Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom through the church. –Ephesians 3:10 What’s not to like about flying? Endless lines. Baggage fees. High ticket prices. Cramped seats. Rude passengers. Canceled flights. Lost luggage. Have I missed anything? Yet, the complaints don’t quite seem …
First of all, when you meet together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it. – 1 Corinthians 11:18 Paul sounds as if he’s surprised there were divisions within the Corinthian church. There are divisions within any church, ancient or modern. People have different backgrounds, ages, expectations, political …
But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 As I reflect on my life, I don’t always like what I see. Mistakes made in choices, conversations, relationships, actions. I look back and ask, “What was I thinking?” I hadn’t awakened one morning and said, “Let’s see how I …
Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples. — Matthew 18:2 It’s easy to go through life without ever thinking about who it is you’re going through it with. Who are you? Why do you say, do, and think the way you do? Why do you surprise yourself in how you …
Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Really? I can think of a million situations where giving thanks is the last thing I want to do. Pandemics. Invasions. Accidents. Death. Prejudice. Discrimination…And we’re just getting warmed up. Yet, Paul is speaking from his …
She put [her baby son Moses] in the basket and set the basket among the reeds at the riverbank. The baby’s older sister stood watch nearby to see what would happen to him. – Exodus 2:3b-4 History shows how evil seems to be genetic in humanity. Just look at Pharaoh, who ordered the killing of male …
Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. – Luke 24:36-37 What an interesting description of how the disciples felt when the risen Jesus suddenly appeared to them in a room: “terrified and afraid.” I’d never thought much about why Luke put …
“In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” – John 16:33 The church I retired from has a magnificent organ. Whenever I looked at its console, I felt I was looking at the cockpit of a 747. It was daunting to a musically inept person such as myself. But our organist had no such qualms. …
While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him. – Luke 24:15 The story of the encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus Road describes clearly the excitement that lies at the heart of discipleship. We start by welcoming the stranger. Two grieving disciples encounter …
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 …