Take a look at Titus 1:2. There is a repeated word in the original Greek in which Paul wrote, but for some reason the English translations I looked at don’t repeat it. Here is how verse two would look if that word were repeated: “in hope of life eternal, which was promised by God, whoContinue reading “Is eternal life a real thing? Titus 1:1-4, Part 4”
Tag Archives: Discipleship
How to grow your love for God, part 5 (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)
It is apple season, and my family actually has an apple tree in our yard. The few apples that grew on the tree this year just fell down a few days ago. They didn’t fall far from the tree. Is that just an old adage? What do apple trees matter to loving God? Yesterday, inContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 5 (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)”
How all Christians have a responsibility to be priests
Christians, you are all priests! All week long we have been looking at some unusual ways Peter describes Christians’ identity and responsibility. A holy nation, living stones, and now priests! Yesterday we talked about how Christians can understand their identity as priests. Now let’s look at how Peter in 1 Peter 2:4-10 describes as ourContinue reading “How all Christians have a responsibility to be priests”
The cause and cure for spiritually malnourished Christians
Hey there, Christians. Quick question for you: are you spiritually mature? Take a few minutes and think about that. Pause reading the rest of this post, and really try to answer this question. I am concerned that though Peter is very clear in 1 Peter 2:1-3 that we need to crave pure spiritual milk fromContinue reading “The cause and cure for spiritually malnourished Christians”
Why the bizarre Christian teaching to be strangers and fearful actually makes a lot of sense
“Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” I love that phrase. It even rhymes. You know where it is from? It is from the biblical book of 1st Peter, chapter 1 verse 17. I’ve been posting all week about being strangers. You can read the previous posts (here, here and here) to seeContinue reading “Why the bizarre Christian teaching to be strangers and fearful actually makes a lot of sense”
Why being “born again” might not be as crazy as it sounds
It is cringe-worthy. I admit it. Being born again? It just sounds weird, not to mention the baggage associated with “Born Againers” in our society. My guess is that most people don’t know what it means to be born again. Or they believe born-againers are fundamentalistic, and therefore, mean, jugdmental and harsh. But being bornContinue reading “Why being “born again” might not be as crazy as it sounds”
Why I am Going on a Three-month Sabbatical
I started sabbatical January 1st. For the first three months of 2018 I will put my pastoral duties on pause. I have so much gratitude to Faith Church for allowing this, and for facilitating it. Over the last few years, as the church considered and planned for the sabbatical, there have been numerous people inContinue reading “Why I am Going on a Three-month Sabbatical”
How parents and grandparents can bring revival to our land
There’s a scary reality we need to bring up. Though we are studying Deuteronomy, jump ahead to Judges 2:10, which takes place maybe 40-50 years after Deuteronomy. By this time Joshua has taken over for Moses as leader of Israel, guiding Israel as they take possession of the Promised Land and settle down. Then JoshuaContinue reading “How parents and grandparents can bring revival to our land”
Will your life’s work be a waste? (3 Lessons from Moses to make sure it won’t)
Are you investing in people to take over for you? Or will your efforts stop with you? It might be a volunteer position in your church. It might be a job at work. It might be a leadership role in your family or on your sports team. You’ve served and worked and given much ofContinue reading “Will your life’s work be a waste? (3 Lessons from Moses to make sure it won’t)”
Jesus doesn’t want believers, he wants…
Jesus doesn’t want believers? What? Yes, he does. Doesn’t he? Yes, he does. He even said “Believe in me.” Read the Gospel of John and you’ll hear Jesus say that many times. So a couple of years ago the leader of my denomination, Bishop Bruce Hill, made the statement in the title of this post. When IContinue reading “Jesus doesn’t want believers, he wants…”
Engaging Scripture 