Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
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After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven?…” (Acts 1:9-11a) …
As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?” – Mark 10:17 This famous passage of a rich man asking Jesus about eternal life is found in Matthew and Luke as well. Mark’s version, though, adds a couple of …
And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” – Luke 3:22 When the Father blessed Jesus at his baptism with these words, I knew I’d heard them before. It was when my little boy, while we were walking, put his small hand in …
Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. – Matthew 23:5a Taking selfies challenges me. I struggle making sure the camera is facing the right way while looking up into it because I’ve been told that’s the best angle. Regardless, my selfies usually look as if I’m wondering if I’m taking the shot …
If I said, “The darkness will definitely hide me; the light will become night around me,” even then the darkness isn’t too dark for you…because darkness is the same as light to you! – Psalm 139:11-12 The default setting on the dial of my soul is getting out of dark times as quickly as possible. …
Jesus began to cry. – John 11:35 It’s the strangest thing. I find myself tearing up more as I grow older. It’s not sentimental crying, like I always do at the end of Field of Dreams (“Hey Dad—wanna play catch?”). No, the tears today come out of nowhere and catch me by surprise. This morning …
Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 During a Thanksgiving Eve service, I played a video titled, “The Thanksgiving Chair.” It’s a short clip (you can find it here on YouTube) where a man, in varying scenes, stops to sit in a chair and express …
Once you have collected the food and drink you need, perform the Festival of Booths for seven days. Celebrate your festival: you, your sons, your daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites, the immigrants, the orphans, and the widows who live in your cities. – Deuteronomy 16:13-14 There are three main Jewish festivals outlined in …
Sometimes I mistake wishful thinking for Christian hope. I like to believe that the world is incrementally inching down a path leading to the kingdom values Jesus talked about. Becoming more aware of issues, confronting injustice in varying forms, advocating for climate stewardship: all these things, aided by technology and instant communication, are hopeful. Then …
A dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When he saw her, the Lord had compassion for her and said, “Don’t cry.” – Luke 7:12b-13 The times that made me question my pastoral calling were when people faced …