But I got something done, and I am finding reason to celebrate small accomplishments. Gratitude is a trip…

I have to decide what we’re doing for Easter.

I have to catch up on 3 weeks worth of grading.

I have to start looking for work for the summer.

I have to tell people what I want for my birthday.

I have to get around to all these things sooner rather than later (especially the class I have in 3 hours and ….20 minutes).

But I’m stuck. This is the second time in a few weeks that I’ve stayed up all night with the intention of writing a paper, and haven’t done it.

When the other items come up I get anxious, flustered, cranky, and avoid them.

My professors have been cutting me slack, but I think I’ve taken just about enough to hang myself with at this point.

My wife is very patient.

Well, I should get back to staring at the internet. 3 hours and 16 minutes… 

The blogs and websites I’ve spend my time at have drastically changed over the last few years. Here are my favorites, in no particular order:

• Internet Monk, hosted by Chaplain Mike and others in the “postevangelical wilderness.” I was surprised, and blessed, to have one of my own blog posts featured here some time ago. If I could only visit one Christian website for the rest of my life, it would be this one.
• Ben Witherington, biblical scholar, author, professor. Really smart and engaging.
• Jesus Creed, by Scot McKnight. Biblical scholar, author, professor. Has written some great bible commentaries and books.
• Peter Enns. On the forefront of conversations about how we read the Bible, particularly the Hebrew scriptures. Brilliant guy, you should read his two lastest books.
• Mockingbird, a blog by Lutheran theologians. One of the best sites around for connecting theology (particularly grace, law, and the gospel) to pop-culture.
• Roger E. Olson. Outspoken Arminian theologian, committed to broadening conversations revolving around the popularization of Reformed theology. Writes very lengthy and engaging posts.
• David Fitch, Anabaptist professor and church planter. I love his take on discipleship and church planting.
• Frank Viola. Probably most known for the book Pagan Christianity. Unique and Christ-focused.
• Euangelion by Michael Bird and Joel Willitts. “A post-post-modern blog on scripture, faith, and following Jesus.”
• Rachel Held Evans. A unique take on evangelical culture, particularly relating to issues of gender, power, and how we read Scripture.
• Unsettled Christianity. Not sure how to categorize this one exactly, but I like it
• A Deeper Story. Many authors contribute here. A great place for engaging emotions and struggles.

I’m sure I’m missing some, but those will suffice for now. You will notice that I’m drawn to those who talk about theology in an informed, historical, and often academic way, as well as those who comment and critique popular evangelical culture (especially issues of authority, gender, and how theology leaks out into the real world). They’re all down to earth and are not given to churchy cliches and easy answers about issues we face. Many of the above are advocates for women’s roles in the church as well.

I still make the rounds on the blogs I was reared on, so to speak (Desiring God, Gospel Coalition, and similar writers), but lately that is more to “monitor” what is going on in the world of ministry than to actually gain from.

There is also an important subheading of sites that I frequent which I should mention. They might fall under the category of “spiritual abuse, recovery, and awareness.” Please note the difference between these sites and what are known as watchdog sites. There are many blogs that revolve around warning people of heresy and strive to tear down well known Christian churches and leaders. The following are not those. Rather, they most often contain stories of people who have been hurt of the church and wish to share their stories. I have a heart for those who have been manipulated by authority in the church, and recently I have begun to see how the theological culture which I most readily identified myself with has, at times, contributed to people’s pain. If you are interested to see what happens when things go wrong and want to be equipped to spot these issues, start here. Please use discernment, or else you’ll be in danger of painting a lot of people and places with a broad brush. The good of these sites lies in their exposing of hurtful and unbiblical theologies, practices, and systems, not in the judging of particular individuals:

• The Wartburg Watch. Lots of details, lots of heart. The comment threads here are important.
• Mars Hill Refuge 
• SGM Refuge
• Wade Burleson’s blog.
• Joyful Exiles (see “My Story” post)

What do you think? Do you have any to add?

Depending on the circumstance, God may make fun of your religion, or judge your religion (especially its ethics), or use people of your religion to punish his followers, or describe people of your religion in a positive way in a teaching about love, or send his followers to convert you from your religion, or use your religion’s forms, meanings, ethics, and practices to reveal something to you about himself. 

So reads the Bible. 

If you’re a Calvinist, you cannot say “Jesus loves you” to any individual outside of Christian boundary lines. 

If you do, you’re doing one of these:

• lying
• being inconsistent with your theology
• substituting the definition of love for the doctrine of “common grace” I.e, “The rain falls on the just and unjust alike. The fact that you’re breathing means God loves you. (See the lowest common denominator aspect here?)

I couldn’t deal with it anymore. I said bye-bye.

And if you knew my previous convictions, you know that’s not a small thing.