In a previous post I started to talk about the new cessationism that is prominent in some Christian circles. I believe it’s because we have a retreat mentality every time someone we disagree with goes overboard. I’m finding more and more Christian leaders are afraid to talk about angels. They don’t want to seem “too spiritual.” They’ve seen the damage done when someone claims a new revelation that comes from angels. They want the focus to be complete on Christ. [...] Read more »
How Can We Seek the Lord?
We’ve previously discussed WHY we should seek the Lord. But I still haven’t gotten around to discussing how we can. As I mentioned earlier, “I guess I always thought it meant “pray longer” maybe even “pray louder”. Of course it meant to fast…” But what does the Bible say about it. I know I’m ticking off some Bible scholars because I pull verses out of context and don’t discuss the nuances of the original language. In my defense, this is [...] Read more »
Why Should we Seek the Lord?
It’s best I don’t assume everyone buys into a life of “following hard after God”. Every tribe of church has our own language and assumptions and what makes perfect sense to one won’t mean a thing to the next. Truth be told, even if we think we know what “seek the Lord” means, chances are its not exactly how Scripture defines it. And so before I begin to show you how we are to seek the Lord as Scripture defines, [...] Read more »
As I Was Looking Into Seeking the Lord…
When we’re raised in the church, we often accept that we know what phrases mean without ever thinking, “Just what does that mean?” The longer your on the way, the harder it is to say to someone who asks you to explain a concept, “I really don’t know.” So we make something up based on all the sermons we heard that never explained phrases and just assumed we were all on the same page. I was a senior pastor at [...] Read more »
Listening to the Father
As we plan for 2010 and the future beyond, we want to keep listening to the Father. We can’t run ahead of Him and assume we know the next step He wants us to take. This highlights the importance of our relationship with Him. We can’t read the Bible or hear Him in some tangible way years ago and just assume we don’t need to hear Him again today. I’m not talking about pointless introspection. I am encouraging you that [...] Read more »
The Harvest Moon
We had an incredible Harvest Moon around these parts this year. Every time I see it, I’m reminded about this illustration that comes from the natural and explains the supernatural. While no illustration is perfect, this one comes close. Be encouraged, this life you’re called to live is lived through you by One who can live it to the full. Enjoy! Read more »
How Great is God?
I love spending time being in awe of the Father. It’s too easy in our busy society to forget to reflect. I know this is a little long, but trust me, the pay off is worth it. Thanks to NASA for the clips from Hubble. I’ve just ordered a bunch of royalty-free video clips as I want to start getting back into online video as a ministry tool. If you’re doing this as well, let’s hook up on YouTube Love [...] Read more »
Christmas According to John
I told you in the first post this week that I would let you know my favorite Christmas account. Is it Matthew that tells us Jesus came as our King? I love Matthew’s interest in how prophecy is fulfilled – I don’t understand it all, but I love seeing how he saw prophecy fulfilled. But it’s not my favorite narrative. Is it the lack of a story in Mark? When I was a kid, Dad started a tradition of reading [...] Read more »
Christmas According to Luke
Matthew placed Jesus in Jewish history. Luke places Jesus in world history. He puts it in time – Caesar Augusts taxes the world during the time Quirinuis was governor of Syria . His genealogy ends with Adam. Luke has carefully researched the events around Christ’s birth – and he starts with the events around Jesus’ cousin’s birth – the miraculous birth of John. Luke gives fuller accounts of angels – Matthew talks about angels appearing in dreams (more acceptable to [...] Read more »
Christmas According to Mark
I wonder how many people came to this post with no idea that Mark says nothing about Christmas. I’m sure I snagged a few theologians who think I’m either unschooled or a heretic and are here to see which it is. Yet Mark’s conspicuous absence of a nativity account speaks volumes to us and that’s what I want us to consider today. Why would Mark – that in many ways is so close to its synoptic brothers (Matthew and Luke) [...] Read more »