A Mending Shift

a bird sings, not because if has an answer to give, but because it has a song to sing … this is my song

I hugged a man in his underwear.

| March 2, 2012

Share As I was researching ideas for a possible thesis topic, I stumbled across this post by Nathan with the Marin Foundation (be sure to check out what they are doing…VERY cool stuff). It moved me very much and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy (and the next time you see a man [...]

Does God really care where “it” goes?

| March 1, 2012

Share Warning, this post asks a few tough unspoken questions in straight-forward, honest ways. (And it mentions the word penis). A lot has been said surrounding God and the gay community (LGBT). But if we were honest, for most, doesn’t it boil down to one question: “Does God really care where the penis goes?” (Told [...]

Don’t worry, fire-wanting disciples, the fire is coming, just not now.

| June 27, 2011

Share [Luke 9:51-56] Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did [...]

I am Gay, get it straight

| May 28, 2011

Share As I entered into my preteen years, a deep attraction for the opposite sex came crashing in like an unwelcome stranger. I was scared. These were new feelings and I knew that they would not be accepted by my family or friends. How could I be attracted to girls? I kept my attraction hidden [...]

The NEW Roman’s Road

| May 25, 2011

Share I was raised on the Romans Road. The Romans Road is an evangelism tool made up of 5-7 verses pulled out of Romans to show people the way of salvation. That if they follow and believe this simple Road of 5 verses, God will save them (read the original Roman’s Road). So, following the [...]

God Does Things We Would Never Do: Francis Chan and Hell

| May 24, 2011

ShareI love Francis Chan. Seriously, I do. I grew up listening to Francis at Hume Lake Summer Camps and so he has a special spot in my heart. He is eloquent in speech, very persuasive and has a very sincere and genuine heart. He is quite passionate about what he believes, but conveys it in [...]

God, Show Me Your Love

| May 16, 2011

Share Last Tuesday afternoon I was driving home from work. While slowing for traffic, I offered up this simply prayer, “God, show me your love in a tangible way. Please, I need to know it.” Now what I was really praying was for God to convey his love through a mystical experience where I got [...]

Video reading of my letter to Gays and Lesbians (GLBT): I Stand With You

| May 15, 2011

ShareHere is a personal video of me reading my letter to homosexuals: I Stand With You. If you know someone who you feel needs to hear this, please feel free to pass it on. To be honest, I wrestled with the decision to record this video, but decided to so there is a person behind [...]

Letter to Gays and Lesbians (LGBT): I Stand With You

| May 11, 2011

Share [Leerlo en Español] [Watch the video reading] I don’t know what it is like to be black and carry the weight of years of oppression and racism on my shoulders. To pull myself up out of that oppression. To feel different and lacking simply because of the color of my skin. I am white. [...]

Should We Serve Terrorists at the Lord’s Table?

| May 5, 2011

Share This is very moving and powerful 3 min story about the effect praying for ones enemy will have on a community. It really touched a personal chord with me, especially surrounding the communion aspect. Years ago I made a public declaration that I would not take Communion/Eucharist/Lord’s Supper if people in the gathering were [...]

HELL: 9/11 Victims & Osama Bin Laden

| May 3, 2011

Share Yesterday, I read a headline with Osama Bin Laden’s face on it and large, thick white letters exclaiming, “Rot in Hell!” Yesterday, while hoping onto Fox News Channel and catching an interview with Rudy Giuliani and Sean Hannity, Rudy mentioned that Osama is burning in hell and was met with nods and a slight [...]

15 Signs You’re Dealing with One of God’s “Chosen”

| April 21, 2011

Share It seems that since the release of Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins, other things have been released as well, namely an outbreak of very outspoken people who believe they are God’s chosen. As such, they have a mission to squash any person or argument that differs from their understanding of Jesus, God, man, sin, [...]

To Hell with My Kids?

| April 20, 2011

Share So my two oldest children are in a quandary. Our daughter is five and she went to a church where they told her (in her words) that bad people go “down there” to hell (pointing down to the center of the earth) and that good people go “up there” to heaven (pointing to the [...]

The Hopeful Ending: The Runaways and Their Loving Mom

| April 18, 2011

Share First, Read the Tragic Version of this Story Here. What is the Kingdom of God like, you ask? A woman lived in rural central California. She was known for her kindness, generosity and love, but she was also fair and just. Her five children were normal kids, but the four youngest were known around [...]

A Mending Shift, The Purpose of it All

| April 17, 2011

Share I have had a few people ask what A Mending Shift means and its origins. Good question…… To shift simply means to move, to change. Sometimes, a shifting takes place for its own end; in other words, to change simply for change’s sake. Other times, a shifting takes place for another end; to change [...]

Why Do We Lose Jesus if We Lose Hell?

| April 15, 2011

Share Why are Jesus and our traditional notion of Hell so intertwined? Why is it that if we lose Hell, Jesus becomes terribly pointless and ceases to matter? I mean after all, without Hell, what is the point of Jesus coming? What is the point of his life and teachings? What is the point of [...]

I’ll Take Door Number Three

| April 14, 2011

ShareI just read this comment on an Emergent Village blog post. Mike could not have said it any better. There seems to be three God’s preached in Christianity: “The god who wants the save the world but can’t. The god who can save the world but won’t. And the God who sent his son to [...]

Repost: If The Good News is Truly Universal, Then Why Evangelize?

| April 8, 2011

Share I think Chad does a really good job of explaining why: The Universal Good News God’s Judgment and Our Judgment All Why Evangelize? And a tid-bit from his kids: Christmas for Jesus I would add that when people finally believe the truth that they are loved and forgiven, this belief changes their world because [...]

Atheist TV meets Christian Inclusion

| April 7, 2011

ShareCheck out my friend, Chad Holtz, as a guest on The Atheist Perspective. (Feed viewers, see video below) The Atheist Perspective – 4/5/2011 from Jamie Jamison on Vimeo. Chad’s closing words: My closing remarks on the show were in response to the question, “What is heaven?”   I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…. [...]

As a Former Pastor, I Ask You to Forgive Me…

| April 6, 2011

ShareThis is in the same spirit as my Wounded Image of God post , which prompted this post by Jeff . I have something that I said 15 years ago as a pastor that haunts me to this day. This haunting memory came flooding to the surface, complete with tears, by this comment I read [...]