Is this the strangest (and most interesting) verse in the Bible? – Ezekiel 8, 9, & 10, Preview

I would like to introduce you to what I consider to be one of the strangest (and maybe most interesting!) verses in the Bible.  Ezekiel 8:3, “He [the glowing metal fire creature] stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head.  The Spirit lifted me up between earthContinue reading “Is this the strangest (and most interesting) verse in the Bible? – Ezekiel 8, 9, & 10, Preview”

God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5

We conclude this five-part series studying Ezekiel 7 with the final element of the antidote to economic idolatry, as taught by John Wesley: “Give all you can.”  If you are earning, and if you saving, as we learned in the previous post, you will have the ability to give generously.  Living simply and practicing generosityContinue reading “God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5”

The surprising antidote to economic idolatry – Ezekiel 7, Part 4

What is the antidote to economic idolatry? Sometimes I think to myself, “I hate money.” What I mean is that it can seem like life is one long travail of trying earn money. Do you ever long for financial independence, so that you don’t have to think about whether or not you have enough money?Continue reading “The surprising antidote to economic idolatry – Ezekiel 7, Part 4”

When money is worthless – Ezekiel 7, Part 3

My wife, Michelle, and I recently celebrated our 25th anniversary by going out for dinner. As a bonus, we had a gift card!  We made a reservation, arrived a few minutes early, and sat down in the lobby, waiting for the hostess to call us for our table.  I pulled out my phone to checkContinue reading “When money is worthless – Ezekiel 7, Part 3”

Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2

Have you ever experienced the frustration of loving someone who isn’t loving you back? It is a common human relational reality. Spouses that are scorned or betrayed. Kids neglecting their parents, and parents neglecting their kids. Friends that don’t care when you are struggling. Have you ever considered that God might feel like that? InContinue reading “Is God a frustrated lover? – Ezekiel 7, Part 2”

Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1

Economists look back over the last year or so reporting that, in addition to Covid, it has been a unique financial year in other ways. For example, have you heard of Doge Coin?  It is a cryptocurrency, a digital form of money, which I don’t have the time or knowledge to try to explain.  ThereContinue reading “Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1”

Are we living in the end times? – Ezekiel 7, Preview

The end is near!!! Encouraging start to this post, huh?  But have you wondered if the end actually is near?  Have you looked at our world situation, our national situation and wondered if we can last much longer?  If you have, you’re not alone.  I’ve heard people speculate about it a lot lately, especially givenContinue reading “Are we living in the end times? – Ezekiel 7, Preview”

How to have the right kind of worship service – Ezekiel 6, Part 5

I’ve heard a variety of opinions about Faith Church’s worship service over the years. Maybe you’ve heard similar sentiments about your church’s worship.  “We should be more liturgical.”  “We should be more traditional.”  “We should be more contemporary.”  “We should be more professional…” including the suggestion that we hire instrumentalists.  Lot of opinions. Often theyContinue reading “How to have the right kind of worship service – Ezekiel 6, Part 5”

How Christian worship can become idolatry – Ezekiel 6, Part 4

“That’s not worship!” The person saying this to me was sitting across the table from me, while we were having a worship meeting in our church conference room. The person was a long-time member of the church, and they were upset. We had been experimenting with worship, and they declared that one of the experimentsContinue reading “How Christian worship can become idolatry – Ezekiel 6, Part 4”

Is God trying to get your attention? – Ezekiel 6, Part 3

If God were trying to get your attention, how do you think he would do so? Often when we go through a difficult time, we wonder if God is trying to get our attention. But think about what you know of God’s heart. Does it sound like him to zap you with hardship, when heContinue reading “Is God trying to get your attention? – Ezekiel 6, Part 3”