Sometimes I listen with such intensity to music and voices and sundry sounds that I can’t hear my life. What is my life saying and singing and sounding? Frederich Buechner suggests that muting the noise pollution from time to time is critical to hearing my life. “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless …
Sure doesn’t resonate with the soul, “He is an undisciplined Jesus follower.” God’s spectacular gift of grace is often lived out as the removal of all faithful discipline and effort on the part of grace’s recipient. Yes, God’s grace is an expensive, valuable, and luxurious gift given from His heart of love and mercy to …
Christianity isn’t Discipline – Christianity has it’s Disciplines Read More »
We approach the wretchedness of crucifixion with rejoicing anticipation. At the cross of Jesus we experience the many and varied deaths of this life and lift up our heads and look up with joyous anticipation. Luke 21:28 The Holy Forty Martyrs exemplify the fact that the poor in spirit followers of Jesus live with unwavering …
Praying and fasting with Jesus during Lent brings me face to face with a more accurate awareness of the condition of my inner person. I should always be mature and self aware yet I often lose insight and fail to understand my own heart. Christian self awareness is a bit of an oxymoron because the …
What determines if the call at the home plate of my life is “safe” or “out?” The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, reveals the Christian’s umpire at home plate is Messiah’s peace. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Colossians 3:15 My heart’s umpire is the peace of Christ. Everything that passes …
First I read the narratives of Jesus. Then they read me. There is a man who from his birth has been blind. They wanted reason. Jesus provided solution. The blind guy sees and the seeing guys realize they are blind. John 9:1-12 reads me perfectly. I am blind. Blind to the blind guy. Blind to …
“Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” This thought provoking sentence may seem a bit too macabre and dark for a follower of Jesus who claims of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” However, hundreds of millions of Christians submit to this reflection each Ash …
Fasting, disengaged from justice, isn’t true religion. God pleasing fasting is to be accompanied by specific actions of righteousness (Isaiah 58). Loose the bonds of wickedness To undo the straps of the yoke To let the oppressed go free To break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry And bring …
“Hold God to His word. He promised healing and by faith you must remind God of His promise to heal. Claim His promises now.” I remember feeling uncomfortable as this idea was being stated by various fiery and frothing preachers. My lack of comfort also extended to the often stated claim, “God’s New Covenant obligates …
Pin. Takedown. Tap out. Throw in the towel. No, I wasn’t in a fighting ring, I was in prayer at our Solemn Assembly and Day of Public Repentance. Several ideas in the Isaiah 58 reading JUMPED out and gave me the eight count. Isaiah asks “What is fasting that pleases the Lord?” Is it not …