Month: August 2013

  • compelling conversion

    I just finished Rosaria Champagne Butterfield’s moving testimony, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. I read the first chapter before bed, and then, against my better judgment, I read the next chapter when I awoke, and then I couldn’t stop until I had finished it. What a timely story for today, honestly told with…

  • selfish servants

    This is an ODJ devotional I wrote after last week’s visit to Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in the beautiful desolation of Michigan’s Upper Peninusula, which doubles as a metaphor for Michigan’s upcoming football season. read > Acts 4:1-21 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. The tour guide at the Au Sable…

  • fresh bloopers

    I keep a running tally of the funniest bloopers from student papers, which pace many educational leaders, seem to increase with the use of technology. Every year and a half I post the best bloopers in a shameless attempt to goose my blog stats, because nothing goes viral as quickly as humor. My summer grading…

  • home again

    My family returned from a fun and meaningful week at the Upper Peninsula Bible Camp. Lots of good people who have become good friends ascend every year for family camp, which somehow always turns into a special time that is hard to put into words. The setting is beautiful, the food is spectacular, and the…

  • atonement theories

    As a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I’m following Zach’s comment to post my chart on the atonement from chapter 6 of Don’t Stop Believing. Click on this link (atonement theories) to see the chart, which I’ll discuss below. My main point is that the various atonement theories are not like a set of golf clubs,…

  • getty up

    The other week I mentioned my bad experience with Christian music, so I’m glad to publicly thank the Gettys who recently stood by their inspirational song—and soundtrack to the best response to Love Wins that I’ve ever read—“In Christ Alone.” As you may have heard, the PCUSA asked them to change the line about Jesus…