Category Archives: Exploration of the Self

A Better Writer Gets A Turn

UPDATE II: Ok. Plunge on ahead. UPDATE: A number of memorable comments have appeared today, but none more entertaining than this one. Really, it would be best to stop blogging. It’s the end of the road. Decision time. Carl’s devastating “fisk” has caused an eruption of cognitive dissonance. Deep down, you know the truth, butContinue reading “A Better Writer Gets A Turn”

Five Questions on The iMonk and Catholicism (where I also discuss some of my thoughts on how various kinds of Christians should appreciate and love one another.)

UPDATE: Carl Olson fisks this post. Just in case anyone missed it, I’m not trying to talk you people out of your Catholicism or tell you I’m glad I’m not a Catholic. James White’s blog is elsewhere. Comments are closed on this post. Mr. Olson can provide you the space to discuss this one, andContinue reading “Five Questions on The iMonk and Catholicism (where I also discuss some of my thoughts on how various kinds of Christians should appreciate and love one another.)”

Who and What are Forming You?

Every time I feel like I have lost my way in the Christian life, I find myself back looking at monasticism, and the lessons I learned in two decades of reading Thomas Merton. I’m not attracted to Catholicism, but I am very much attracted to the tradition of self-conscious, disciplined spiritual formation into a discipleContinue reading “Who and What are Forming You?”

Fifty Things You Didn’t Know….and one outright lie

UPDATE: Blast you Kyle Potter! You’ve read this blog for 7 years. You’ve read my confessional essays. You’ve got the bio memorized. Your iPod has the podcast all the way back to episode 1. You’re confident you could pass any quiz on the life and times of the iMonk. You’re wrong. Welcome to fifty thingsContinue reading “Fifty Things You Didn’t Know….and one outright lie”

Honor to Whom Honor Is Due: Dr. Timothy George

Dr. Timothy George gave a presentation at Union University last week called “Is Jesus A Baptist?” (It was renamed. Ignore the title.) The entire talk is a compelling and outstanding exploration of what Baptists are facing in the post-denominational age. The first part, which is autobiographical, is deeply touching and relevant to anyone who caresContinue reading “Honor to Whom Honor Is Due: Dr. Timothy George”

Remembering The Stutterer

When I was a child and a teenager, I stuttered. For several years, quite badly. Those who know me will notice that I can still get into some stuttering patterns when I’m nervous or stressed, but for the most part, my stuttering left me around age 15 when I started preaching regularly. There are differentContinue reading “Remembering The Stutterer”

Thoughts on Thanksgiving Weekend 11:24:06

Around hundreds of thousands of Thanksgiving dinner tables, millions of Americans will take a moment and share with one another what they are thankful for in the past year. Because Thanksgiving doesn’t require any particular confession of faith, it’s close to a universal experience for Americans, and one that most of us treasure more andContinue reading “Thoughts on Thanksgiving Weekend 11:24:06”

Quitting Soccer: Thoughts From Mom and Dad

From time to time I like to do something on here for the parents in the audience. This post will require you to read a post at Clay’s blog, but it will be worth it to read Denise’s excellent response. Clay Spencer has written a post recalling one of the most painful episodes of hisContinue reading “Quitting Soccer: Thoughts From Mom and Dad”