One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith is tied to the sacraments of the church. Depending on which church you attend there may be a variance in how many sacraments are observed and practiced. But, regardless of what church you attend two have remained central and essential to all–Communion and Baptism. I would like to talk about this second one today. Continue reading “I Felt the Waters Again”
Tag: Christianity
Reading as Conversation: Learning to Hear the Voice of God Today (Pt. 1)
If you believe in God, then you have asked yourself some variation of this question: How can I know what God wants for or from me?
Another way the question has been asked is, “Is it possible for me to hear God’s voice today?” The implication being that God no longer speaks with people like he seemingly did in the Bible. I think the short answer to the question is this, God does speak today. We are just don’t know how to hear him.
One of the issues we have when reading the Bible is that we lose the sense of time. The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years. God was not “talking” every day. This is one of the misconceptions we have to get rid of if we are going to hear from God in our own lives. God’s use of audible declarations were rare occurrences. The problem is not whether God speaks, it’s figuring out if we are tuning into the right station. Some of the assumptions we have about how God communicates have to change if we are going to gain clarity in discerning his presence and will for our lives.
Continue reading “Reading as Conversation: Learning to Hear the Voice of God Today (Pt. 1)”
Leona Lewis | “Footprints in the Sand”
I came across this video the other day. I’m a fan of Leona Lewis’s voice and gave it a listen. I had never heard it before, but I was surprised at it’s power and message. I hope you enjoy.
You are a New Creation: In Search of a Stronger Theology of Spiritual Formation (Part 1)
More than half of my life has been spent in some form of ministry. I have served a number of churches and have been responsible for a variety of ministry areas. For eight of those years I served as a youth pastor. I will not get into the pros and cons of youth ministry as a whole–that would take far too long. I would like to take a few moments and explore some of the lessons I learned during my time as a pastor to those who were still trying to discover what they believed. I can say without hesitation that my time in youth ministry greatly affected the way that I understand spiritual formation. Continue reading “You are a New Creation: In Search of a Stronger Theology of Spiritual Formation (Part 1)”
A Divorced Church: The Irreconcilable Differences Between the Church and State
I believe it would be accurate to say that every generation since Jesus’ ascension has declared that it is one step closer to his return. The end of time is one of those realities that makes you wonder if we understand the conditions that must be met in order for Jesus’ return to take place. I cannot and will not claim any special expertise on the matter, but I will say, I find myself inclined to join the chorus. I do not know what exactly has triggered this shift in my mind but, it is there. I describe it is a sanctified unease as I look, listen, and live in our world. The world is changing. I guess it always had been, but I am now noticing it. The cultures of the world are changing. I should not really be surprised, they always do. For some reason I can now sense, in a more personal and visceral way, that everything is in a greater state of flux than I imagined. Continue reading “A Divorced Church: The Irreconcilable Differences Between the Church and State”
What Pope Francis can teach Pastors about being “Pastoral”
I have all but given up reading or watching the news. In our modern world of 24hr whatever you want, I have better things to do than hear the same thing over and over again. That being said, I do try and follow what is going on in the realm of religious news. In particular I follow the goings on of the Catholic Church because, for better or for worse, they are the largest and most visible expression of Christian faith. Continue reading “What Pope Francis can teach Pastors about being “Pastoral””
Traitors of the Kingdom: How The Church is Losing its Prophetic Voice
One of the realities of our time, and every era before this one, has been the temptation for the church to become entangled in the affairs of the world. This is the danger that exists for those of us who desire to reach into a world doomed by sin with the redemptive Gospel of Jesus Christ. We can look at the headlines, the local news, or even the casual conversations we have with our neighbors and friends to see that all is not well with the world. We can put on a smile and tell others we are “fine” but that only muffles the sound of the crumbling structures of our society.
Continue reading “Traitors of the Kingdom: How The Church is Losing its Prophetic Voice”
He Is Risen!
Happy Easter!
Lent Day #40 | Holy Saturday
I have been wracking my brain all day, trying to decide what to say. I have decide not to say anything. As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ, I ask you to consider what the disciples felt as they had to live through the Saturday after the crucifixion of Jesus. What would you have felt?
This is a day of mourning. Of apprehension. We should never take for granted the resurrection. The disciples did not know for sure if it would take place. We have the benefit of history and scholarship to buttress our faith. Let us not be cavalier about Jesus death.
God bless you on this Holy Saturday.
Lent Day #39 | Good Friday
I have often wondered if the first disciples of Jesus felt it was appropriate to call the Friday Jesus died “good.” It is difficult to fathom how anything that took place that Friday afternoon could have been considered good. Trumped charges led to a bogus trial and led which to the execution of an innocent man. The circumstances of that day are anything but good.
This evening, during our services, we had a time of confession and repentance. It was a time where we could reflect and submit to God those sins holding us back from fully surrendering to God. It was a powerful moment. At the end of the service, I could see the slips of paper that had been laid upon the cross of Jesus. As I stood there looking at them, the following thought passed through my mind.
If these represent one confessed sin (among the many possibilities) of one fellowship of believers, how must have the cross looked to God when the sins of the world, for all time, were laid upon Jesus?
I was stunned by the reality of how our sinfulness had affected the purest life to have ever walked upon the earth. The unstained, undefiled, unadulterated beauty and perfection of Jesus was ravaged by our sin. He hung on a cross, suffering because if I had to do it I would go to hell. It was the innocence of Jesus that revealed the diabolical nature of our sin. We will never fully understand what the cross of Calvary means. We can experience its benefits. We can know we have been changed, redeemed, and set upon a new path. We just do not have the capacity to process all God did for us in Christ.
Today is Good Friday, not because it was good for Jesus, but because it was good for us!
Remember the sorrow this day represents, but look forward, for Sunday is yet to come. The following video is such a wonderful reminder of this simple reality.
(If you can’t see the video click HERE)