Bryan

Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The Gospel

Feb 13, 2012

On Saturday, celebrated singer Whitney Houston was found dead in her Beverly Hilton hotel room—her body submerged in bathwater, bottles of prescription pills close by. The story is still developing, and like many celebrity death tales, will probably remain steeped in scandal and speculation. In the meantime, there are some theological takeaways. Death has a way of bringing out the good, the bad, and the gospel. Whitney’s talents point to God as gift-giver. Whitney took...

Salvation in Space and Time

Feb 6, 2012

Ask a Calvinist when he was saved and he might take you back—waaaay back—to “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Nice one! Five points for being profound. But we Calvinists need not always rewind so far. Truth is, there was a time when we were not Christians. When we were dead in our sins, under Satan’s sway and God’s wrath, unwilling and unable to love the Lord (Ephesians 2:1-3). It’s OK to acknowledge...

I’m Happy for You (Really!)

Jan 30, 2012

One night a few years ago, I was reading through Romans and stumbled upon an extraordinary command from Paul’s pen: Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). I’d read it before, even quoted it, but something stood out this time. Struck by its simplicity and its strangeness, I considered this verse a challenge—a serious, sin-killing challenge. Something I wanted to master. How does one live out such a command? What does it look like? How...

Letter to Myself at 15

Jan 23, 2012

Dear Bryan, You’re probably at the piano, writing songs about things you know nothing about, like love and loss. Or doing vocal warm-ups so you can audition for that blasted show choir. (Don’t bother. You won’t make it until your senior year, and when you do, you’ll become a bigger nerd than you already are.) I do hope you’ll find time for this letter. I’m writing from the future, of course, to warn you about...

What to Do With Dreams

Jan 16, 2012

There was a time when dreams carried weight. God spoke to people in their sleep, sometimes sending angels into a prophet’s unconscious with words of warning or future wonders. Now God speaks to us in a better Way (Hebrew 1:1-2). Because we have God’s word and the revelation of his Son, the living Word, we need not look to dreams to discover God’s will. Which leaves us to wonder, what place do dreams have in...

A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a Missionary

Jan 9, 2012

This week marks two years since a massive 7.0 earthquake surged through Haiti, leaving millions homeless and tens of thousands dead. Survivors could hardly breathe a sigh of relief as they faced disease, debris and aftershocks. The streets were soon lined with bodies. Refugees scrambled for clean water—a rarity even before the quake. Newly leveled ground gave way to tent cities, replete with shacks made of mere sheets and scraps from the aftermath. Many of...

Be Who You’re Becoming

Jan 2, 2012

It’s a new year, which means millions of people like you and me are taking time out for some self-reflection. A long look in the mirror—both literal and metaphorical—to find and fix our flaws. When I look in the mirror, past the fingerprints and flecks of toothpaste, what strikes me are the physical signs of sin—the aging image of God that stares back at me. Gray hairs (where hairs may still be found), crow’s feet,...

About Bryan

Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The Gospel

Salvation in Space and Time

I’m Happy for You (Really!)

Letter to Myself at 15

What to Do With Dreams

A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a Missionary

Be Who You’re Becoming

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About Bryan

Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The Gospel

Salvation in Space and Time

I’m Happy for You (Really!)

Letter to Myself at 15

What to Do With Dreams

A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a Missionary

Be Who You’re Becoming

Subscribe: The Two Cities Podcast

Facebook

Recent Comments

Search

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