When I refer to the shadow side of the Great American Lawn, I don’t mean the grass that is growing in the shade of a tree. When I say “shadow side,” I’m referring to the possibility that lawns of grass might not always be a good thing. Who gets to decide that freshly clipped grassContinue reading “Throwing light on the shadow side of lawn care – Current Events: A Theology of Lawn Care, Part 5”
Tag Archives: idolatry
Examining the acts of the sinful nature – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 4
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some examples of what he calls “the acts of the sinful nature.” It is not a comprehensive list, as that could potentially fill multiple volumes. Instead Paul mentions a dozen or so examples to illustrate how all humans have a sinful nature. In this post we’ll examine his list. I’mContinue reading “Examining the acts of the sinful nature – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 4”
God’s surprising history lesson – Ezekiel 20, Part 1
Editor’s Note: Thanks to guest blogger David Hundert for continuing the Ezekiel series this week. I want to talk with you about “teachable moments.” What are teachable moments? Teachable moments are an event or experience which gives a good opportunity to learn something about life. Now, at the this time, because Joel isn’t blogging, I’mContinue reading “God’s surprising history lesson – Ezekiel 20, Part 1”
God’s surprising response to idolatry in the heart – Ezekiel 14, Part 2
Have you had a person in your life who screws you over, hurts you, chooses to barely ever talk to you, and yet when they need money, they are so bold to come ask for your help? They haven’t had anything like a good relationship with you for a long time, and suddenly they appearContinue reading “God’s surprising response to idolatry in the heart – Ezekiel 14, Part 2”
Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1
What do you long for? What do you desire? A relationship? Debts paid off? A big enough savings account so you’re not living paycheck to paycheck? A new car? New house? A different personality? Different looks? Good health? Healing? Success? Athletic ability? Artistic ability? A raise? What do you long for? We all have desire. Continue reading “Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1”
Are You Gaslighting God? – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 4
Friends of mine have been struggling with a family member who is accusing my friends of not loving the family member. (I’m purposefully avoided gendered pronouns to preserve confidentiality.) What you need to know is that my friends’ family member committed adultery, thus damaging a relationship with another member of the family. That act ofContinue reading “Are You Gaslighting God? – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 4”
Hope in the middle of a nightmare – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 3
I am person who dreams almost every night during sleep. How about you? Over the years I’ve had some freakish nightmares. Sometimes they are recurring, going night after night. Others will be one-off dreams that never recur. I also have settings like the home we lived in years ago, or my church’s building, or theContinue reading “Hope in the middle of a nightmare – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 3”
God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5
We conclude this five-part series studying Ezekiel 7 with the final element of the antidote to economic idolatry, as taught by John Wesley: “Give all you can.” If you are earning, and if you saving, as we learned in the previous post, you will have the ability to give generously. Living simply and practicing generosityContinue reading “God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5”
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”
Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1
Economists look back over the last year or so reporting that, in addition to Covid, it has been a unique financial year in other ways. For example, have you heard of Doge Coin? It is a cryptocurrency, a digital form of money, which I don’t have the time or knowledge to try to explain. ThereContinue reading “Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1”
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