Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Jesus

  • The way we talk about the passion and crucifixion of Jesus leaves out half of the story. The half of the story that has the most meaning.

  • I walk into Starbucks. Set my bag on a chair and remove the lid from my refillable cup and set it on a tall table to save my spot. Then get in line. There, I fumble with my phone to bring up my membership app. I want to be ready to pay for my iced…

  • This Advent several of us gathered Sunday evenings to eat together, to talk, to explore the birth stories of Jesus, and to pray. We marked this season by focusing on the story of our savior rather than the clutter and noise of the world. It’s a fitting reminder that Jesus is born into a noisy…

  • As a Christian, I hate talking about money. I remember walking into a Roman Catholic church years ago. My girlfriend at the time was Catholic. And lucky us, the priest preached about giving to the congregation. We came back two weeks later and heard another sermon about giving money to the church. Not just a little.…

  • It’s funny that this one choice we make may be the single biggest divider of them all. Is Jesus the only way to God? Well, watch your step. Most of our questions about the nature of God, Jesus, and their relationship exist in multiple dimensions of analysis. Like in seminary, when I would sit in…

  • Generous Mercy

    I’m going to guess that nobody here was thinking about that parable from two weeks ago about the rich guy suffering in Hades, wanting a drink of water. Just a little something to wet his lips, they must’ve been so dry in that place of torment. He tries to get Abraham to send Lazarus over…