Sitting at the Unlikely Kingdom Banquet

As I scanned the room electric with people from such vastly different backgrounds, yet interacting in such dynamic ways, I couldn’t help but seeing this as a snapshot of the Kingdom Banquet Jesus describes in Luke 14.  All having been invited because of some personal connection with someone in our community, I talked with a …

“By The Way, She and Her Son Have Aids.”

(My Monday “Travel as Pilgrimage” post will have to wait until Wednesday this week) There is a soup kitchen a few blocks from our house that provides two warm meals for local homeless each day near downtown San Diego. They are the longest standing soup kitchen in SD and one of the only ones still …

Why God Calls Us To Be Traders

As followers of Jesus, we are called to participate and extend God’s mission in the world. In short, all Christians are called to be missionaries. Maybe not in the traditional “missionary” sense, but we are to be on mission in our workplace, homes, neighborhoods, etc. And, if we are to fully align with God’s mission, …

Travel as Pilgrimage #3: “Are You Another Mean American?”

It was New Year’s day and the streets of Barcelona, Spain were full of white lights and endless energy. Jan and I slowly strolled down Las Rambles (Barcelona’s most popular street) and took in scene. There is something about being in a different culture that puts you on your heals a little bit. Not knowing …

3 Reasons Our Consumption has a Kingdom Impact

I was recently hired to help manage our local farmer’s market in our neighborhood of Golden Hill.  Living as part of a church community who is taking seriously the task of engaging deeply in our neighborhood and city, I figured this gig had the potential to be a brilliant opportunity.  Not only has it provided …