, it is, and this is as well; I should probably just start at the beginning. My worst fear in life has always been ‘not being enough’. I am not enough. I think this fear has plagued me most of my life, in school, jobs, relationships. It’s always allowed me to put forward my best mediocrity. Why put forward the effort for an A when I can safely sit in a C? Why hunt for that job with meaning and hope when the minimum wage retail job will save... 

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Mr Nose

The Precipice

Friday, January 6, 2012

There comes a time in the believer’s life when we stand at the precipice.  We have found our way up the mountain, guided and urged by our Lord, and as we step through the mist, we find ourselves standing at the edge. There is no longer any sound or feeling of comfort, just an uncertain turn which we have found ourselves in. Abandoned. I know this feeling.  I feel that, for a time, I’ve stood, legs hanging off the edge, looking down into the darkness, shrouded by heavy grey clouds, asking God, “Why did You bring me here?  Where are You?” And looking down into the abyss, there seems to... 

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Photo credit: bostankorkulugu

Solitude and Community: thoughts on a new adventure

Friday, October 7, 2011

“It has been said that no great work of literature or science has ever been produced by someone who did not love solitude. It is also a fundamental principle of faith that no tremendous growth in holiness has ever been achieved by anyone who has not taken the time frequently, and for long periods, to be alone with God.” “Come, come,” He calls you, “O soul oppressed and weary, Come to the shadows of My desert rest; Come walk with Me far from life’s noisy discords, And peace will breathe like music in your breast.”   A dear friend sent me this quote.... 

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Credit: Alysha Jordan

A Season of Fallow Ground

Thursday, September 22, 2011

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1 This verse rings the bells of cliché in Christendom. When something happens which is unfortunate, it seems to be the ‘go to’. I’ve rarely ever heard anyone say there is a season for all things when I’ve gotten a good grade or won the lottery. Well, I’ve never won the lottery, so maybe I’m jumping the gun on that one. My friend, Ramer, laughs at me when I say cliché Christian things, but he always says, as he is laughing, that as silly as those phrases seem, they are true. I... 

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Thoughts on God: A Humble Search

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On Dying to the Self

Dying to the Self

‘Dying to the self’; it‘s one of those nice catch phrases you always hear in church on Sunday mornings, you know, one of those phrases or words you sort of nod to but never, ACTUALLY, take seriously, like community, fellowship, or tithing. It may go something like, “I should die to myself more. Instead of 18 holes of golf on Saturday morning, I should only play 9 and then go to a coffee shop and read my Bible,” or “Hmm, I really do love secular music. I guess I should... Read More

104

A Walk In The Garden: Thoughts on Purpose

photo credit: 'maridesign'

“If Jesus came and died and all that, why can’t we just be in heaven now? What’s the hold up? I mean, if we’re supposed to come to Jesus and everything and then when we die we go to heaven, why the middle man? Why are we here?” I heard this question no more than a month ago. A group of us sat in a small room, some, long time believers, some new, some yet to come to faith, and this question found its way out into the room. We looked back and forth, waiting for someone... Read More

111

Hope in Nothing

photo credit: the|G|

I have hope in nothing. Whoa, whoa, Dan! I thought this was a Christian blog. Thoughts on God and what not; what is all this existential angst about? Well, it is, and this is as well; I should probably just start at the beginning. My worst fear in life has always been ‘not being enough’. I am not enough. I think this fear has plagued me most of my life, in school, jobs, relationships. It’s always allowed me to put forward my best mediocrity. Why put forward the effort for... Read More

128

The Precipice

Mr Nose

There comes a time in the believer’s life when we stand at the precipice.  We have found our way up the mountain, guided and urged by our Lord, and as we step through the mist, we find ourselves standing at the edge. There is no longer any sound or feeling of comfort, just an uncertain turn which we have found ourselves in. Abandoned. I know this feeling.  I feel that, for a time, I’ve stood, legs hanging off the edge, looking down into the darkness, shrouded by heavy grey... Read More

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What I'm Reading

The Pursuit of God

Photo from 10ofthose.com

I love the intention of this book. A.W. Tozer was a man before his time, in my opinion, and his strife was dealing with the mechanical conversion of the population. I have mentioned him a few times in my writings and often refer to his push to commune with God on an emotionally intimate level. [...]

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What I'm Listening to

The Autumn Film

153_380x380_sized

So, a few days ago my good friend Nate sent me a link to these guys and I was floored. Deep, soulful, beautiful. Tifah Phillips sings as though she is in the room listening to your story and telling her own, her penetrating, candid lyrics leave you feeling like you’re picking up a memory and [...]

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Thought Provoking Findings

The Work of Jim Lepage

Credit: Jim Lepage

    Found this work via my good friend up north, Fulton Hawk of the Salvation Army, the artistic word art of Jim Lepage. Check out his stuff!                                                         [...]

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S'Tumbler: Eyes Wide; Shoes Untied

Eyes Wide; Shoes Untied

Credit: Dark_angel111 (Flikr)

Things I stumble upon on my way through life Check out more at my Tumblr