I was nine or ten years old when I learned from firsthand experience that church is not always the haven people expect it to be. Until that point, it was like a second home for me. It was woven into almost every aspect of my life because it was a small, close knit community. We … Continue reading When Church Hurts

There are quite a few blog entries I've neglected to write through recent years, but I would be remiss and foolish not to write this one.At the same time, I'm at a loss for words. Because as far as I'm aware, there's not a sequence of words or one given word that could adequately describe … Continue reading Paw Paw

Every new year, I do something totally original that I’m pretty sure no one else thinks to do: I take a few days to reflect on the previous year. Which actually turns into a few weeks because it’s not like it’s easy to summarize a year within a few days. I write down significant things … Continue reading Rambling and Reflecting

I’ve written in the past about the issue of sexual abuse and its impact upon those who have experienced it in some way or another. I won’t bother beating a dead horse regarding the devastation it causes in the lives of its victims, their loved ones, and society as a whole. Two quotes that I’ve … Continue reading Silent Suffering

"All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.""I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.""Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is  but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight  of glory, while we do not look at things which  are seen, but things which are  not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." As my eyes grow older, they slowly begin to degenerate. I've also noticed that it's a lot harder for me to do some of the things I did with little to no effort when I was really young and could climb anything and run around all day. Something … Continue reading Weary of Worldliness

14 years.I've criedI've asked whyNot one year has gone bywhen this day comes and I don't remember I remember the knockabrupt and loudIt woke me upBut a ruder awakeningwould soon come To hear the newsto feel the world I knewshatter in a momentA lump rose in my throatand I wept Little did I knowall the … Continue reading 01/19/2005

Now that Thou hast opened my eyesto see beauty and gloryI will spend my mortal life and all of eternitygazing upon Thee Alas, the highest heights and greatest sightspale in comparison to Thy majestythe brightest stars dim in Thy presencefor what more can be illumined in the light of Thine effervescent light? Vibrant colors of autumn and springpoint us evermore to Theethe patterns of spider websspeak to Thine endless creativityHow can it be that Thou, in nature divine and holy,hast chosen one of nature so pungent and odious to Thee?

A year ago, I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Austin. It was subtle and unexpected and as terrifying as it sounds, but it was necessary at the time. I won’t bother trying to recount everything that led up to me being admitted; Suffice it to say that it was a week from hell. … Continue reading Hurricanes, Hospitals, and Heavenly Hope

As I grow older, I become more aware of how blessed I am to have not just one godly parent, but two. I guess since I moved away from home 4 years ago, I've realized how much my parents did for me and how many critical lessons they taught me. And as my awareness of … Continue reading A Tribute to Godly Parenting

"So here's a question for you, is predestination something that you are trying to convince yourself is good, in order to allow God to be able to do it, or do you come to scripture with the understanding that whatever God does is good by definition because He does it?" Someone asked me this question … Continue reading Savoring God’s Sovereignty