Sacred Mundane: The Blog

Jesus said, “If someone sues you and takes your tunic, give them your cloak as well.” These are hard words, yes? But this sacrifice is clearly commended in other places as well: “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:34). Remember we’ve been talking about reward? That’s front and center here! Jesus is saying that when we willingly let go of what we could claim as ours, we secure for ourselves a better possession, an abiding one, one that can’t be destroyed by moth and rust, one that can’t be stolen by thieves (Matt. 6:10). Join me for episode 24 as we consider what it means to be joyfully plundered.Read More

“If someone sues you and takes your tunic, give them your cloak as well.”
—Jesus, Matthew 5:40

I don’t know about you, but this makes my inner justice-alarm start sounding wildly. “Wait. What?! Something’s taken unfairly and you’re saying give more?” Jesus’ command here clearly represents an injustice. The items were taken wrongly. The situation is unfair. And yet, Jesus words couldn’t be clearer. One item taken? Offer two.

The essence of this wrong isn’t hurt of humiliation, it’s cost. What’s been done to us costs us dearly, and we’re required to offer even more? How does this bring the Kingdom of God?Read More

We tend to expect that if we do the right thing, a positive outcome will occur. But what if it doesn’t? What do we do when the right thing goes wrong? When it feels like obedience to God lands us in a hornet’s nest? What then?? Thankfully, the Scriptures don’t follow the Hollywood trend of predicable plots. We get some significant surprises in the pages of Scripture. King David gives us an up-close look at how we are to handle this frustrating, and often heart-breaking, scenario, when the right thing goes wrong.Read More

Will we live out the Second Mile or not? What is the determining factor? Join me for Episode 21 as we examine the ways that a “lack” mentality sabotages our Second Mile efforts. What would Jesus say to us who feel this overwhelming sense of being spread too thin? If you feel desperate, there’s good news ahead. Read More