Tyler Braun's Blog, page 28

Yes, We’re Talking About Selfies

When the Oxford Dictionaries named “selfie” as the word of the year for 2013 they were not providing commentary as to whether it was a good or a bad thing for our culture. Instead, they presented the word as one that had grown in popularity to the point where its use was now ingrained in our culture.

I’ve read a lot of op-ed pieces on the subject, including this New York Times piece from actor James Franco, and everyone seems to have an opinion. What I wonder is what we can learn about this cu...

My One Word For 2014

Last year at this time I wrote out a whole post explaining why foundation would be my one word area of focus for 2013. I was anticipating becoming a dad, and becoming further entrenched into my pastoral ministry vocation, so focusing on a foundation that could be built upon in the coming years seemed wise.

Now as we are into 2014, my focus needs to shift. Not that I ever spot building a foundation, but I sense God pushing within me a desire toward a different focus, and one that still helps me...

Looking Back

I can’t think of a more life-altering year, than 2013 was for me. Throughout the year, despite having any number of excuses to quit, I held myself to writing consistently. In fact, on a number of occasions I think writing helped me stay sane, cause operating on very little sleep for weeks on end starts to play tricks with your head.

Toward the end of the calendar year I enjoy reflecting back on all that the previous year held in its grasp. The good moments, and bad as well. Quite often I can t...

What I’m Feasting On

Back in October I shared a post highlighting what I’d been consuming, with the idea behind this being that what we take in shapes who we become.

Whether positively or negative the things that we spend our time engaging with have a powerful influence. Several years ago Donald Miller spoke at a men’s retreat I was at, and he shared about a time when he started watching Entourage (cable television show). After several months of watching that show he noticed his thoughts were different. He was a m...

A Call to Complementarians

Some reflections for my complementarian brothers and sisters-

Are complementarians doing enough to provide space for underprivileged people to have equal value within the church? That is the question I’ve had running in my head the past few weeks, following lots of discussion on the complementarian and feminist perspectives.

If you’ve missed the discussions I started on where complementarianism fits within the conversation surrounding feminism, and then my reactions to the feedback from the ini...

What I’ve Been Working On

I’ve mentioned here several times the lack of time for writing available in my schedule since becoming a dad. Following writing a book and then becoming a dad, it’s been a constant battle of trying to find time and space to write, while also having a great reason not to.

I had a great conversation with David about this. We explored what it looks like to do something meaningful via the written word for someone who wants to write but isn’t getting paid for it now. I love writing for all of you,...

What Have We Become?

Title inspired by DC Talk. Because anytime you can reference DC Talk on your blog, you’re doing it right.

What have we become was the question I asked myself last Thursday night after I spent the entire day engaging with comments from my poston how whether complementarians and Christian feminists can find any common ground.(If you haven’t taken the time to share your thoughts please do so. I didn’t pose the question to make a point. There’s no ulterior motive. Just hoping for a profitable dial...

Finding Space for Complementarian Views Within Christian Feminism

If you pay attention to some of the more popular Christian blogs, or if you pay attention to the Christian book publishing industry, it’s pretty easy to see that a wave of Christian feminism is making a big push. I don’t say that as good or bad, just as an observation.

I’ve had my fair share of interactions with men and women who call themselves Christian feminists, and thought I’d share my greatest struggle in engaging conversation and disagreement on the subject.

When I first started blogging...

Bystanders

A few weekends back I had my worst restaurant experience in recent memory. All of us have had them. Bad food resulting in food poisoning. Or Bad service that made us want to stiff the waiter. Or the longest wait time ever, only to get stuck with the table right next to the kitchen.

I rarely complain following a bad restaurant experience but this time I did. I told the server I wanted to speak to a manager.

As the manager approached I figured out exactly why the restaurant was so dysfunctional....

Who You’re Becoming Isn’t Your Decision

“I have no need for friendship; friendship causes pain. Its laughterand its loving I disdain. I am a rock. I am an island.” -Simon and Garfunkle

—

I recently shared to the youth at my church about how I believed I could tell them what they would be like in 5 years if I knew the 5 most important people to them. I imagine that most students in middle and high school would name their parents and 3 friends, but this theory about 5 people isn’t just an idea I have. Since I shared it I’ve heard it sp...