Casting a Vote
Given that tomorrow we vote, I think this is worth stating today. My purpose, as John Piper noted in his blog, is “to point to a perspective that seems to
Dear America, I want my faith back. Sincerely, a Christian.
Dear America, I want my faith back. With all of the social unrest and protests in addition to the President tear-gassing a crowd in order to stand in front of
A Way Forward
This pandemic has been a time of reflection and focusing on the things that matter. For some of us, it has been a time to reflect on life both past
Uncertain Times
These are very uncertain times indeed. The world pandemic of COVID-19 has put into question all we deem as safe and reliable. We in the United States have taken for
A Model in Uncertain Times
If you haven’t yet heard Representative Elijah Cummings’ closing statements at the House Oversight Committee…you need to. Just after the hearing, CNN mentioned that you needed to hear his statements
Free Listening Movement
For the first video, I highlight a Free Listening movement started by Urban Confessional that now has global impact. We visit the Silverlake Trader Joe’s just after it re-opens to
Finding God in Los Angeles
In order to more effectively communicate what God is doing in Los Angeles, I am transitioning the blog to highlight videos of how God is moving in our city
Fighting for a Generation
I feel the need to respond. Now, normally I would let something like this go. But there seems to be a need for a pastoral response. First, I need to
Life
I have died over and over. I have died to my dreams, my own will, and my expectations. Circumstances highlight my own brokenness and all the ways I need to change and grow.
Reflecting
Several years ago I sensed God asking me, “Is it worth it if it costs you everything?” At the time, my obvious answer was yes. Now, I’m not so sure.
People of God
We think by being people of God that everything will be easy. But what we find is that we are on an intentional training in what it means to be
The Real Battle
So much in our culture right now begs us to fight. There are so many perceived battles that we begin fighting constructs and for constructs all the while losing sight of
Path Before You
Only you can walk the path you are on. I wish it was different. I wish someone could walk it for you or perhaps make it just a little bit
Continue in Love
It is easy to praise and seek God when things are going well, but it means more when it isn’t. These are the moments the world does not see. They
The Truth of His Love
The phrase, “the truth of His love,” came to me years ago. It is a truth that has stuck with me. As simple as the phrase may seem, the reality of
Just Got Real
Can I just be real for one second? Is that ok? Here we go… I am nowhere in life where I thought saying “yes” to Jesus would lead me. Not even close.
Worldview
Our worldview is not just how we see the world, but how we align ourselves to our view. Our worldview are all of the cultural influences that help us to
The Most Perfect Day Ever
It was the most perfect day ever. It was unexpected but gladly received. It wasn’t the day of my wedding, or the day of my child’s birth. It wasn’t even
The Whole Story
It is much easier to write when life is good. It is easier to give advice when life is working out. It is more difficult when there are no answers.
State of the Union
So apparently I lied about my one and only political post. Here is the second… In light of the election, my friends re-living the effects of racism and sexual abuse
Direction
Direction and purpose are the longings of our generation and as a people, we look for the ways to give significance to others and the world. For many seasons in our life,
The Great Divide
Just to be clear, I don’t do politics. Frankly, I don’t understand most of it. So this post is not intended to change your position or how you vote, but
Identity
Identity is at the root of everything we are. It is also incredibly mysterious. We can say identity is a combination of the things we associate with. We can say identity is
Unity
In the same month we celebrate the freedom we experience together, our country unravels in division. It would appear that much of the freedom and justice we proclaim is only on the surface.
God in LA
It is easy to mistake the old empty church buildings in the city of LA as the representation of God’ absence. But a closer look reveals that God can even
A New Day
It was a day like every other day in April. Except after this day, I was never the same. I was 18 years old. I was getting ready to graduate
Perspective
Perspective in Los Angeles is a very unique thing. Nowhere else can you find people who collectively believe that anything east of Los Angeles is simply some land between Los Angeles and New York
Reaching Christians
Evangelizing Christians with the gospel should be our highest priority. It is sad, but we need to begin to reach Christians with the gospel. This sounds like an oxymoron because it
Finding God
Searching for God in life is not a new thing. Actually, St. Ignatius in the 16th century said that we are called to find God in all things. We cannot be called to
Landscape of Beauty
Being human means we search for beauty everyday, everywhere. But what are we searching for? I have heard, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Is it really? We can find
Liturgy of Life
As we enter a new year, we once again engage in the rhythm of examining how to change what we do in order to change who we are. It is common
Reaping and Sowing
One of the most common questions I have been asked as I visit churches in Los Angeles concerns what I am learning about the church. Well, here is the long awaited
The Christmas Story
Christmas is a story about God. It is also a story about you. While the Christmas story may bring up warm feelings of good will towards humanity, for many of
Grace
In life, we desire measurable and attainable steps for moving forward. We don’t want confusing, we want easily achievable. This is why for many of us, grace is solely understood as
Story
We all love a good story. We love hearing about the person who made it despite all the odds. Every memorable story has some personal heartwarming element, a little conflict and tension,
Life in the Desert
The desert is never a place we want to be stuck. There is little to no signs of life and usually no indication it will end any time soon. It is
Spiritual Growth Resources
I am often asked about book resources for personal spiritual growth. So I thought I would compile a list. This list is not exhaustive but hopefully it will get you
Waiting…for Something
For most of us, we hate waiting. We don’t know what to do. We are uncomfortable not doing something, anything. We are deeply afraid that waiting in life is pointless.
Image of Our Church
I have been taking some time to visit churches, to really take some time to see what God is doing in our city. There are some amazing things happening. The
Made to Relate
We are made to relate to others. This is simply who we are. It is evident in where we live and how we live. We can try and hide the
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