If God came to you saying “I’ll give you anything,” what would you ask for? In our study of prophecies of the Messiah from Isaiah, we come to Isaiah 7, and God does something that highly unusual. In Isaiah 7:10-12, God gives the Judean King Ahaz the opportunity to request a sign. And not justContinue reading “If you God gave you one wish… (or what to do when you feel God is distant)”
Tag Archives: advent
Church signs and a God who can feel very distant
How do you feel about the messages that churches place on signs? Just google “stupid church signs” and get ready for a groan fest. On second thought, don’t google that. If you already did, I’m sorry for even suggesting it. I just spend ten minutes looking at them, and I wish I hadn’t. As youContinue reading “Church signs and a God who can feel very distant”
Feeling low this Christmas?
Fear. Sadness. Longing. Disappointment. Loneliness. Are you feeling any of these emotions lately? It seems like the world can be a dark place. Even at this most joyous time of the year, we can feel low. As we look around our lives, our culture, and our planet, we can have a distinct impression that thingsContinue reading “Feeling low this Christmas?”
Life’s not fair, and Jesus is not at all OK with that
Do you ever feel like the world is not fair? Think about it. There are the powerful and the powerless. The predator and the prey. The lion and the mouse. This clip illustrates not just the lack of fairness in the animal kingdom, but the disadvantage in our society as well. Those born into privilegeContinue reading “Life’s not fair, and Jesus is not at all OK with that”
Turning guns into plows – Just a future vision? Or possible now too?
A vision of the mountain of God! We’re studying prophecy during Advent 2016, and week 1 takes us to Isaiah 2:1-5, a glorious image of events in the last days. The temple mount is in Jerusalem, and it is not all that high. When you think of tall mountains around the world, you don’t thinkContinue reading “Turning guns into plows – Just a future vision? Or possible now too?”
Why Faith Church Observes the Season of Advent
The angels said to the shepherds “peace on earth, goodwill to men” that night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But many of us do not feel like Christmastime is peaceful or filled with goodwill. In fact many of us are afraid that we will have what Elvis Presley sang about, “A Blue Christmas”. Or weContinue reading “Why Faith Church Observes the Season of Advent”
On shouting a Christmas message that can get you killed – Luke 2:1-20
It’s Christmas Eve! My younger kids (age 9 and 11) are charged with excitement, begging to open just one gift, or at least put them under the tree. They cannot contain themselves. At Faith Church we’re looking forward to a wonderful time of worship tonight. We’ve had artists from our congregation creating art to illustrateContinue reading “On shouting a Christmas message that can get you killed – Luke 2:1-20”
Why telling the Nativity Story could get you killed
The Nativity. A familiar story. Very familiar. Too familiar? When we think about the Nativity story, about the birth of Jesus, we often play music in our heads to the tune of Silent Night, Holy Night. Where all is calm, and all is bright. Or perhaps for you the song is Away in a MangerContinue reading “Why telling the Nativity Story could get you killed”
Pool Noodle, Plate of Cookies, Card Table – The Monday Messy Office Report – 12/15/14
My office is tidy Friday, mysteriously messy on Monday. Here’s what I found today: 1. Card Table – Truth be told, I put it there. A family in the church borrowed it, and after worship yesterday, they returned it. They gave it to me in the parking lot, and I decided to leave it forContinue reading “Pool Noodle, Plate of Cookies, Card Table – The Monday Messy Office Report – 12/15/14”
What we all need
It’s what the family that just lost a loved one needs. It’s what the single mom needs. It’s what the young man who just made a really bad choice needs. It’s what we all need. What do we need? It’s what I need and what you need. On your worst days you want it badly.Continue reading “What we all need”
Engaging Scripture 