This article is not new and I’m not exactly sure why I came across it this week. It’s a reminder that the world’s idea of success and failure, winning and losing, are often not the same as God’s. Jesus provided us with many examples of how things should look when done correctly. Read more here.
Continue reading
Sometimes I look at the banner at the top of the page and wonder if first time visitors are confused by the tagline “God honoring, Christ centered.” I used to write two or three long form blog posts each week. Back then we served in a ministry that was geographically isolated. Today I pastor a small SBC church and all that that entails. I keep letting people appoint me to leadership positions in things. And we have a middle schooler that joins things and needs carried places. Each and every item entry, if you dissect a Satur-deju Vu or Happy Monday post, may not be directly related to sharing the Gospel in some way. But taken on the whole each post is meant to enrich and inform the Christian believer. Happy Monday always has verses of scripture and inspiring or informative quotes, at least one of those quotes from a recognizable Christian leader. The Satur-deja Vu posts are about the intersection of faith and real life. Some days are a struggle and I hope the things I write and share are able to help someone along. We are about wrap up Holy Week and celebrate Easter Sunday tomorrow. Some days make it real easy to walk the Christian path. Some days are rough and for some those turn into rough seasons. In the upper left-hand corner are links to sermons. They are steeped in scripture. Sometimes you need something else. An encouraging word, a laugh a smile, or just the knowledge that others are in the same boat. A single website cannot be all things to all people. But if I write a post on the empty tomb or share a pic of a dog wearing sunglasses and a hat that makes your day, then maybe that post was just for you.
Continue reading
Here’s a Christmas card that I like. Some Christians struggle with the idea of sending secular cards with Santa Claus, snowmen or winter scenes on them. The religious cards may have a nativity scene or wisemen following the star to Bethlehem but are wildly inaccurate based on a careful study of the text. Christmas Card Theology is a post from all the way back in 2009. Rethinking the Angel Choir and Rethinking the Wise Men are better written with scripture references included. Those posts are ancient by internet standards but we’re talking about the Bible here.
Continue reading
This goes under the heading of trivia question theology. It was discussed in a Facebook group that I am part of. My answer is that when Jesus appears in the upper room to his Apostles, and later to Thomas in particular, he has been resurrected and appears in his glorified body. He can do things like appear and disappear in rooms with all the doors and windows closed. He instantly disappeared from their sight once the men on the road to Emmaus recognized who he was. He showed Thomas the nail prints in his hands and let him feel the wound in his side. Why would Jesus have these wounds after his resurrection? While I believe that there will be no sickness or death in heaven, and that we will be healed of all infirmities, our identity is hid in Christ and his redemptive work is very much tied tied to his death on the cross. Calvary is the point where heaven touches earth. His wounds may be visible for this reason; they are a major part of his story. Those marks define the crucified savior, the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. My reasoning for the wounds being visible may be speculative but the fact that we see Jesus with them after the resurrection is firmly based on the Gospel accounts.
Continue reading
During the incarnation Jesus walked the earth robed in flesh. He ate food when he was hungry, drank water when he was thirsty, he experience physical and emotional pain because like us he lived in a body of flesh and blood. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. -Hebrews 4:15
Continue reading
The Master's Table 