On a recent flight I sat next to a Phillip Yancey lookalike named Marc. At first blush I thought Marc a sharp and erudite hippie-ish lawyer from Northern California, because he is. As we talked, I learned that Marc grew up in the greater Atlanta area, attended one of the many First Baptists in what used to be town distinct from Atlanta, graduated from Furman in the early 1970s, got involved in Democratic electoral politics. Eventually he became an attorney-lobbyist in California, advocating for affordable rent and low income housing. He is now retired.Read more

Every Thursday, I drive through the back roads of town, park outside of a three story enchanted-looking house, and climb the stairs to the third floor apartment.  In that space, I meet with a familiar group of friends.  After catching up on the events of the week, we settle into a discussion related to a certain Bible passage, usually lingering over the questions that draw us in the most.  Presently, my friends and I are considering the book of Proverbs and discussing its meaning for the individual living within her or his community.  Perhaps unsurprisingly, we have been unable to ignore the pervasive theme of the adulteress in the first several chapters.  But in recent weeks, our discussion on this topic has led us in a direction that we did not expect.  

Instead of analyzing the intricacies of deception or critiquing the ill judgment of the one allured, have we asked ourselves, “How can the church help stem the tide of relational brokenness that we see in the world today?”  In response to this question, one group member noted the intense feelings of loneliness that persist among singles in particular.  Read more

Soundtrack music runs the gamut between trite and smarmy all the way to powerful and moving. There are few times in recent memory when I have been as haunted by a piece of soundtrack writing as I was by Jamie Collum’s theme to Clint Eastwood’s Golden Globe nominated film Gran Torino.
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Grace is funny.  She draws fire from all sides, yet she always prevails.
 
She offends some because when she shows up, she points out the sin she intends to heal and redeem.  She offends others because she gives herself so freely—she really ought to be earned.
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Darrin Patrick, pastor of The Journey in Saint Louis, posted a simple, helpful reminder of what preachers need to do to be effective preachers.

Check out "A Preacher with His Bible"

Michael Spencer, who became a friend personally as well as a friend of Common Grounds Online, has died.

Michael's prodigious output as a blogger, both at Internet Monk and at the Boars Head Tavern that he started, relentlessly directed readers to the person of Jesus. His wide-ranging reading interests incurred the ire of some, but many readers like me found provocation of the best kind, inspiration and encouragement. Michael was captivated by radical grace, and now that Grace has captured him. Though he died, yet does he live.

“If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through, and if I can’t, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You. If I sing, let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs, but if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home.” -Rich Mullins
     I can hardly get through this song without weeping, even still, 20 years or so after hearing it for the first time. My wife and I had this song sung at our wedding and to this day it still resonates with me.Read more