Tag: metamodernism
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Snorkeling the Heights
I was online today (as one does when in a Texas ice day and the boy is having him some Cocomelon on TV), and ran across the phrase “Deeper Christian.” It caused me to pause. This idea the cause for a lot of our problems in Christianity. I think we need to ditch it. I…
matthewcgillum
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I Made a Fire
Growing up, I understood that a fireplace in Texas was a lot like a Texas creek. Just like you couldn’t assume that something called a creek in Texas would ever have water in it, you couldn’t assume often that the elements would line up well enough to actually make a fire in a fireplace. Cold…
matthewcgillum
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The Erasing of a Workaholic
If you know me, you know that my mind is usually running on 5 different rails with various tasks popping up at different times. It’s both the blessing and the curse of an Executive Pastor that every day has variety and responsibility. As part of my survival, I rely on a whiteboard that I keep…
matthewcgillum
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A Tasty Communion
This past Sunday as our church did Communion, one of my children after drinking the cup of grape juice quietly said, “Mmm. That was good.” It made me laugh, generally because when it comes to Baptist Lord’s Suppers, I’m not sure tasty has ever been high on my descriptor list. The little papier mache cracker…
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Maybe You’re Here
Having worked in ministry for a long time, I often latch onto strange phrases that become part of the normal language of ministry. We can do this with other churchy words like sacrament and doctrine and liturgy, etc. One phrase in particular that makes me stop in my tracks, but which I hear almost every…
matthewcgillum
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Bricks
A few weeks ago I had the chance to teach a seminary class at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Frightening, I know. But one of the cool things about when I return to the campus at SWBTS is seeing some of the legacy from my wife’s family there. Her father and grandfather both led the Physical…
matthewcgillum
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War and Peace
(Photo credit: Chris Barton) Having grown up in church, I’ve heard the passage from Luke 2 many times where Scripture shows us the announcement of the birth of Christ. We’re exposed to angels telling people not to fear, pronouncing good news, and singing of peace on earth and goodwill to men. In my mind, this…
matthewcgillum
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Family Photos
This time of year is notable in the Gillum family as the time when we take family photos. As wonderful as family photos are, my main experience of trying to take family photos is a waking nightmare. Dealing with wanderers, boogers, tears, M&Ms and the chocolate stains thereof, wearing particularly uncomfortable sweaters when it’s 80…
matthewcgillum
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Low Battery
Ever have one of those mornings where you forget to charge your phone? I’ve had a few (OK, several) of those mornings lately. It’s always kind of demoralizing to break through the fog of sleep and fatigue to wrench yourself from bed, to wage war against getting the kids out the door, fighting the insufferable…
matthewcgillum
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Windmills and Survival Techniques
This past weekend, I had the privilege of leading a group of men to go climb Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the state of Texas. It was a wonderful hike and a great adventure. But if you’re familiar with the true mountains in Texas, it takes a reeeealllly long time to drive out there.…
matthewcgillum
And yet, and yet... 