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But When You Fast
When was the last time you heard someone talk about fasting? For many Christians, it’s the least familiar of the spiritual disciplines. We understand giving. Most of us have some sort of prayer life. But fasting often feels mysterious, intimidating, or perhaps even unnecessary. Yet Jesus spoke about it as though it were perfectly ordinary.… Continue reading
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Attention Poetry Lovers: A Beautiful But
Students! Today’s lesson takes us out of grammar books and into the poetry section. Your old professor enjoys a well-crafted poem, particularly when the poet knows how to employ our favorite little conjunction. Today’s exhibit comes from Annie Johnson Flint (1866–1932), a prolific Christian poet and hymn writer. If you’ve never heard of her, you’re… Continue reading
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But the Lord God Called
It is probably not going to be a good day in the garden when a snake strikes up a conversation with you. Genesis 3 introduces the serpent as crafty. He begins not with an outright denial, but with a question: “Did God really say…?” That is how deception often works. It introduces confusion where there… Continue reading

Darin Michael Shaw
In addition to being the world’s foremost expert on the conjunction but, author and freelance writer Darin Michael Shaw (he/him/his) identifies as a post-evangelical, free-range Jesus Freak, taking Jesus seriously when he says, “Follow me,” while inviting others to come and see for yourself.
