Early on in conversations about my upcoming ordination, my wife accidentally referred to the day as my "coronation."
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Theology
There's a lie that most Christians have been taught - either blatantly or indirectly. The lie that many of us have taught and many of us believe is that grace is the work of God that gets us in, but our own work is what changes us.
There's this scene in Exodus when Moses notices a bush that is on fire and it isn't burning up. So Moses walks up to the bush to find out what is going on and if the fact that the bush wasn't burning up wasn't enough, the bush starts talking.
The pure, undiluted message of the Gospel is intoxicating. Grace is the unmerited favor of God for corrupted, broken sinners. The death and resurrection of Jesus meets sinners where they are and offers life, forgiveness, and salvation.
In the coming weeks, months, and year, I have a variety of new projects that I have in the works that I want to update you on. I’m super excited about the potential of these and want to make sure you’re in the loop.
Theology is primarily seen as the activity of professors and pastors, and occasionally a world that is entered into by normal people on Sunday mornings. But theology isn’t primarily an academic exercise and theology isn’t primarily about Sunday mornings. Good theology matters on Monday morning.
Our culture is enamored with the next big thing. And I know that I’m no exception. I’ve stood in my fair share of lines for the newest iPhone, have spent time reading blogs for rumors of the latest technological advances, and have contemplated how to upgrade an old device for a newer, slightly faster version.
There’s this odd conversation that Jesus has in John 16 in which Jesus encourages the disciples as he talks about the work of the Holy Spirit. What makes this so odd, is what we understand about the life of the disciples for the past three years.
What do you do when you’re a leader and you have nothing left to give?
What happens when you are the pastor, the parent, or the friend who has hit a season where you are frustrated, burnt out, and ready to give up?
Referencing the great presidential scandal of 1998, Monica Lewinsky said, “I was Patient Zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously.” It has taken her over a decade to speak publicly about what has happened and what she experienced.
Over the past month or so my family has been in the midst of a transition. About a month ago we got keys to our house and for the past several weeks, we have been doing project after project trying to prepare the house for us to live in.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has a loaded, profound statement when he says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
In 1985 the Coca-Cola Company introduced a new formula for their flagship soda. Perhaps this may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind I’m not talking about adding a new product like Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, or Vanilla Coke.
There is one question that has the potential to bring more harm to our relationships than any other.
“What’s in it for me?” Without even thinking, our natural bent is so often apt to ask this question. We are constantly looking out for our own benefit. Perhaps you’ve experienced a conflict in your home or with a coworker or classmate; how would that conflict be different if nobody asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Who was the worst sinner of all time?
If we create a list of historically significant sinners, I have a feeling our list would be filled with people like Stalin and Hitler. We’d fill our list with the figures behind mass murders, bombings, terrorism, or serial killing. And rightfully so, when it comes to the atrocities of the evil that these people committed, it is unparalleled.