Category: Desperation

The author helps you rethink the term “desperation” as necessary for real Christian hope. He re-envisions desperation from its typically negative connotations to the powerfully positive phrase “holy desperation.” He shows how desperation is an opportunity to experience profound hope and renewal of faith. This post lays the foundation for all subsequent posts on his site DesperateforGod.net.

Beyond the Fear of Uncharted Waters

Though, in time I’d soon find far greater treasures yet to be mined.

Some things can only be known by experience. We’ll never understand the meaning of “peace” or “love” or “hope” until we personally encounter these realities ourselves. No amount of books or courses will ever suffice until such things are actually known by experience. While few people would challenge the truth of these claims, why is it that we tend to be so hesitant to speak of the need for an experiential faith? For many, it’s as terrifying as facing uncharted ocean waters.

Continue reading “Beyond the Fear of Uncharted Waters”

Love and Significance

Promotion of life in light grip . . . and love’s flower blooms.

Human beings are intrinsically social. Our rich and complex relational skills uniquely distinguish us from any other creature on the planet. Regardless of introverted or extroverted personalities, humans are wired to be most complete when in relationship with others. Genesis 2:18 speaks of the importance of humanity’s social origins when God declared, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

Continue reading “Love and Significance”

The Cost of Vision

When I see me honestly, I see Him accurately.

It is not very often today that we hear people talking about having visions of God . . . at least not without having their sanity questioned! Such talk, however, used to be a normal part of the Church’s vocabulary. The Christian tradition speaks of the “beatific vision” as seeing and experiencing the glory and light of God. While it is common for Christians to anticipate such a vision in heaven (I Cor. 13:12), many have grasped such an image this side of glory. Continue reading “The Cost of Vision”

Animated Reading: Nothing Changes but Everything is Different

This week we launch our ninth animated reading. The next five weeks of blog posts will draw from themes in this poem.  If you like the video, please share with others.

Nothing Changes but Everything is Different

Lord, You’re so amazing!

How do You do it? Continue reading “Animated Reading: Nothing Changes but Everything is Different”

Rethinking Surrender

Desperate for God. This has been the theme we’ve focused on since the very first blog and we have done so through the notion of “postures” or attitudes of holy desperation. So far we have talked about the postures of spiritual brokenness and stillness and this week we introduce the third posture—surrender. To speak of surrender is to consider the ultimate purpose of Christian faith. It’s easy to give lip service to this self-denying virtue but another to actually live it out. Continue reading “Rethinking Surrender”

Remembering Stillness, Reclaiming Silence

Awkward silence succumbs to comfortable quietness.

I love stillness. When I find it and remain there long enough it changes me. When before I had been anxious, I there find peace. When previously confused, I then find clarity. When I enter with discouragement, I leave with hope. I have reaped so many blessings from this humble little gift. Continue reading “Remembering Stillness, Reclaiming Silence”

Animated Reading: Kairos

This week we launch our eighth animated reading. The next five weeks of blog posts will draw from themes in this poem.  If you like the video, please share with others.

Kairos

Troubled traveler seeking solutions –

Thoughts racing, heart pounding, noisy life’s

Questions demanding answers, body exhausted. Continue reading “Animated Reading: Kairos”

Facing the Illusion of Control

The next several weeks of blogs will be based on our most recent animated reading, “A Ruinous Drawing.” Click here to see the full text and here to watch the video.

I used to be fine, strong and secure.

The “illusion of control” is the propensity to overestimate our ability to control life events. It presumes that given enough resources, patience, and understanding we can craft the kind of life we desire. Scripture, however says something very different about the nature of control: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Continue reading “Facing the Illusion of Control”

Filmed Reading: Standing in the Place of Stillness

This week we launch our sixth animated reading. The next five weeks of blog posts will draw from themes in this poem.  If you like the video, please share with others.

 

Standing in the Place of Stillness

I have been here before –

I remember the pasture

That beautiful expanse. Continue reading “Filmed Reading: Standing in the Place of Stillness”