Trite and True

They’ll know we are Christians by our glad-hands and bling, by our pearly-gate smiles and sermons on tithing; by the size of our church and the rules that we keep (though a suit is a suit, and a goat’s not a sheep). They’ll know we are Christians by the power we bear, by the HOLY…

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Nervous

Yesterday, Trump supporters violently breached our nation’s capitol building.  The authorities have things more or less in hand.  But the thought of a Trump-inspired coup succeeding still makes me nervous.  Historically, revolutions don’t end well for anyone.   Coups aside, I’m nervous about a democrat-run government swinging the pendulum far left in reaction to Trump’s…

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A Mile in Our Shoes

The writer of Hebrews observes that God hasn’t subjected the world to come to angels.  Then he quotes Psalm 8, which marvels at God putting creation under the lordship of humans.  Yet it was not to run of the mill humanity that God subjected creation.  After the fall, people lost their lordship in a way;…

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COVID in Our Stockings

With Christmas happening this week, I found myself thinking about Jesus’s birth.  Caesar Augustus required that everyone travel to their home town for a census.  Rome would update taxation based on this census (and taxes rarely go down).  I imagine the average citizen thought, “You want me to make a long, expensive, dangerous journey so…

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Lord of the Dance

“Lord of the Dance” is a hymn written by Sydney Carter in the 1960s and set to the Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.” I have been unable to get it out of my head. For over a week, this song greets me when I get up and pops in my head throughout the day. Even when…

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Babe of Bethlehem

About 20 years ago, my wife and I became acquainted with the music group, Nowell Sing We Clear. We were immediately struck with the way their lively music focused Christmas on Christ. Truly, they sing nowell clear. “Babe of Bethlehem” is one of their songs I’ve come to love because of its presentation of who…

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Cyprian and Plague

For a number of years, I have subscribed to Christian History magazine. If you enjoy church history and are not acquainted with Christian History magazine, I highly recommend it. Every issue is beautiful and informative. It is one of many ways I connect with Jesus through His people. I have been reading a special issue…

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The Greater Message

The writer of Hebrews warns us to pay even more attention to what we’ve heard so we don’t drift away.  What have we heard?  “God has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb. 1:2).  We must not drift from the Son, God’s message. People were punished for rejecting the message of prophets and angels.  Yet…

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Kingdom Meditations

“My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here” (John 18:36). When Jesus says His kingdom is not of this world, we tend to think of location.  What if Jesus is talking about source, something qualitative?  My kingdom…

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Election Blues

Elections happened in the United States on November 3rd.  Leading up to elections, passions ran high in all political camps.  For some, their candidates won and their hopes were realized.  Others are singing the election blues.  For everyone, the election is over but the angst continues.  Our ideologies are sleepless and are already planning for…

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