Devotion Actually

I remember this thought, "I must read my bible each and every day."

Resurrected with Christ

The sanctuary was dark, save the dim light from overhead fixtures, the fading daylight pouring in through the large windows and the candles burning slowly around the room.

Talk About It

After my appointment, she wanted to talk. Mostly she desired to tell me of all the places she traveled, the awesomeness of each destination and experience, and all the places she would travel in the future. Even though other patients waited to check-in, she streamed breathlessly from one story to the next only to smile and sigh with nostalgia at the end of her whole life's adventure. 

Pleas for Peter

It occurred to me: no one really wants to be like Peter. Aside from Judas, I'd say Peter is near the top of the list of disciples you don't grow up wanting to become. Yet, in my most honest moments, I find that I am just like him.

Wandering Through the Blessing

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry."

The Rich American Challenge

The other night my friend and co-writer of this blog, Garrett, sent me a text: What are you doing?

Me: Working my life away.
Garrett: You better stop that.
Me: Can't...need the money.
Garrett: Sell all your possessions and follow me.
Me: You first.
Garrett: Oh man you got me.

God, the Sufferer.

Even now, months after, I can still see the deer's body: back legs broken, side stripped of fur, of skin, crawling to get off the road. Alive.

The Inconvenience of Christ

Two weeks ago, I shared the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) with my students. After sorting through the inevitable afterlife questions that arose, we landed on the sin of the rich man. "He didn't do anything, that's why he was in Hades," one of the students commented. 

(You) Save By Grace

About a year ago my wife signed up to give Christmas baskets with the Cathedral Shelter that operates in Chicago. While shopping, we realized we were spending a lot of money on presents for this family. In the same moment we realized: if this family was a part of our family we wouldn't be concerned about how much we spent.

I Love You

The first homeless man I encountered received the brunt of my father’s ignorance and immaturity. “Get a job you lazy asshole and stop milking the system,” my father yelled coughing up phlegm and spitting. I giggled because my father cursed. That’s the whole truth and except for God's Spirit in my life, I might be doing the same thing. 

Resurrection

Ten o’clock on Youth Sunday. You know, that one Sunday each quarter where youth lead the service? The sanctuary was quiet. The seats were mostly empty. My first thought? Recheck my watch and compare to a clock on the wall. Yeah, it was ten o’clock. Service was starting. I thought, “they’ll trickle in, and a lot of people are on vacation.”

Theology of Love

The other day I came home like every other work night in the wee hours of the morning. I had a little time to kill because I had to wake my wife up for work shortly after getting home.

Surprised by Hope?

If you watch ESPN often, you've probably come across this commercial. If you haven't seen it, take a minute to check it out. Then, let's talk. 

Introduction

TheSwellBox.com is a blog dedicated to theological reflection. What is theological reflection?