The Apostle Paul captures the life, death, and the majesty of Christ poetically with just seven verses in Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV). Continue reading “The Selfless Savior”
The Gospel is Lived and Spoken
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” – St. Francis of Assisi. Did he really say that? Probably not. It sounds good, but when preaching the Gospel both words and works are necessary. The Gospel is lived and spoken. Continue reading “The Gospel is Lived and Spoken”
Prone to Wander
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way (Isaiah 53:6). This is the spiritual state of the world. We are all prone to wander. What causes us to wander away from God and how does God seek to reclaim his own?
My Easter Hope
I grew up Catholic but when I went to college I stopped going to mass. The only time I remember going was during Holy Week (Holy Week leads up to Easter). I attended a Maundy/Holy Thursday service. I went because I thought I might witness the Stations of the Cross. They did not give the Stations that evening. I missed it and it is one of the traditions that I miss from my Catholic days. I did not go the next day of any other day afterward. I thought, “this may be last time I go to church.” Little did I know, God had different plans.
Prophetic Imagination
Walter Brueggemann makes a case for God’s people to recapture the prophetic imagination of God’s prophets. He calls us to recapture it because we are encapsulated by our surrounding, dominant, and pervasive culture. Starting with Moses he demonstrates to the reader how God’s people are to be a part of an alternative community. Moses was not simply interested in social justice but he was preaching a message that ushered in God’s re-creation. The Israelites had been enslaved so long that they did not know an alternative to their way of life as slaves.
TGIF Saint Patrick’s Day
Here’s some Saint Patty Day info! Saint Patrick was a 5th century bishop who helped convert Ireland to Christianity. He is depicted with a cross in one hand and a shamrock in the other. It is told that Patrick would use the the three leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity to those he was converting. The colors blue and green have both been associated with Saint Patricks with green taking prominence through the influence of the political group, the United Irishmen. Continue reading “TGIF Saint Patrick’s Day”
A Gathered People
“There is no such thing as lone ranger Christianity in the New Testament; there is no suggestion that a person can be vitally united with Christ and growing spiritually apart from the church.” – Roger E. Olson.
TGIF Lent
I’ve got six dynamite links to share with you today! From The Shack, to sharing your faith, to Lent. I hope that they will be life enriching to you and that they will help you to see Jesus more clearly. Go and do good for God while you still have the opportunity and have an awesome weekend! Continue reading “TGIF Lent”
TGIF National Tortilla Chip Day
Happy National Tortilla Chip Day! It’s also my youngest daughter’s birthday. Maybe we will grab some chips and queso, but that’s not her thing so probably not. Anyways, I’ve included some good links for you this week. One of them is from one of my favorite movies. “Take it easy!” Continue reading “TGIF National Tortilla Chip Day”
Salvation
One of the most important discoveries for me was the theological concept of imputed righteousness. When I was a preaching intern, I was instructed to write an essay on the topic. This teaching has tripped up many a Restorationist. I have had discussions with church members and ministers about the unearned nature of salvation and the way in which we are made righteous. After describing imputed righteousness, it is usually followed up with a “but.” The conversation then transitions to our need for obedience and if a person can lose their salvation.