With the impending inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America, I feel the urgency of my faith like never before. By ‘the urgency of my faith’ I mean its usefulness in guiding who I will be and how I will act now that Mr. Trump will rule the land. I think I would still be alarmed by Mr. Trump without … Continue reading Moral Foundations for Living in Trump’s America (Part 1 of 3)
This year, I’m utilizing the 7 I AMs to navigate Lent. I needed something different and thought that they carried the plot lines of Lent well. Jesus faces more and more antagonism as the I AMs progress. The final I AM (I am the Vine) occurs on Maundy Thursday. Today I was exploring “I am the Gate of the Sheep” together with “I am the … Continue reading Who’s the Gatekeeper?
Note: This series on The Church as it is presented in Acts seeks to: (A) examine the character and praxis of the first church, (B) apply lessons from the first church to the contemporary church and (C) gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between discipleship, church life and leadership. This examination is inspired by the many church leaders who espouse the “Acts 2 … Continue reading The Acts 1 Church
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl. 1:9) Why I Missed the Leadership Summit I didn’t make the Leadership Summit. I wrote it down on my calendar, set my phone to go bezerk at the right time and even thought about getting close to wi-fi (which does not exist in … Continue reading The Best Way to Save the Church is to Keep Doing What We’ve Always Done
“Consider the lilies of the field! They neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” This is a political, social, economic and moral statement. (See passage here) ‘Consider’—more like ‘Behold!’—means pay attention to what is already around you. Open your eyes! Eureka! I’ve found it! We live with our eyes half open. … Continue reading Page One: The Lilies of the Field
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by … Continue reading On the 12th Day of Christmas
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for inhim all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he … Continue reading On the 7th Day of Christmas
I am okay with the Pastoral Jesus. I love the images of him carrying the lamb on his shoulder. I like to think that as the pre-Incarnate Christ was there at creation, he has a good way with animals and people. I preach regularly about the universal salvation of Jesus. For Advent, the Incarnation is Jesus’ first act of reconciling us to himself. By the … Continue reading My Current Beef with Jesus of Nazareth, Savior of All Creation
Pilate Tremors at the rush Defiance pointed elsewhere “Yes, crucify him!” Skull Do not look away Behold your king, giving all- But for what reason? Image: “good friday” by sashamd Continue reading Good Friday (Luke’s version)
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