I am troubled.

I am seriously troubled. I spent the past week conversing quite a bit with a number of wacked out non-Christians. And I am seriously troubled about it because I am so inadequately prepared to converse with these people and get into their world so that my salt and light can shine.

It is as though I am from another planet. I am quite comfortable parsing verbs and exegeting passages and writing sermons and debating the nuances of double predestination. However, when it comes to simple things like the latest movies or cultural fads, I make one statement and am mocked incredulously. It is not the mocking that bothers me. It is the fact that I thought I was right in the conversation.

In order to reach people, we have to know where they live and understand their world to some extent. Seminary has ben stripping all of that from me. And I don't think it is enough to learn and quote more verses or learn more conversation techniques.

Any ideas?

The Resurrection from the Death of Sin

I found this by Tersteegen, and it seems appropriate for Easter.


O Glorious Head, Thou livest now!
Let us Thy members share Thy life;
Canst Thou behold their need, nor bow
To raise Thy children from the strife
With self and sin, with death and dark distress,
That they may live to Thee in holiness?
Earth knows Thee not, but evermore
Thou liv'st in Paradise, in peace;
Oh fain my soul would thither soar,
Oh let me from the creatures cease:
Dead to the world, but to Thy spirit known,
I live to Thee, O Prince of life, alone.
Break through my bonds whate'er it cost,
What is not Thine within me slay,
Give me the lot I covet most,
To rise as Thou hast risen today.
I nought can do, a slave to death I pine,
Work Thou in me, O Power and Life Divine!
Work Thou in me, and heavenward guide
My thoughts and wishes, that my heart
Waver no more nor turn aside,
But fix for ever where Thou art.
Thou art not far from us; who loves Thee well,
While yet on earth in heaven with Thee may dwell.