"The nuns taught us there are two ways through life: the way of Nature, and the way of Grace. You have to choose which one you'll follow." -- Mrs. O'Brien, "The Tree of Life" "If you're having trouble forgiving others, forgive yourself. If you're having trouble forgiving yourself, forgive others." -- Rob Bell How do … Continue reading Blueberry Bagels.
Author: Jake Johnson
My name is Jake Johnson. You can find me most days at a Starbucks in Newnan, Georgia, although I'd prefer to be drinking a beer off the coast of Jamaica. I desire to live with purpose and passion in a world that is rapidly losing both, and I pray that what I write may impact others to live purposefully and passionately. When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, running, and all things C.S. Lewis. I'm an avid thinker of Christian philosophy and psychology, and am studying social and behavioral health with the intent of becoming a counselor.
Waves. (a poem)
I dreamt that we went surfing along the Oregon coast. Our lives, baptized by those cold, Pacific waves. On the shore, we ate plums dusted in sand. Cannon Beach, maybe. You laughed, and I smiled. And I don't remember the color of your eyes but I remember how I felt when you looked at me: … Continue reading Waves. (a poem)
On Rivers and Memories
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." -- Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It "So I go back to a pew, preacher, and a choirsinging 'bout God, brimstone and fireand the smell of Sunday chicken after church" -- Kenny Chesney, "I Go Back" "Get out my machete and battle … Continue reading On Rivers and Memories
Being Here.
"Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here And you must treat it as a powerful stranger." -- David Wagoner, "Lost" "Oh, the places you'll go!" -- Dr. Seuss "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." -- Irish proverb It's … Continue reading Being Here.
On Asking Questions
"But God is full of grace and his faithfulness is vastThere is safety in the moments when the shit has hit the fanNot some vindictive motherfucker, nor is he shitty at his jobWhat words to hear" -- "Persevere," Gang of Youths "[...] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and … Continue reading On Asking Questions
Seeing the Dying God
"And the entire area -- including the graveyard and ash dump in the valley, and all the fields in the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the Horse Gate -- will be holy to the Lord. The city will never again be destroyed." -- Jeremiah 31:40 "God gives of God's self, and that … Continue reading Seeing the Dying God
What the Hell?
Anastasis (harrowing of hell), 1310-1320. It is a familiar story. One that has been told for millennia, passed down from generation to generation across various ethnic and racial backgrounds. Despite the relatively recent debates in the past few centuries regarding the “historicity” of the story (which, I would argue, is not all that important), the … Continue reading What the Hell?
The Stranger That is God
"All moments are key moments, and life itself is grace." -- Frederick Buechner "I've been to church, I've read the book, I know He's here, but I don't look." -- George Strait It is the poet, not the pragmatic, who teaches us what it means to know God. To alter the words of G.K. Chesterton … Continue reading The Stranger That is God
Grace, Beauty, and Resurrection
"Beauty will save the world." -- The Idiot, Fyodor Dostoyevsky "'I said I've told you all I know. If you push me far enough, all I really know is that he was a fine fisherman.''You know more than that,' my father said. 'He was beautiful.'" -- A River Runs Through It, Norman Maclean I live … Continue reading Grace, Beauty, and Resurrection
The Sacredness of a Coffee Shop
"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!' [...] The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. … Continue reading The Sacredness of a Coffee Shop
It's Tough, Dude 