Devin Hogg

Masculine Pronouns For God: Why We’ve Got It Wrong And Why Jesus Is Worth A Closer Look

Before I became Christian in university, one of the biggest things that bothered me was that God and Jesus were always presented as explicitly male–even C. S. Lewis, who often has a more nuanced understanding as a lay person falls into this trap using some very culturally specific logic to portray God as inherently masculine.Continue reading “Masculine Pronouns For God: Why We’ve Got It Wrong And Why Jesus Is Worth A Closer Look”

Poem: My Love Is Like Jesus

My love is like Jesus.Lots of friendsBut no partners;Lots of folks who love me,Believe in meBut no lovers.My love is like Jesus.Topsy-turveyUpside downFull of hope.People say my loveWill never happen,Is unrealistic;Right idea,Wrong time.“Let it go”They advise,“Or someone will get hurt.”My love is like Jesus.Inviting all the wrong peopleMaybe too quick to embrace painMaybe too quickContinue reading “Poem: My Love Is Like Jesus”

Poem: What Is The Point?

It wells up againDark wave of despair.I feel the weightOf all I’ve failed to do;All the mistakes I’ve made.The future looks bleak indeedLonely and cold.I cry out to the Lord,“What is the point?Why won’t you let me rest?I loveBut I cannot confess my love;I loveBut I must let go out of love.I workBut I amContinue reading “Poem: What Is The Point?”

Poem: Falling And Rising

I have done it againFailed at beingWho others need me to be.I do the best I canI’ve achieved so much moreThen ever before.Still I come up shortNot aware enough;Not strong enough;Not skilled enough;Not good enough.Not.Enough.I’m tiredOf letting people down;Of continually failing.The world is so dark right nowDays are shorterNights colder.My mind becomes cloudedBy grief andContinue reading “Poem: Falling And Rising”

Advent and Christmas: What We Get Wrong and Why It’s Important To Tell It Right

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Christian new year in a variety of Christian traditions. The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year and leads up to the birth of Christ celebrated on December 25. Every year, sermons are preached, songs are sung and pageants are performed celebrating and re-telling the storyContinue reading “Advent and Christmas: What We Get Wrong and Why It’s Important To Tell It Right”

Poem: Hope Rises

Our exile drags onOne step forwardTwo step back,Sometimes feels likeWe’ll never see the end.Disasters and troublesConstantly in the news.Fear and despairAnger and griefConstantly in the air.I am overwhelmed by it all!Constantly prayingFor relief from this ordeal;For healingOf the entire world.Yet of lateDespite all logicAll evidence of my sensesI feel a stirring in my soul.Hope risesForContinue reading “Poem: Hope Rises”

On Turning The Other Cheek: Wink’s Interpretation

One of the most famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount is the encouragement that when one is struck on the cheek, the thing to do is to turn the other cheek also. There have been many interpretations of this over the years. TheContinue reading “On Turning The Other Cheek: Wink’s Interpretation”

Poem: Back To Basics

I know you are weary, child.I know you are overwhelmed.Your heart is achingYour guts are clenched.Tears prick at your eyesAnd throat is tight.You are lonelyOh so lonely.Despair and grief are close at handHope is hard to choose.Breathe.Then breathe again.Come back to your center.Focus on the basicsFoundations tried and true.Before you know itBalance will be restored.

Poem: We Take What Is Given

There is it again.A pang in my heart;A well of despair.“We take what is given”,I think.Took me a whileTo understand that phrase.A call to resiliencyA declaration of hopeFor better days to come.Not a statement of greed and arrogance.Yet oh!How hard it isTo take what is givenwhen what is givenIs constant loneliness.Always to refrain from embracingToContinue reading “Poem: We Take What Is Given”

Poem: At A Loss

I have beenAt a lossFor words of late.Poetry deserts me;All I can doIs groan incoherently.How to captureThe events of these days?How to expressThe rollercoaster of highs and lows?Yet the attemptMust be made.Witness must be borne.So I pickup my pen and paperTake a breatheAnd write.Trust the SpiritTo translate groansTo good enough words.