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Quiet Hour, Loud Heart

2014-08-29T14:24:40+00:00By Joel|Uncategorized|

Octavius Winslow wrote, "Who delivered up Jesus to die? Not Judas, for money; not Pilate, for fear; not the Jews, for envy; -but the Father, for love!" ... On the human level, Judas gave Him up to the priests, who gave Him up to Pilate, who gave Him up to the soldiers, who crucified Him. But on the divine level, the Father gave Him up, and He gave Himself up, to die for us. As we face the cross, then, we can say to ourselves both "I did it, my sins sent Him there" and "He did it, His love took Him there." In the quiet of Good Friday, I'm just thinking about Jesus. I'm obsessed [...]

Simply a banana hammock

2014-08-29T14:25:18+00:00By Joel|Featured, Uncategorized|

We own a banana hammock. A humble but noble banana hammock. Henry. Henry the Banana Hammock. Henry holds fruit. Usually, he holds bananas. Sometimes avocados, and sometimes he's been known to hold an apple or few. Never watermelons, because Henry wasn't made to hold watermelons. I would never expect the banana hammock to hold a watermelon. My point being... It is amazing the pressure that people can often place on themselves, relationally and spiritually. I like what Rich Mullins once said: Some of us are so afraid that God's not going to look at us. So we're out there doing all sorts of things to get God to take notice, but folks, God notices you. The [...]

Redemption in the works: thoughts on redemption part two

2014-08-18T22:34:45+00:00By Joel|Uncategorized|

Beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning...the beauty does not make the ashes non-existent and the joy doesn't negate the tears shed. Redemption doesn't mean everything is rosy, rather, it means that the prickly thorn is a part of the rose's beauty, not an ugly deformity that must be explained away or made excuses for.Here is the first listen to my new project Voices: the nomad chronicles, vol. 2. It is also part 2 to my song Regarding Elijah

Hungry for Redemption: thoughts on redemption part one

2014-08-26T03:11:16+00:00By Joel|Uncategorized|

“Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back tomorrow.” – Martin Luther I was overwhelmed in my time with the Lord this morning. From thinking of the devastating events in Japan, to the tensions found in ministry, and even the annoyance of financial situations, the prayer uttered was “Jesus I need you.” From big to small - things are just tough. Will the Church step up? Will it pray? Will it fast? Will it go and give, not only aid but also rehabilitation and development? Will we merely go and do what it takes to sleep better at night, or will we do what it takes for them to sleep better [...]