The Forest Parish: Above All Love

Revisiting Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the Questions of Intent ​"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." — Psalm 9:9 (ESV) ​Seventy-nine years later, the mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki still cast long shadows over our understanding of warfare, morality, and geopolitics. While the conventional narrative holds that these bombings were a tragic necessity, a closer look at the historical record—and the specific destruction of Japan’s Christian heartland—reveals an unsettling debate. ​The Weight of Regret: Oppenheimer and Einstein ​The men who birthed the atomic age were among the first to be haunted by it. ​ J. Robert Oppenheimer , upon witnessing the first successful test of the bomb, famously recalled a line from the Bhagavad Gita : "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This quote has become the definitive expression of the scientist’s burden—the realization that his intellect had provi...

​“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...” — Hebrews 1:1-2 ​The "True Myth": How Ancient Whispers Found Their Voice in the Forest ​In the quiet corners of the proverbial Forest Parish, where the wind through the pines feels like an old conversation, we often find ourselves standing between two worlds. On one hand, we have the earthy, rugged wisdom of our Pictish and Norse ancestors. On the other, we have the radical, transformative message of the "Red Letter" Gospel—the direct words and life of Jesus. ​At first glance, these might seem like opposites: one rooted in pagan myth, the other in sacred scripture. However, there is a robust theological tradition that suggests they are actually part of the same story. This is the theology of Fulfillment , or Praeparatio Evangelica —the "Preparation for the Gospel." ​1. The Greek Connec...

The Red Letter Challenge ​"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?" — Matthew 5:46-47 ​The Brotherhood We Fear: A Logical Challenge to Modern Faith ​In the 1995 film Cry, the Beloved Country , James Jarvis (played by Richard Harris ) reads a letter written by his late son. The words provide a sharp logical challenge to anyone who claims to follow a faith of love. ​The quote says: ​"The truth is that our Christian civilization is riddled through and through with dilemma. We believe in the brotherhood of man, but we do not want it. We believe in justice, but we are afraid of it. When posterity comes to judge us, will we be consigned to the pages of history as tyrants, or as men who had the courage to be free?" ​Historical Parallels: A Logic Check ​History shows that this "dilemma" follows a predictab...

I have the pleasure of being an outdoor learning assistant (ASN) at Vogrie Early Learning Center here are a few of my nature photos from the area this season. 

​A Place of Hearth, Home, and Holy Ground ​ Dear friends in Christ, ​Welcome to this clearing in the woods. Just as the forest offers shelter to all and the hearth provides warmth to the weary, I hope this space serves as a sanctuary for your spirit. ​There are many voices in the world, but here is the rhythm of my own heart and ministry—a way of life rooted in the ancient soil of the Gospel and the quiet light of the home fire. ​The Three Great Trees: A Foundation of Faith ​In my journey, three truths stand like ancient oaks, providing shelter and strength: ​ The Living Word: Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Apart from Him, the true God cannot be fully known. In Jesus, we see the face of a God who is Love, and whose Gospel is the path of Peace. ​ The Gift of Grace: Salvation is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Like the rain that falls on the forest floor, grace is a gift—unearned, refreshing, and life-giving. ​ T...

This article is written with Easy English principles. It uses shorter sentences, simple words, and clear ideas. It is designed to be accessible for young readers and people with learning disabilities, while keeping the heart of an important message. ​ THE FOREST PARISH ​ Finding God in the Wild and at Home ​ What is the Forest Parish? ​Imagine a huge forest with no walls. This is the Forest Parish . We believe that God is like a Shepherd, and the whole world is His church. ​Since the beginning of time, people everywhere have looked at the trees, the stars, and the animals. They felt in their hearts that Someone made them. This feeling is a gift from God. He put a "seeking instinct" inside everyone. ​In this forest, everyone is welcome. It does not matter what country you are from or how your brain works. God made every kind of mind, and He loves them all. ​ The Five Big Truths (The Solas) ​These are the five "roots" that keep our faith strong: ...

​"And with all these things, love each other. Love is the thing that holds all these good things together in a perfect way." — EasyEnglish Bible ​"Think about how the flowers in the field grow. They do not work. They do not make clothes for themselves. But I tell you this: Even King Solomon was very rich. But he did not have clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers." — EasyEnglish Bible ​ Title: Above All Love: From the Highlands to the Forest Floor Theme: Life Seasons, Caregiving, and the "Hidden" Ministry ​To my friends and fellow travelers, ​There is a season for everything under heaven. For some years, my calling was a semi public one—heard through preaching, singing, and the deep study of social science and theology. This was coupled with living in intentional communities such as Lee Abbey (summer 2006 in Devon), L'arche (Highlands), London Catholic Worker (during a 'free month'), and Kilravock Christian Trust (based i...

The poem, originally titled "God Knows" and written by Minnie Louise Haskins in 1908, is most famous for its opening preamble. ​Here is the full text: ​The Gate of the Year ​And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” ​So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East. ​So heart be still: What need our little life, Our human life, to know, If God hath comprehension? In all the dizzy strife Of things both high and low, God hideth His intention. ​God knows. His will Is best. The stretch of years Which wind ahead, so dim To our imperfect vision, Are clear to God. Our fears Are premature; In Him, All time hath full provision. ​Then rest: un...