Constancy and persistence in ministry (Reaching toward community #002)

21 April 2013rolanddevries

In my first post in this series, I explored my own identity as a preacher’s kid – and the challenge this represented in terms of […]

A migrating preacher’s kid (Reaching toward community #001)

16 April 2013rolanddevries

I’ve just finished reading a lovely book by Rod Dreher entitled The Little way of Ruthie Leming. It tells the story of his sister’s struggle with […]

I’ll stop pretending to be a Christian…

9 April 2013rolanddevries

Quid pro quo. You do something for me and I’ll do something for you. It’s an eminently reasonable formula, and I’d like to propose just […]

let him kiss me – doubt and distance

3 April 2013rolanddevries

Doubt corresponds with distance. To feel in our hearts and minds and bodies that God is removed from us, is equal to an experience of doubt. […]

Of Easter, skunks, and tomatoes…

1 April 2013rolanddevries

I almost didn’t get to Easter Morning Prayer, which I happened to be leading. I stepped out the front door of my house at 6:15 […]

Foot washing and Christian leadership

21 March 2013rolanddevries

In his John for Everyone (Part II), Tom Wright reflects on the foot washing practices of the modern church. He asks why it is so […]

Billy Bragg and Jesus

20 March 2013rolanddevries

Billy Bragg is in the midst of an album launch – the tunes of the new album Tooth and Nail were available, up until yesterday, […]

Infanticide versus abortion – what’s the difference…

19 March 2013rolanddevries

I was reading in the health section of London’s Daily Telegraph, and noticed something interesting. Among the top 5 “most viewed for today,” was an […]

Gospel and Culture – Mary and the gifts of everyday life

14 March 2013rolanddevries

At the Musée des beaux-arts the other day, visiting the exhibition on Peruvian art and culture, I was intrigued with this 18th century (Cuzco School) […]