Thoughts, Prayers, and Comments
I am writing with our current political circumstances in mind, the day before a new President takes office in the U.S. He will do so in a nation deeply divided over Presidential politics. Many Christ following persons hold extreme opposite views from those of other brothers and sisters in Christ. Here’s how extreme: some feel …
Continue reading “A Modest Proposal for Christ Followers on Inauguration Day”
Do we want the whole gospel? Or will we pick and choose gospel-elements that seem most helpful or pertinent to us? Will we settle for less than the Messiah Jesus intended in his life, death and resurrection? Or will we, by grace, pursue and expect a new way of living as human beings that requires …
Imagine that you, a loved one, or a friend were stricken with the COVID-19 virus. Then, imagine a politician asserting that it would be the lesser of two evils to suspend the social practices now curbing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives than to maintain such practices and further threaten the economy. That is: …
Continue reading “Extreme Alternatives or Doubling Down Discipleship”
We are in the season of Lent, made sacred by Jesus’ urgent invitation: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I confess my need of Lent—that time of the year when the mind’s eye and the heart’s ear give acute …
What kind of a kingdom begins with Lent? Well, a good and godly one. In fact, the gospel story begins with Jesus announcing the presence of God’s kingdom, and then proposing our proper response in “Lenten terms.” “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent …
