Posted inConfession Church De-Churched Faith Self-Image Sin Spirituality Writing

Confession – De-Churched Part 2

We don't talk enough about this, because it means admitting that we don't have it all together. It would mean admitting that we are still growing, and that we don't have all the answers. Sadly, this isn't tolerated in the church today. We have to have all the answers, and present this shiny, happy, fake image of ourselves to the world. We might think we are doing good, but we really aren't. If anything we're hurting ourselves, and the message.
Posted inFaith Confession Spirituality Writing

Embracing the Unknown

For the past several posts I've been sharing how God is at work in my life, in ways that are both surprising and humbling to me. I've spent years being totally consumed by my own will for my life. Becoming famous, wealthy, things like that. It's hard not to be consumed by the American Dream. As I've recently come to realize is that as appealing as all of this is, it isn't what I have been called for. If I truly claim to follow Jesus, then I should imitate His life.
Posted inConfession Faith Sin Spirituality

Further Confessions of a (Former) Pharisee

Being a pharisee is one of the absolute worst sins imaginable. Don't believe me? Then believe Jesus. Because as I read the gospels, Jesus had nothing nice to say about the pharisees. He preached love and mercy to tax collectors, samaritans and prostitutes, but He had nothing good to say to the pharisees. He frequently condemned them and their actions. The sharpest words coming from His lips were reserved for pharisees, the religious hypocrites. And that's what I was.
Posted inFaith Confession Sin Spirituality

Confessions of a Former Pharisee

I was empty. I was cynical towards others because in truth I was envious. Other believers, including some of my own family had seen the power of God at work in their lives, whereas I experienced nothing. I just grew angrier and more resentful. And of course, my spiritual life shriveled up to nothing.