A lot of our disagreements originate from a failure to establish a shared understanding of the words we use. A modern example of this is the word reconciliation. Oh, we’re able to agree on a definition for the word – however you spin it, reconciliation is about bringing together rather than pulling apart – but …
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The Beautiful Bride of Christ
I recently had the privilege to attend a wedding ceremony for some long time friends. During the processional (when the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle, climaxing with the entrance of the bride), I couldn’t help but think about words our pastor has spoken many times before. Having officiated many weddings through the years, …
Active vs. Passive Revival
Question: How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but ninety-nine to stand around and say “I could do that”. That’s one of the silly jokes I learned back in music college, and I think of it every time I come across Matthew 14:22-33. You’ll recognize the scene. …
This, That and the Other
Sometimes this is about this. Sometimes this is really about that or the other. But sometimes, it’s actually about this, that AND the other. Aside from the events of the Passion narrative, it’s incredibly rare to find an occasion where all four gospel writers covered the same event. One of these occasions is the familiar …
The Fragrance of Worship
Have you ever smelled a high-quality perfume? I’ve had and worn many different colognes over the years, but only just recently learned that there is a difference between cologne and perfume. It’s not that one is masculine and one is feminine, but rather it is a designation of quality. There are other designations as …
A Song of Thanksgiving
Many of the Psalms include the invitation to give thanks, or praise God. In honor of our Thanksgiving holiday, let’s take a brief look at a couple of the lessons we can learn from the Psalms with regard to the “how” and “why” of thanksgiving. Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; …
Brain Train
Many of us are altogether too good at compartmentalizing the various aspects of our lives, and as a result we can find ourselves lacking integrity (from the root “integer”, which refers to whole numbers). I’m not making a moral assessment or judgement when I refer to integrity, so please don’t receive the wrong message. Integrity …
Common Unity
Ever since the Fall, people have found it much easier to identify and focus on what makes us different rather than on what makes us the same. Nationality, race, age, gender, ethnicity, experience – these are standard inclusions on most job applications, surveys and tax returns. Although these classifications do tell a small bit of …
God Cares About Our Bodies Too
This probably doesn’t make the list for the top ten most profound statements you’ve ever heard, but God cares about your body too. It seems as though we in the Church today have allowed the culture around us to influence us into a compartmentalized mode of thinking wherein we not only allow, but even seek …
Thrive as You
One of the most famous and familiar of Jesus’ parables is The Sower and the Seeds. Popular for good reason, this parable offers significant insights regarding the nature of God, His Word, and our own selves. Parables were a common teaching tool for Rabbi’s, but the settings often revolved around palaces, making Jesus’ often agrarian …
Just for a Closer Walk 