Inappropriate Conversations

"But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed, though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter, I am no prophet -- and here's no great matter; I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, and I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, and in short, I was afraid."
T.S. Eliot

Matthew 14:1-14 (it’s shocking that the execution of a prophet as a prize for an impromptu dance at a birthday isn’t the most offensive thing about the fate of John the Baptist, whose head was “served” on a platter before party guests)

#IC 75: Reason, but No Rhyme, to Poetry (12/3/11)

93: Poetry Providing Perspective (7/1/12)

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The Waste Land and Other Poems

"Sometimes shalom is disruptive. Sometimes peace making makes people uncomfortable. Sometimes these are conversations we'd rather not have or truth we would rather not acknowledge. Speaking truth to power is rarely comfortable for anyone."
Sarah Bessey

Matthew 12:1-14 (whether by healing people or picking grain, Jesus broke the law constantly in the eyes of his legalistic critics)

#IC 223: Torment as Tactic (1/29/20)

Walk The Earth 44 (6/24/17)

Jesus Feminist

Field Notes for the Wilderness

Walk The Earth #6 (12/9/13)

#IC 134: Gender Segregation (12/14/13)

"Far from saying in defeat that we should not worry about the poor, since they will always be among us, Jesus is pointing the church to her true identity—she is to live close to those who suffer."
Shane Claiborne

Matthew 26:6-13 (while arguing over the cost of perfume, the disciples seemed to miss Jesus predicting his imminent funeral)

#IC 94: The Missionary 'Position' is Local (7/8/12)

#IC 143: Verticality of Time (5/13/14)

The Irresistible Revolution

Palm Sunday

"Are you debating whether to take a step in faith in Jesus or to wait until you can see how to do the thing yourself? Obey Him with glad reckless joy. When He says something and you begin to debate, it is because you have a conception of His honour which is not His honour. Are you loyal to Jesus or loyal to your notion of Him?"
Oswald Chambers

Matthew 14:22-33 (Peter couldn’t walk on water by himself, only through Jesus)

#IC 146: The Idea of Christ (7/6/14)

My Utmost for His Highest

"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."
Paul of Tarsus

Romans 13:8-10 (love is the fulfilling of the law, doing no wrong to a neighbor)

#IC 13: Companionship Marriage (5/31/10)

#IC 150: Opening the Scriptures (9/23/14)