A call to a new Reformation in the teaching and life of Jesus' followers
Several years ago I made an observation which led to a question: “Why don’t Christians stand out in culture?” My observation was that so many Christians, particularly in the US, blend in with everyone else. With that observation in mind Matthew 7:13-14 when Jesus states that “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, … Continue reading The Way is Narrow
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…
If you are like me there was a time you would have answered “get saved and go to heaven.” That, for me, was what I believed the central message of the bible, Jesus, and his Kingdom to be. I honestly thought my job after I “got saved” was to wait for death or the rapture and hopefully save some other souls along the way. If … Continue reading The Bible is an Invitation To….
Over the last year or so i’ve been experimenting with the different spirtiual disciplines. Practicing the Sabbath has been one of three that I have found to be an amazing addition to my life. The other two are fixed hour prayer and silence / solitude, which I will write about at a later time. The book that I was turned on to as one of … Continue reading Why You Should Practice Sabbath
For over 15 years I had been deeply involved in one particular faith based institution. I had given a great deal of time and energy to do everything I could to inspire people to follow Jesus more fully and completely with every aspect of their existence. The last few years of my involvement in this church I had been doing some teaching at the many … Continue reading Are Theology Debates about Fear or Faith?
This Monday, May 30th, is Memorial Day in the United States. On this holiday, Americans remember those who have perished in the military service of the nation. Readers of this blog already know that I am convinced that service in any nation’s military is incompatible with the call of Jesus Christ. But as Ronald Sider said so powerfully in 1984, just because followers of Christ … Continue reading Remember the fallen
I encourage you to pop over to my friend Kurt Willems’ blog and read his post If You’re Reading This Post, You’ve Been “Left Behind.” Kurt does a beautiful job of casting what our role must be in the current “Tribulation” of this world. Borrowing nearly every catchphrase of an eschatology neither one of us can stand, he’s got a masterful call to live as … Continue reading For all of you who’ve been "Left Behind"
I just learned of a fellow who goes to my folks’ church in North Carolina, who has written some interesting stuff on the flag in church, the Kingdom of God, and related topics. I encourage you to take a look at his site, www.kingdomofgodflag.info. In particular, I was intrigued by this comment in his post on “Patriotism:” When people say “Freedom isn’t Free,” what they’re … Continue reading Recommended reading on nationalism and peace
Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! A joyous Easter to each of you. This is the day when we celebrate Jesus’ victory over the powers and their grip on the world, for in raising Jesus from the dead, the Father achieved victory over the ultimate weapon of evil – death and our fear of death. I was thinking this morning in church. . .we often look … Continue reading He is Risen, He has Conquered, He Rules!
One aspect of the Kingdom of God that we often misunderstand, is that this Kingdom is at war. The Genesis creation story teaches us that God originally created the cosmos as his own domain, and specifically on Earth, he placed his image-bearers as viceroys–rulers in his stead–and stewards of that domain. However, a deceitful enemy tempted humans to disobey their creator, and through a process … Continue reading The Kingdom of Jesus Christ – Rebels Wanted!