THE BEAUTY OF SMALL TOWN CHRISTIANITY Everything about small town living is characterized by familiarity. A quick trip to the grocery store is certain to involve multiple conversations with friends and neighbors. Social, school, and church schedules are structured around the well-worn traditions of hunting, the town’s big 4th of July celebration, Missoula Children’s Theater, … More Jesus and Your Small Town Drama
THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT! We’ve probably all been on both sides of situations involving accidental offense. A person makes a comment with a specific idea in mind. But the comment is received in a different and more offensive manner than was intended by the speaker. A few such (possibly true) examples from online forums: … More Anthem Protests and Determining Meaning
News Sparking the Conversations One month ago in Charlottesville, Virginia, violence broke out when a white supremacist rammed his car into a crowd, resulting in one death and 19 injuries. This sparked a nationwide discussion about racism, hate crimes, and the responsibilities of those in positions of influence to address these issues. Within the church, … More Racism and Homosexuality
A Troubling New Idea (that wasn’t actually troubling or new) In 2008, I was introduced to a theological system referred to as Calvinism – a doctrinal system suggesting that God purposes to save certain chosen people. I was deeply offended by this and concerned, because my parents’ new church was advocating its teachings like election … More John Calvin Helped Me Make A Friend
Why Can’t We be Friends? Old-school, fundamentalist Christians and avant-garde, progressive atheists don’t have much in common. These two groups tend to have divergent opinions on topics ranging from marriage to marijuana to metaphysics. But I’ve noticed one area of common ground – a lack of meaningful friendships between men and women. But why are … More Men, Befriend Women (and vice versa)!
Fractures are everywhere. In the discarded shells of the eggs you had for breakfast. In the cement floor of your hardware store. In the X-rays that were taken after you fell off the monkey bars. In the earth itself near the epicenter of a quake. In your windshield after a pebble strikes. There are cracks … More Fractured Friendship
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 Rage. I hadn’t experienced much of it in my life, so I was taken off guard when a heavy dose hit my bloodstream and mixed with the already-circulating confusion and disillusion. My church … More Closer than a Brother
Remember the fellow from my previous post, the classmate who asked me on our first day of Kindergarten if I wanted to be his best friend? Today is about my first best friend, Ferrol. CLASSMATES IN THE CURRICULUM OF OOPSIE DAISY Growing up in rural North Idaho, every boy learns at an early age that … More Friendship Files: My First Best Friend
YOUR HIGHLIGHT REEL Take a moment and reminisce. Back across the contoured years of your life, recall the moments and memories that bring you the most joy. I don’t know you and may have never even met you, but I’ll bet that I can guess one of the common strands that tie many of these highlight … More Friendship Files: Friendship 101
MY RELUCTANT PROHIBITION It wasn’t a bag of weed. It wasn’t a beer bottle. It wasn’t porn. But boy, was I ashamed and embarrassed when my friend found it in my car and asked, “Why do you have this?” Rewind to a few weeks earlier. Several of the self-righteous advanced Christian kids in my youth … More In Defense of Heathen Music
