What do you do when you feel the anxiety and the pain and the stress of condemnation from people? Other people can sure be condemning, can’t they? Maybe you have a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate that is like that. They might even be a church member, someone you would call a friend,Continue reading “Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2”
Monthly Archives: April 2022
Hope for the separated? – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 1
What do you think of when you hear the word “Separation”? Separation is a word that describes the feelings of so many in our world today. Often when we think of the concept of separation, I suspect we are mostly thinking about a relational separation. People who were once close are now separated. At holidaysContinue reading “Hope for the separated? – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 1”
Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview
I just walked back in to my office at our church building, because I was outside changing the message on the church sign. It had previously advertised our Maundy Thursday service, and now the new message asks, “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? Let’s talk about that.” How would you answer thatContinue reading “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview”
How God’s Kingdom overturns injustice – Mark 11, Part 5
In the previous post, we learned that, just as the crowds proclaimed on the first Sunday when they shouted, “Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David,” Jesus brings the Kingdom of God in our lives. But God’s Kingdom is not just within people, it is also within cultures and societies. Yes, God wantsContinue reading “How God’s Kingdom overturns injustice – Mark 11, Part 5”
The Kingdom of God is within you – Mark 11, Part 4
What is the Kingdom of God? Jesus himself taught about it, almost from the very beginning of his ministry. As we continue studying the events of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry on the very first Palm Sunday, we’ve been following Mark’s account in Mark 11. Mark tells us that the people in the crowd, as Jesus rodeContinue reading “The Kingdom of God is within you – Mark 11, Part 4”
The surprising way Jesus fulfilled prophecy on Palm Sunday – Mark 11, Part 3
Jesus was the Messiah, but he was not the Messiah the Jews were looking for. When the Jews interpreted messianic passages like Psalm 118, which they quoted on the original Palm Sunday, they concluded that the Messiah was going to be a king of the line of the great king David. This new king wouldContinue reading “The surprising way Jesus fulfilled prophecy on Palm Sunday – Mark 11, Part 3”
Jesus was and was not the Messiah? – Mark 11, Part 2
How does my experiment with the American flag relate to Palm Sunday? You can read about that experiment in the previous post. As we begin to answer that question, turn with me to Mark 11, and read the story of the first Palm Sunday. We are studying Mark’s account of the story of Jesus’ TriumphalContinue reading “Jesus was and was not the Messiah? – Mark 11, Part 2”
My American flag experiment – Mark 11, Part 1
I did a little experiment this past fall. It was a sociological and theological experiment. At first, I didn’t tell anyone about this experiment. Not even my wife. I knew that if I told her, the experiment would be shut down fast. To introduce the experiment, I have a question for you. How many of youContinue reading “My American flag experiment – Mark 11, Part 1”
What’s so special about Palm Sunday? – Mark 11, Preview
We observe Palm Sunday every year, but did you ever wonder why? I get why we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and of course his death and resurrection. Those are, by far, the three most momentous events in his life. But why Palm Sunday? It’s not nearly as important as Christmas and Easter, right? WhyContinue reading “What’s so special about Palm Sunday? – Mark 11, Preview”
Worship: Cry Out Together – Psalm 77, Part 5
This week I welcome guest blogger, Clint Watkins, as he shares with us how his personal experience of loss and pain led him to learn how to seize hope through lament. If you want to learn more about Clint, please visit his website. As we conclude our study of Psalm 77, did you notice thatContinue reading “Worship: Cry Out Together – Psalm 77, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 