Jason Locke's Blog

Saw this on a church marquee here in Fresno last week: "Being in a church building doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car." It's a clever saying that I've seen similarly elsewhere. What is true about it, and what does it miss? On the one hand, it's clear that some who attend church do not live Christian lives. There are countless people who sing hymns, listen to sermons, give money and take communion and then lie, cheat, steal, gossip, do nothing, get angry and live abusively in ways that embarrass the name of Christ. Those counterfeits will not receive mercy before God for two hours of piety on Sunday mornings. Jesus demands discipleship that extends to every day of the week. On the other hand, it’s less fashionable to attend church these days. There are still "churches of prestige" in many cities and towns across North America, but we're increasingly living into a world where there is little...

The operation to rescue the 13 trapped members of a Thai soccer (football) team has captured the hearts of the world. Tragedies happen every week across the globe, and they scarcely register in the world's newspapers. The hope of saving these 12 kids and their coach feels different from the often faceless accidents where the victims and the drama are already in the past. In this instance, salvation remains possible. I've written in the past about the seeming emptiness of offering up "thoughts & prayers" when tragedies happen. If you're truly praying for the victims' families, then fine. But if you're just posting words to look empathetic, then your words do a disservice to faith. In such an instance, your offer of "thoughts & prayers" is an egotistical way of telling the world, "Don't forget about me! I want you to notice me!" Your empty words are dangerous and hurtful. Offering up "promises of prayer" car...

I’ve had time recently to reflect on death. It’s a horrible thing to face. But there is the possibility of finding beauty when faced with life’s finality. The following article contains stories about my dad and about a man I knew named Jan Wiener. My experiences with them have helped me find peace in life’s darkest valleys. Here's my post for Charis, a blog-site run by the Center for Heritage and Renewal in Spirituality at Abilene Christian University. The link is below. Charis Blog Post

My dad Larry Locke took his final breath this afternoon. He was in the comfort of his own home in Lebanon, Tennessee. It was as beautiful a spring day as Middle Tennessee can provide. Lovely breeze. Chirping birds. Blooming flowers. But Dad had been unable for weeks to notice the glory of God's created world. He was ready to go and be with the Lord forever. Over the last 2+ years, Larry had struggled with dementia and previously undiagnosed depression. A lifelong runner, he had never spent a night in the hospital prior to this sickness. The loss of his vitality was a blow to all who knew and loved him. While his first hospitalization returned him to a level close to his old self, subsequent declines and hospital stays left him a shadow of the man we knew. His time for this life would number 76 years. Larry Locke was born in 1942 in Shelbyville, Tennessee. His father, W. H. Locke, owned a small diner. His mother, Pansy Worley Locke, had done office work but as a mother was mos...