After Dinner Conversation

Did you know that all foods share at least one common ingredient? No matter what kind of food you’re eating, it contains a social ingredient which means it always tastes better in the company of others. Food is something God gave us not just to nourish our bodies, but to nourish our relationships. Get people together toContinue reading “After Dinner Conversation”

First Things First

When we were living in Alabama, I went out one morning to play disc golf on a course at our local sportsplex. Due to the heat and humidity, I was out there early—about 6:45 in the morning. I applied sunscreen, put an extra shirt in my cart, got my rosin bag, range finder, a pearContinue reading “First Things First”

Saying Goodbye To Your Pigs

The man from Decapolis was anything but free before he met Jesus. He lived in the tombs among the dead, because for all intents and purposes—that’s what he was. But it wasn’t always that way for him. He once had a life. He was someone’s son, grandson, probably a brother, nephew, and cousin. Maybe heContinue reading “Saying Goodbye To Your Pigs”

Proclaiming with Power and Authority (1)

In terms of development, Luke favors geography more than chronology (Krol). After alternating between the early lives of John and Jesus in the first three chapters, he takes us to Galilee (4-9), Samaria (10-19), and Jerusalem (20-24) in telling us the story of Jesus. Chronology isn’t ignored (see 7:21, 9:51), but neither does he strictlyContinue reading “Proclaiming with Power and Authority (1)”

Proclaiming with Power and Authority (2)

In living for Christ then disciples are proclaiming the reign of God as well as providing proof of such.  By “living for Christ,” I don’t mean disciples are to be good people doing nice things—there are plenty of people doing that who (sadly) don’t belong to Jesus. By living for Christ I mean that ratherContinue reading “Proclaiming with Power and Authority (2)”

When You’re Feeling a Little Lost

“Lost” is a little word with enormous meaning. We use it spiritually, relationally, materially, athletically, financially, and in just about every other way you can imagine. In its ultimate sense, lost means to be estranged from God and the life He desires for us, but it’s quite possible to be in relationship with God andContinue reading “When You’re Feeling a Little Lost”

Something To Think About

The Beatitudes are rich with multiple layers of meaning.  Here’s a paraphrase I did a while back in an effort to uncover some of the treasures found in them.  I hope it makes you think.  Better yet, maybe it will make you want to try coming up with your own paraphrase! Blessed are those who recognize their spiritual poverty apartContinue reading “Something To Think About”

Through the Bible in 1 Year

The idea here is simple—I want to write through the Scripture in a year! Our congregation is using the E-100 Bible reading schedule in 2024. It consists of 100 readings from Genesis through Revelation. The idea is that going through these readings will give you the big, overarching story of Scripture.  So that’s what IContinue reading “Through the Bible in 1 Year”

Revolution

You say you want a Revolution, Well, you know, We all wanna change the world. You tell me that it’s evolution, Well, you know, We all wanna change the world.  John Lennon sang these words in 1968 in the Beatles’ classic, Revolution. Our country (and much of the world) was going through turbulent times—not a lot different than today in manyContinue reading “Revolution”

The Challenging Beatitudes

Matthew’s gospel alternates between six narrative and five teaching sections (5-7,10,13,18,23-25).  Each of the teaching sections conclude with a statement to the effect of when Jesus had finished saying/teaching (all) these things (7:28,11:1,13:53, 19:1,26:1). Some think that Matthew laid the teaching of Jesus out in five sections to mirror the five books written by Moses.  That mayContinue reading “The Challenging Beatitudes”