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It seems that, especially in recent years, there’s nothing more American than having strong feelings about our leaders in government. After a tumultuous transition, we got a new president on Tuesday and unless you’re living under a rock, you know that there are strong, often opposite, feelings about him. These divided feelings have reached new heights in this cycle, but there’s nothing new about this phenomenon. So, what do we do about these regular shifts in leadership and, more to the point... Full story
“Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4 [NIV]). The purpose of Revelation was never to fill in the blanks of the last days so we could be frightened by various events or people as things “line up.” John was given a vision and was told that it must be shared immediately. He wrote down this vision and sent it out to address the current struggles of seven fi...
“The multitude of your sacrifices – what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations – I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appo...
We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign. Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh. Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high. Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb....
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV). Faith is probably one of the most commonly used words in Christian circles. We talk about putting our faith in God. We call ourselves “people of faith” or “believers.” Martin Luther proclaimed loudly enough some 500 ago that salvation is by faith alone that we still hear him loud and clear today. Faith is profoundly important; yet, if we’re not careful in our understanding of faith, it ca...
Isaiah 9:2-7 I’m writing this on Christmas Eve, but know it will be published on the 27th. So, I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. I’m not gonna try to hide it. I absolutely love Christmas! As a pastor, that would make sense, but it’s not just the Jesus-y reasons that inspire my love for Christmas. Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season, but Jesus has given us a reason for some pretty awesome stuff. The food, the friends, the family, the decorations, the music, the gifts, the time off w...
Colossians 2:9-15 Today, I’m going to get a bit deep, but I trust you to follow along as you are very smart (this is an ancient rhetorical device we call shamelessly flattering the reader). I want to talk a bit about one of the pillars of Christian doctrine: atonement. On its face it’s a very simple concept, but it has sparked much debate and controversy when it comes to deeper understandings. Atonement is what Jesus did so that we can be saved. That’s a very simple explanation of somet...
Romans 12:9-21 I am saddened and dismayed by the behavior of many of my Christian brothers and sisters on social media. For many, the truth bomb of the meme has become the go-to means of making a point. For those who aren’t familiar, a meme is an image that usually pairs a short bit of text with a photo. In political memes, the short bit of text traditionally oversimplifies the opposing view and shows that, unless you espouse the view of the meme, you are evil or stupid or both. In the end, the...
"In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance'" (Isaiah 19:24-25 NIV). Biblical prophecy is weird. As a pastor, I probably shouldn't be calling a third of the Bible weird, but I also think it's important to keep in mind when reading prophecy that we're reading something unusual. The words "prophesy" and "predict" have come to be s...
Good Friday Greetings. On this most somber day of the year, I'll endeavor to briefly bring a word of hope for us, but before we begin there's some scripture reading I'd like you to do. It's not strictly necessary for you to do this in order to understand this devotional but it will help with what follows. Go and read Matthew 27:32-46. Then immediately turn Psalm 22 (if you just can't take the time to read it, at least skim it). I'll be here when you get back. So, maybe that was old news to you,...
