Drew Downs
-
Yet
•
2 min read
Yet (Day 2 of A Simple Lent) “yet I will rejoice in the LORD” One of the challenges of life is that we need to take it seriously and at the same time not be overwhelmed with depression. Much of my youth was spent reading Kurt Vonnegut novels. I would read them so quickly that…
-
Not-So Secret Faith
•
6 min read
How can we talk about always telling the truth and being honest, if we are also keeping secrets and refusing to share with one another? The love (without hypocrisy) Jesus longs for Ash Wednesday | Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 Secret Faith One of the historic battles around Ash Wednesday is based on this gospel passage. A church fight,…
-
Ashes
•
2 min read
Ashes (Day 1 of A Simple Lent) Today isn’t a normal day. I wake up early, before the sun rises. I get dressed with extra layers and I prepare to share a public invitation. An invite to the anti-party. No loud music or dancing. The food is meeger. It isn’t an invite ordinarily welcomed. I…
-
Ash Wednesday 2016
•
1 min read
If you are in Terre Haute on Wednesday, I invite to join St. Stephen’s in inviting the community into the observance of a holy Lent. In the morning, we’ll impose ashes upon the foreheads of those rushing to class and work. We’ll move inside and give the same invitation to students at the volunteer fair…
-
Making Room: A Simple Approach to Lent
•
2 min read
To live a life less productive and more full of opportunity, is to live ready to change. I’m terrible at minimalism. Simplicity. Productivity. I’m always trying lifehacks and tips to get to Inbox Zero. I’m terrified of my to-do list and used countless schemes to organize my stuff. We put so much on ourselves, but does…
-
Christianity Is More Than Kindness
•
8 min read
We aren’t supposed to be kind. We’re not. Jesus didn’t die for us to be kind. He also didn’t die for us to be dicks, either. Or to fight over land. Or call people names. But being kind, being nice, that isn’t it. Being a good person, a kind and generous person is a truly important thing.…