Brazilian billionaire pastor, Edir Macedo, built a church designed to look like Solomon’s temple. See the picture above. You can read more about it here. It has a sanctuary for worship, a museum, and a helipad for Macedo’s convenience. I wonder what it would be like tour that building? How similar or different is itContinue reading “A billionaire pastor’s replica of Solomon’s temple, and God’s unsettling tour of the original – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 2”
Tag Archives: Christian
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”
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”
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”
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”
Yellow cap Coke and Ezekiel’s bizarre prophetic skit – Ezekiel 4 & 5, Part 2
Have you ever seen Coke bottles with yellow caps? Know what that means? The yellow caps indicate that the Coke has been made using a slightly different recipe. All Coke is Kosher, but yellow cap Coke is even more Kosher. Kosher? Jews have special dietary laws, called Kosher laws. Food qualified as Kosher is approvedContinue reading “Yellow cap Coke and Ezekiel’s bizarre prophetic skit – Ezekiel 4 & 5, Part 2”
A powerful lesson about success from the SNL Prophet – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 5
Remember how I told you that Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry is not going to be what we typically think of prophetic ministry? Instead of preaching to crowds of adoring people, Ezekiel will often perform dramas or sign acts, like skits. He is the Saturday Night Live of prophets. In our final post in this five-part seriesContinue reading “A powerful lesson about success from the SNL Prophet – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 5”
God’s Spirit is alive and well – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 4
God’s Spirit is alive and well! God’s Spirit is at work in the world and in our lives. Do you agree? Do you wish God’s Spirit was more…well…real? Do you ever wonder or doubt? If so, you’re not alone. In this post, I hope you find some encouragement in the Spirit’s activity in the lifeContinue reading “God’s Spirit is alive and well – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 4”
A watchman must first hear from God – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 2
Have you heard of the Whispering Gallery in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London? Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the cathedral includes a gallery 30 meters above the floor, under the large dome. Even when the gallery is crowded, when a person places their cheek again the wall and whispers, if there is another person leaningContinue reading “A watchman must first hear from God – Ezekiel 3:16-27, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 