The Prodigal’s Brother
Posted by Troy | Filed under Bible Study, Books
The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in [the celebration]. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, “look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!”
His father said, “Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!” —Luke 15:28-32 —The Message
Tags: Faith, Parable, Tim Keller
Theology from Green Day: Surrender
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
Surrender.
A theme predominant in the New Testament.
One of which I’ve been acutely aware for a long time—and equally aware of my own inability to do so.
Funny in a way that even the act of surrendering is something I attempt to do in my own strength.
Tags: Faith, green day, Music, surrender
Jesus vs. the Democrats
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Faith, politics
I see it pretty regularly, but on mornings like today it becomes especially hard to bear.
When Scott Brown took over Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat last night, half the nation cheered (and half the nation grimaced).
I have no problem with that.
Prediction for 2010: More Crap
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Every time New Year’s Eve rolls around I think, “Phew… I’m happy that year is over…”
“Now on to the next… it’s gonna be great!”
Only to find a few weeks later the new year is just as tough as the last.
So what can you expect for 2010?
Tags: hope, original illustration, trials
Eternal Perspective
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Film
Luminous beings are we…
not this crude matter.
Tags: philosophy, spiritual
Thanks a lot, God
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
I’ve been praying lately.
I mean… I normally pray regularly but not really instinctively and not with real faith.
But lately I’ve been praying for real.
and not just that, but other areas of my spirituality have come more into focus and taken the forefront of my life.
Tends to happen when I face great trials.
Smaller trials I try to fix on my own… unemployment, relationships, fears… I believe I can fix those things
(I can’t)
but then when it becomes a matter of life or death… then I realize that I have no control.
and my focus turns back to God.
I’ve got to believe that God cares so deeply about me that he’ll do anything to keep me close.
Break my leg if You must
But keep me close to You
Here’s the sad thing…
I Love Rob Bell
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
I love Rob Bell.
Velvet Elvis is definitely one of the most important books I’ve ever read.
I could have read Blue Like Jazz first, but I didn’t.
You see, I’d emerged from a culture that valued piety over honesty (of course no one was honest enough to ever say so)…
and to read a book that was so honest written by a pastor? well…
It really changed me and the way I view myself, God, the church, and the world.
Honestly though, I was writing in fragments before he made it popular.
Way before.
Anyway…
I enjoyed an interview with Rob over at Burnside Writers.
a few of my favorite excerpts:
On concise writing:
The first century rabbis were not praised for going on and on and on and on. Great rhetoric has never been about how many words one can fill the air with, it’s always been about how clean and uncluttered and lean an idea can be articulated.
On unity and cooperation:
The center of Jesus’ teaching is “Love your enemies.” Making enemies isn’t interesting. Fear isn’t interesting.
Fear is great for fund-raising. It’s great to raise money on talk radio that way. Create an enemy and you’re set. But we’d prefer to have a meal with the enemies. That’s more interesting.
Feed the Kids Cigarettes for Breakfast
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Faith, Good, Thoughts
I have a great church and I like my pastor a lot. He is compassionate and loves to study and meets the needs of his congregation well. His words of wisdom on a Sunday 4 years ago altered my view of God for the better and are tattooed on my soul…
A few weeks ago though, I almost walked out of the service.
Tags: climate change, environment, illustration, original illustration
King of Cynics: Part 1
Posted by Troy | Filed under Bible Study, Faith
Some frustrations of a world-weary and disillusioned emperor:
In the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does?
I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift.
I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That’s how it always is with God.
Tags: original illustration
Accidentally True Story
Posted by Troy | Filed under Art/Design, Faith, Film
Walked out to the forest, plugged in my headphones to some Neko Case and started writing a story about a girl named Nadya and her family.
I used some historical facts and stories as a basis, but for the most part I was just making stuff up…
Tags: video
