In the first two pieces, we looked at sin as a relational act of rebellion against our Father that exists at the community level as well as a personal level. We’ll build on this as we look at sin at a more cosmic level. This is challenging because what we’re told in Scripture leaves usContinue reading “Sin and the Cross (3)”
Category Archives: Coming to God
Sin and the Cross (2)
In a previous piece it was suggested that the ultimate way to look at sin and understand it is in relational terms. Sin is pictured in many ways in the biblical witness: financially, as wages, legally, spoilage, etc. These are all helpful in unpacking certain aspects of sin and enabling us to understand it fromContinue reading “Sin and the Cross (2)”
Sin and the Cross (1)
How do we look at our children? If they’re in school, then we certainly have an academic perspective of them. We keep up with how they’re doing, what their assignments are, and what their proficiencies are as well as what challenges them. We develop realistic expectations and encourage them to reach certain goals. But inContinue reading “Sin and the Cross (1)”
Settling For Less
Not too long ago, I had a dream about Jesus. As is often the case with my dreams, the exact details are fuzzy but I vividly remember that He was hanging out with a small group of people which included me. Jesus fit right in—He looked like us and talked like we did. We wereContinue reading “Settling For Less”
Repentance and Coming to God
One of the ways that a faith that is full, alive, and vital will manifest itself is in what the Scripture refers to as repentance. (I’ve borrowed significantly from J.W. McGarvey on the first three points). 1. Repentance is more than being sorry about your sins. In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul is discussing an earlier letter he wrote to theContinue reading “Repentance and Coming to God”
Pain Management
When you mention this phrase, most of us think of a situation where someone is experiencing a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Pain management speaks to whatever approach they implement to deal with their condition. It might include medication, physical therapy, exercises, counseling, and other elements. It’s not uncommon to hear of people goingContinue reading “Pain Management”
Opening Our Eyes
Our faith is founded on wonder! The Story isn’t the Story without the creation of the cosmos, Noah’s ark, Isaac’s birth, the ten plagues, the Red Sea deliverance, the manna in the wilderness, the spectacle at Mt. Sinai when the law was given (and that’s just two books into the Bible!). These things and othersContinue reading “Opening Our Eyes”
No Reason To Go Back
Imagine you owe a mountain of money—much more than you can repay. It’s all your fault—you spent a little too much here, a little more there. You went through credit cards like they were candy. You didn’t plan for certain expenses you knew were coming. Before you knew it, you were in a hole youContinue reading “No Reason To Go Back”
‘Seeker’ Is Our Status
It was a warm, sunny Saturday morning in early December— the kind of day you’re not going to get very often. We were taking full advantage of it by doing some things out in our back yard when I saw a hawk fly in and perch in one of our pine trees. Over the years we’ve livedContinue reading “‘Seeker’ Is Our Status”
Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus
Faith is how we overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5)—but what did John mean when he wrote these words? He didn’t mean we overcome by virtue of anything that we have done—even if we have done some good things and been used by God in some important and significant ways. God has no problem praisingContinue reading “Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 