This may sound weird, but it’s true: for the longest time, I’ve been afraid of enjoying God’s abundance. Because I feel undeserving when so many people in the world are barely getting by. Because I haven’t been as faithful as I’d like. Because, because, because. It feels especially weird to praise God for the abundance… Continue reading Fearing abundance after a season of suffering
Tag: Anglican church
4 Ways Judaism Influences Me As An Anglican
I converted to Christianity from Reform Judaism in 2008. The distance between childhood and today grows wider, but our roots are some of the strongest influences on the adults we become. The truth is that while my worldview has undergone a radical shift, Jewish culture and tradition continue to affect my faith. These are just… Continue reading 4 Ways Judaism Influences Me As An Anglican
Making Peace With Being Inherently Offensive
It's hard to share the story of why I converted without offending somebody. I know this, I've accepted this, but it still bothers me because no one likes to lose friends. There's just no way to share how I was born Jewish and became a Christian without implying that Judaism just wasn't good enough, or… Continue reading Making Peace With Being Inherently Offensive
Of rosaries and car accidents
I got my Covid vaccine yesterday, and almost didn’t live to tell about it (or post the obligatory selfie). I’d just gotten off the highway exit for the Walmart pharmacy. The traffic light was green, and I had my own lane to turn right. A semi truck was distantly behind me, and I sped up… Continue reading Of rosaries and car accidents
“Christian seders” expose our need for liturgy
Within the last few decades, “Christian seders” have become a trend. The traditional matzah is broken into three parts to represent the Trinity, and the cup of wine becomes Christ’s blood. Many Jews find this modern practice offensive, if not anti-semitic. What strikes me as odd about this practice is that evangelicals, the group most… Continue reading “Christian seders” expose our need for liturgy
Give me a church that offends
Give me a church that regularly offends my sensibilities; one that overthrows my preconceived notions of how the world works. Give me a church that loves me enough never to coddle my harmful choices but confronts me gently with necessary truth. Give me a church that fears for my soul more than my reputation. Give… Continue reading Give me a church that offends
Memo for a weary world
I used to joke that if you ever want to know what loneliness feels like, try being a Jew at Christmas. But now there’s a new version of the joke that’s a lot less funny: if you want to know what loneliness feels like, try being in the midst of a pandemic during the holiday… Continue reading Memo for a weary world
Racism and the importance of communal repentance
One Jewish concept that carried over into Christianity is that of communal repentance. In ancient times, the sins of a community were atoned for with blood sacrifices. Today, communal repentance takes place one day a year on Yom Kippur, where Jews gather in synagogue to recognize the sins that were committed during the past year.… Continue reading Racism and the importance of communal repentance
When words fail, liturgy speaks
I've lost loved ones from suicide and cancer. I've written a book about living with unresolved pain and suffering. And yet, I think I'm more of an "expert" (I use the term loosely) on what not to say to hurting people rather than what to say. It's a lot easier to be dismissive or insensitive… Continue reading When words fail, liturgy speaks
What toxic Christians tell us about Jesus
From time to time, I read blogs by atheists and skeptics as a way of keeping tabs, so to speak, on the current image of Christians. This is one way I try to better myself so I'm not "one of them" - one of the believers that gives Jesus a bad name by my example.… Continue reading What toxic Christians tell us about Jesus