Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
One of the great and necessary humiliations of midlife is the recognition that you’ve given much of yourself to the propping up of parts of you that can’t carry the torch into the next half of life. Maturity demands that we thank these parts for the roles they’ve played, and ask them to relax their grip.
But they won’t relinquish without a fight. These personas work for us…they build our portfolios and platforms and pedigrees.
So, we develop an allergic reaction. That is, we become less comfortable wearing the mask over time. We grow uneasy with the falsity it requires. We recoil at how we’ve justified small deceits. We shudder at how defensive we become. We weary of manipulating image, reputation, and relationship.
None of this happens overnight. The “you” that is “hidden with Christ in God” might just emerge more slowly than you’d like, even as you slip back into your old personas, like an outdated pair of cozy pants. Your ‘becoming’ might just take the rest of your earthly life. Even still, the air you’ll breathe is free air, and you’ll begin to risk a holy authenticity more and more.
20 years ago this Fall I was fired from a pastoral position. It was brutal and humiliating. I had few words for what happened, little advocacy, and (for better or worse) no social media to share it with.
What I learned through it all is that while there are the things that happened to you and things you can’t control around you, you can attune to what happens within. That’s how we heal. And that’s where we find God, longingly inviting us back home amidst our traumatic disconnection. God our compassionate witness.
And it took too long for me to attune to what was happening within. Landing in a Mexican hospital almost ten years later, my system septic, was a massive wake up call. My body was telling me it was time.
I’ve never written about any of this, but I just submitted a manuscript I’m calling What Happens Within as a guide for our inner work. The three questions God asks in Genesis 3 frame it:
1- Where are you?
2- Who told you?
3- Where have you taken your hunger? / What do you long for?
It’s by far the most I’ve ever personally invested and offered in my writing. And it’s also a return to a deep immersion in Scripture with fresh eyes and a hopeful heart.
It also feels incredibly vulnerable.
If you’re the praying type, keep me in mind every now and then as, with some very excellent editors @TyndaleHouse as we bring this to completion.
@chuckdegroat The courage of mission and the pain of the Cross go together. I didn't know that when I got started. Instead I equated pain withe failure and mission with success. I had to learn God was using pain and vulnerablility to draw me to His heart. I still am learning this. Prayers!
@liamsadams Thanks Liam. fwiw, the presbyery’s vote to suspend him would have been nearly automatic in response to his confession. When an accused confesses, the presbytery then issues discipline, and suspension is the lightest (though not insignificant). It leaves room for future action too
@sdesocio@scottsauls Also fwiw, the presbyery’s vote to suspend him would have been nearly automatic in response to his confession. When an accused confesses, the presbytery then issues discipline, and suspension is the lightest (though not insignificant).
@devi_writes You don’t have to pay royalties on that. ;) Plunder the Egyptians!
And even then, it may ease your conscience to know the artists who wrote and recorded that song likely had absolutely nothing to do with the corruption at the top.
Big announcement! Starting today, we’ve made all our sermons and talks available for free on Gospel in Life-@gospelinlife. See the video where I explain why we charged in the past and why this has changed through donations. Enjoy! https://t.co/7w90DT2PCK
Just yesterday, I had the great privilege of worshipping with Dr. Katherine Koonce, head of Covenant School. Today, she went to be with the savior she loved while protecting the children she loved.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
🙌🏾😭💔
UPDATE-
3 children are confirmed dead. 3 children who learned the word "Jambo" this morning from us in chapel. 3 children who were learning all the verses of Amazing Grace to sing for grandparents day next week. 3 children who didn't have to die. Lord be with us. Lord, be with us
Please join us in praying for @CovenantKnights (a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian PCA in Nashville, TN), after a school shooting this morning with casualties and injuries.
���The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
In your journey as a people manager, inevitably you will be put in a position where you are managing people significantly older and more experienced than you. It can feel daunting and awkward, so here are some things I've learned:
@johnandrewwords@KSPrior This may simply reveal that far more men in ministry are comparing themselves to one another more than THEY would admit (or realize). Nothing busts up “Am I manly compared to these other guys?” like a woman entering the competition.
Those not in competition feel no such threats.
I have a document called "Working With Mark" that I share with new folks when they join the team. I thought I would share the section called "My Management System" in hopes that it is helpful and/or sparks some good discussion. Here goes:
I have a document called "Working With Mark" that I share with new folks when they join the team. I thought I would share the section called "My Management System" in hopes that it is helpful and/or sparks some good discussion. Here goes: