welcome. why "weak on sanctification"?

this accusation is often made about lutheran christians. because we focus so strongly on god's justifying grace in christ, and our continual need, as "sinner-saints," to receive god's gifts of grace through word and sacrament, people say we are "weak on sanctification." i prefer to say we are strong on jesus, whose sanctifying work in our lives is the fruit of the gospel all along our lifelong journey. i would much rather focus on what he has done than on anything i might do.

the weekly discussion

each week I set forth a topic to promote discourse about some aspect of Christianity, the church, or the spiritual life. i would love to hear your perspective and thoughts on each week's subject. these discussions are usually posted on mondays, so if you missed this week's post and would like to catch up on the conversation, just scroll down and join us.

September 17, 2009

blog friend in the flesh


on our week away, gail and i had the privilege of meeting and sharing a meal with michael and denise spencer. michael, also known as "the internet monk," is one of the blogosphere's most read christian bloggers. denise also has a fine blog of her own, at denisedayspencer.

we had a nice dinner together and learned more about them, their family, and their ministry at oneida baptist institute in southeastern Kentucky, as well as discussing various issues addressed on the imonk blog and getting an update on michael's first book, which is in the final stages of revision.

above all, i wanted to thank michael for providing a safe place to discuss my thoughts and work through several theological issues with fellow pilgrims, especially after the transitions in ministry i have experienced in recent years.

i hope you will check out the imonk blog and denise's blog, listen to the internetmonk podcast (available at the blog and at itunes), and look for michael's book later this year. their writings have my highest recommendation, and i'm happy to say that they are just as delightful in person as they are in their internet presentations.


denise & michael spencer with gail & me
september, 2009

today's van gogh
congregation leaving the reformed church at nuenen, c.1885
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