Contemplative Comics day 74 "PRICKLY"

Peace Prayer 2/3

Actually having a similar day today… hopefully I handle it better this time.

Contemplative Comics day 73 "CHOP"

Peace Prayer 1/3

Contemplative Comics day 71 "EXPENSIVE"

"The Christian life is the lifelong practice of attending to the details of congruence-congruence between ends and means, congruence between what we do and the way we do it, congruence between what is written in Scripture and our living out what is written, congruence between a ship and its prow, congruence between preaching and living, congruence between sermon and what is lived in both preacher and congregation, the congruence of the Word made flesh in Jesus with what is lived in our flesh."

-Eugene Peterson (As Kingfishers Catch Fire)

I don't think there is a person who has influenced my theology, my understanding of the Bible, or kingdom living more than Eugene Peterson. His death today marks the loss of a great teacher unlike any other in the digital age-not only in his words, but in his life and the way he wielded such a massive platform (of which he was somewhat oblivious to and dismissive of).

His writing is deep and worthy of aspiration, not mere sermons converted to blog-chapters. Actual prose conveying the difficult interactions of the physical and the spiritual with beauty and charm.

The Message has become a close friend and taught me how to read the Bible. Few weeks have gone by in the past 15 years where I haven't consulted it at least once.

I am grateful for the message of Peterson's life. What a gift.

-joshua (10/22/18)

Contemplative Comics day 69 "BREAKABLE"

Davy’s story…

Contemplative Comics day 68 "SCORCHED"

This is when I started realizing that I was not just going to be fine because Davy was fine. Or I might just be reading that into it now that it’s two years later. I’m not sure.

Contemplative Comics day 66 "SWOLLEN"

Parenting. So majestic.

Contemplative Comics day 64 "WEAK"

Davy’s story… bringing Davy home was a really tough experience.

Contemplative Comics day 63 "CLOCK"

Davy’s story…

Contemplative Comics day 62 "GUARDED"

Davy’s story…

Contemplative Comics day 60 "CRUEL"

Davy’s story…

Contemplative Comics day 59 "FLOWING"

Davy’s story.

Contemplative Comics day 58 "PRECIOUS"

Davy’s story…

Contemplative Comics day 57 "STAR"

Davy’s story… thank you everyone.

Contemplative Comics day 56 "EXHAUSTED"

Davy’s story…

This Inktober prompt required no contemplation at all. I remember laughing when I sat down to draw it.

That’s all.

Contemplative Comics day 55 "DROOLING"

Davy’s story… (happy 2nd birthday, lil’ dude)

Isn’t that a prayer we can all relate to? “God… you know, amen.”

It isn’t a lazy prayer. It is the only prayer that comes to mind when you are staring at a giant void. You know the void is going to be trouble, but you have no idea how much. Where does it really start? Where does it end? Does it end? Who will survive?

This was one of the scariest days of my life. Actually, I don’t really know when the scariest part occurred.

I can tell you that I still haven’t been the same after this whole ordeal took place. I don’t know exactly why. Maybe it was the first time I experienced real fear. The kind of fear you can’t just brush off and say, “oh, it will be alright.” Perhaps this was my first experience with trauma.

I primarily navigated this alone. It isn’t that no one reached out to me or us. We received overwhelming well-wishes, gifts, and sympathy. My various inboxes flooded with stories from friends who have had similar experiences with their children. It was beautiful.

I am not saying I was alone as an accusation against others.

But I felt alone. Somehow the experience shut doors inside of me in ways I still don’t fully understand.