I can’t say that I always enjoy taking my dog outside in the cold or in the rain. Okay, I almost never enjoy it, especially when it is raining. But when the night sky is clear, and the stars are bright, as my dog is doing his business out in the yard, I will lookContinue reading “Why and how we humans need to get smaller – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 5”
Tag Archives: Discipleship
The dangerous ideology of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 4
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” That phrase is an American anthem of sorts, pointing to an idea embedded in our history and culture, that we are individuals who have the power and ability to survive and thrive if we just work hard enough. But is this principle true? Even the task described in theContinue reading “The dangerous ideology of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 4″
The difference between healthy and evil pride – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 3
Do an internet search on the word “pride,” and the results will be vast and varied. Think about the ways we use the word “pride.” A group of lions is called a “pride.” There is the phrase, “proud as a peacock.” A famous contemporary usage refers to sexual identity and rights. There is good prideContinue reading “The difference between healthy and evil pride – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 3”
God wants to be known, even by his enemies – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 2
As we learned in the previous post, God has just told Ezekiel to stare. But this stare is different. How is it different? Remember that the Prophetic Stare has no power. It is simply a symbolic gesture through which God shines the light of his truth on something. In that way, this stare is theContinue reading “God wants to be known, even by his enemies – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 2”
The time my new boss made me feel like an arrogant fool – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 1
Before I started pastoral ministry at Faith Church I worked for eight months at my denomination’s seminary in Myerstown. I was the Director of the Annual Fund, meaning that my job was to raise money for the school. On one of my first days on the job, my boss walked me around campus introducing meContinue reading “The time my new boss made me feel like an arrogant fool – Ezekiel 25-28, Part 1”
Why the Seven Deadly Sins are not deadly, but we should still pay attention to them – Ezekiel 25-28, Preview
Have you heard of the Seven Deadly Sins? The title of the list conveys the idea that if you commit those sins, you will die. People believe there is such a list in the Bible called “The Seven Deadly Sins,” but there is no such list in the Bible. While there are numerous lists ofContinue reading “Why the Seven Deadly Sins are not deadly, but we should still pay attention to them – Ezekiel 25-28, Preview”
Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5
This week in Ezekiel chapter 24, we’ve learned at least two important things about God’s heart. First, his desire for holiness, and in particular, how that relates to human sexuality. Second, his desire for us to trust him when it seems he has allowed something terribly unfair in our lives, in particular the death ofContinue reading “Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5”
Did God kill Ezekiel’s wife? – Ezekiel 24, Part 4
Does it sometimes seem like God is unfair? Over the years in my role as pastor, when people lose a loved one, they often not only ask “Why did they have to die?”, but also, “Why did God do this?” They will even ask why God took their loved one if that loved one isContinue reading “Did God kill Ezekiel’s wife? – Ezekiel 24, Part 4”
God’s sexual ethics – Ezekiel 24, Part 3
What is sexually appropriate? There are lots of opinions about the answer to that question. Is there an unbiased outside perspective that can help us answer this question? Those of a Judeo-Christian way of thinking point to the Hebrew and Christian Bible as the authoritative source of understanding God’s heart on the issue. Of course,Continue reading “God’s sexual ethics – Ezekiel 24, Part 3”
The Parable of the Cooking Pot and the abortion debate – Ezekiel 24, Part 2
In recent weeks, the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice debate has once again made national news in the USA. The state of Texas recently passed laws restricting abortion, and the US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about a case, leading some pundits to suggest that the court could topple Roe v Wade. The country hasContinue reading “The Parable of the Cooking Pot and the abortion debate – Ezekiel 24, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 