Journeys of a Wandering Wordsmith
Journey with me on my blog!
The Problem of Ravi Zacharias
Hiding begets hiding; darkness begets darkness. The problem of Ravi Zacharias is the problem of pastors and ministry leaders the world over. They struggle, too. We all do. And this idolatry of certain Christians needs to stop.God, I pray it stops.
A Time to Step Out and Speak Out
As a conflict-avoidant person, I've always had this general rule of thumb: stay away from politics when talking with other humans – online or offline. Just stay away. But something's changed in the last year. A tension not previously felt now rages in me, building over the span of Trump's presidency. I've often been left wondering: at what point do I step out and speak out . . . and at what point do I just throw up my hands and take a deep breath and let it be, and pray, and pray? It's hard to sit down for my weekly blog and ignore last week's events at the Capitol. The insanity that erupted and has been swirling in America, within Christianity since Donald Trump descended down that escalator six years ago. It's all I've been thinking about this week, and again I feel the tension. Bubbling tension that must be released.
This Monster Needs to Die
"The Social Dilemma" has some cheesy, dramatic elements to it, sure. A little overkill at times. But I do recommend everyone see the film. After watching it, I don't necessarily want to delete all my social media accounts, as I do view social media as part of my "job," so to speak. However, I do significantly want to change my approach to social media: how much I use it, when I use it, etc. Especially in relation to my "real-life" relationships without screens attached.
Break the Silent Madness
Sometimes the blogs come easily; sometimes they do not. Sometimes I feel as if I've nothing to say; other times, I have too much material to choose from. Sometimes it's all safe stuff; sometimes it's riskier. Take politics, for one. Oh the riskiness. Is that shudder from the wind or within? I'm finding it increasingly difficult these days to remain silent about politics while the insanity rages.
God Cannot Be
I'm certain that even if I hadn't been raised in a Christian home (and Christian school with Christian science textbooks) but had this same personality and outlook of the universe, I'd have sooner than later found my way to a God – if not the same one I follow now. The God who I believe is the one and only: creator of untold galaxies and creator of you and me. And yet there are many who cannot wrap their minds around such a contradictory notion – a massive and personal God.
Mortality
It's there in my consciousness, a shadow sitting in the corner, unmoving. My mortality. Just . . . there. I will die one day, and this is how it's always been ordained. This is nothing new. Why has it taken me 30+ years to realize this – really realize this? More than ever, I want to make every moment matter. I want to live every day I've been given to live. It's such a crime for anyone to stay settled and never venture out. I cannot bear the thought for myself.
Ponder Anew
It can be easy for Christians to believe, almost robotically, that God can do anything. That's what makes God God, right? So, what does it mean to "ponder anew" what God can do? How does one ponder anew the already established notion that an all-powerful God can do — does — all-powerful things?
God's Love is Still Reckless
When "Reckless Love" first came out in 2017, I, like many others in Christian worshipdom, fell out of my seat. For the last year and a half, though, as many songs just do, it faded. Back at church, the electric guitar strings belted a familiar intro. One I'd not heard in a church setting for many, many months. "Reckless Love" returned to my life. And I couldn't skip it this time.
5 Regrets After 5 Years of Struggle Central
Writing Struggle Central five years ago was absolutely the path God intended for me eons ago. My path as a human, my path as a writer. The gateway to my wildest dreams as an author. Also, a nightmare. A foreign world with implications I'd have never otherwise encountered.
A "Love, Simon" Pseudo-Review
On High School, Deep Dark Secrets, Coming Out, Asexuality, My First Kiss, Longing, Commitment, Separation, and the Eternal What-If? I tracked along with 95% of Love, Simon. The deep dark secrets. The longings for other boys. The conflict between self and persona. The thrill of realizing you're not alone.
