Joseph Givens

Stop Striving: An Incomplete Interpretation of Psalm 46:10

What if we’ve misunderstood one of the most quoted verses in the Bible? What I’m speaking of is Psalm 46:10. I learned this verse as a young person, and we always used the King James Version (KJV), so this is how I memorized it: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will beContinue reading “Stop Striving: An Incomplete Interpretation of Psalm 46:10”

We Already Know the Answer. We Just Choose not to Live It.

I’ve been sitting with a question from the Gospel of Luke lately, a question that has echoed across centuries: “Who is my neighbor?” For context, this question comes from a moment when a lawyer was trying to trip up Jesus. This lawyer would have been extremely familiar with the most intimate details of the JewishContinue reading “We Already Know the Answer. We Just Choose not to Live It.”

Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 12–From Holding Back to Leaning In: Faith, Pacifism, and the Girl with Curly Hair

Hello, my friends, I’m sorry for the extended silence. It’s become harder to write these posts. As I get further into the story, there are more things I want to say, more details to share. Like all people, as I got older, my life became more complex, as has the story I want to tell.Continue reading “Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 12–From Holding Back to Leaning In: Faith, Pacifism, and the Girl with Curly Hair”

Failing the Commandments, Clinging to Mercy

Father, You gave us two rules and we didn’t keep either of them. The story of humanity is the story of you telling us the same things over and over and of us failing to follow. For some reason we humans feel the need to create more rules for ourselves, to misinterpret the things you’veContinue reading “Failing the Commandments, Clinging to Mercy”

Shoots of Spring

I was a young idealist. I thought the world could change, That green shoots of spring would emerge From the dark frosty ground. If I could just say the right words Then people would hear; Their minds and hearts would open To the suffering they now ignore. The world could be better If people cameContinue reading “Shoots of Spring”

Against the Darkness: Living Out the Gospel in Troubled Times

Ok, I’ve got to say something. I can’t just leave it open to interpretation. I try not to be overly political here, and I’ll try to continue to maintain my sense of grace when I discuss these things. However, this fight is real. It seems that the Powers of Darkness are winning, and I won’tContinue reading “Against the Darkness: Living Out the Gospel in Troubled Times”

Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 11 – From Fundamentalism to Fractured Faith: Seeking a Holistic Gospel

Hello, once again, Introduction It’s getting harder to write these posts because there are so many things I want to say that to include everything would be a never-ending quest. I want to hit the highlights of my theological development, but there are so many twists and turns in my own mind that it’s trulyContinue reading “Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 11 – From Fundamentalism to Fractured Faith: Seeking a Holistic Gospel”

When Self-Doubt Meets Faith: Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome

“My mom wanted to tell you that she wants to become a Christian. She’s been thinking about it for a long time, but after getting to know you, she decided that it’s the right thing for her.” “I think you bring a lot of strength to this house!” “Christians are good people.” “Just keep doingContinue reading “When Self-Doubt Meets Faith: Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome”

Reclaiming the Sabbath: Finding Rest and Renewal

Sabbath. Sabbath is a word that wasn’t used much in my faith tradition as I was growing up. I always thought of sabbath as something that Jews do. I knew that Jesus talked about it, but since Jesus came to fulfil the law, the requirements surrounding sabbath no longer apply to the church. At least,Continue reading “Reclaiming the Sabbath: Finding Rest and Renewal”

Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 10 – From Teenage Rebellion to Refugee Crises: Embracing Complexity in Faith and Life

“Life was easier then, but I don’t want to go back.” Those are the words that ended my last post in this series, months ago. A lot has happened in that time. I’ve been to North America and back. I’ve visited a number of Mennonite Churches where I experienced true and heartfelt hospitality and welcome.Continue reading “Caffeinated Chronicles: Part 10 – From Teenage Rebellion to Refugee Crises: Embracing Complexity in Faith and Life”