Recently, a friend sent me an article which criticized a high profile church. Some of the church’s current and former members are celebrities. The former celebrity members were interviewed in this bit of “investigative journalism.” (I use quotes because this was for some online rag. Not exactly Woodward and Bernstein). Those interviewed complained that the…
Category: The cross
Struggling and Prevailing (Part 2)
Please read part one before continuing… Jacob named the place he wrestled with God, “Face of God,” adding that he saw God’s face and was delivered (Gen. 32:30). In a sense, seeing God’s face and dislocating his hip were of a piece. Said another way, Jacob’s hip was dislocated because he saw God’s face. We…
Struggling and Prevailing (Part 1)
In fear of meeting his brother, Esau, Jacob sent his family away. That night, alone, he wrestled with a man until daybreak (Gen. 32:24-32). The man touched Jacob’s thigh at the hip and put it out of joint. He told Jacob to release him but Jacob refused, saying he wanted a blessing. The man told…
The Person of the Tree of Life
A friend of mine, Cameron Fultz, has been translating the book of Revelation. A month or more ago, he read his translation of Revelation four to a group of friends. What follows are verses two and three of chapter four. I had never before considered John’s vision in the light of Cameron’s translation. It is,…
Parting Ways
As Jacob increased in wealth, he came into conflict with Laban (Gen. 31:1-2). We’ve seen that Jacob’s increase was the increase of what is spiritual and that this leads to escalating conflict with what is fallen and fleshly. God doesn’t let this conflict go on indefinitely. God told Jacob to leave Laban. He brought separation…
Batting Cleanup
I’m delighted that God forgives me. The fact that the blood of Jesus cleanses every sin is precious (1 John 1:7). That said, sometimes I feel like a sin factory. Even if I apply the blood of Jesus 70 times seven times a day, it gets discouraging. In fact, it gets worse than discouraging. It…
The Most High Priest
Moses said to Aaron, “Sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” Aaron then brought the offering that was for the people. As they led him away, a large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Then he lifted…
Four Wills of the Cross…and Other News
Recently, I decided to take a blogging break. It’s been awhile. So for a few weeks, I won’t be posting. It’s been kind of busy lately, and I haven’t had as much time. Plus, I’ve dusted off some old projects that I’d like to give more focus. Hence the blogging break. In the meantime, I’d…
Crosshairs
In the wake of the school shooting in Florida, social media is flooded (again) with memes, posts, articles, and factoids for or against guns. Personally, I see guns as one of many social scapegoats. A gun is a neutral thing, not intrinsically good or bad. It can only be as good or bad as the…
Following, Losing, and Living
Art by Patrick Murphy The following is a meditation on Luke 9:23-24 from my personal journal. *** “If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will…
