Churches should be purple! What is a purple church? In the previous post, we learned that a purple church is not colorblind. We have been studying the purple church, as Paul describes it in Galatians 3:26-28. The next phrase Paul uses to describe the purple church is that it is neither slave nor free. SlaveryContinue reading “A Purple Church does not have class or gender preferences – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 3”
Tag Archives: Jesus
A Purple Church is NOT colorblind – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 2
Have you heard that phrase? “We should be colorblind!” People suggest, when it comes to ethnicity, being colorblind is what is desirable. Just see the person, not their skin color, right? It sounds good, but I have three colorblind sons, each with varying degrees of colorblindness, and I can tell you that visual colorblindness meansContinue reading “A Purple Church is NOT colorblind – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 2”
Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1
This past November 2020, I preached one of my quarterly current events sermons right before the election. Earlier in the year, as I was planning the preaching schedule, it seemed wise to have a current events sermon the Sunday prior to what was shaping up to be a major political event. Of course, any presidentialContinue reading “Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1”
How to change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (and help others do the same) – Ezekiel 11, Part 5
Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Hundert who is our guest blogger this week, continuing our series through Ezekiel. Think about your heart. Not your actual blood pumper…but your inner being. Would you say you have a heart of stone or a heart of flesh? Do you feel somewhat cold or dead inside? Is there hopeContinue reading “How to change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (and help others do the same) – Ezekiel 11, Part 5”
How to overcome a false sense of security – Ezekiel 11, Part 3
Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Hundert who is our guest blogger this week, continuing our series through Ezekiel. In Ezekiel, the leaders are at it again! Thinking that God is slow in responding to their need, they are worshiping at the altar of their own idols. They have traded the true God for a godContinue reading “How to overcome a false sense of security – Ezekiel 11, Part 3”
When leaders turn their backs on God – Ezekiel 11, Part 2
Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Hundert who is our guest blogger this week, continuing our series through Ezekiel. Do you find it difficult to trust in God? If so, you’re not alone. People of all shapes and sizes can find it difficult to trust in God. Leaders struggle with this just as much as non-leaders.Continue reading “When leaders turn their backs on God – Ezekiel 11, Part 2”
How to move from selfish blame to loving grief – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 5
Blame. As we saw in the previous post, we can be especially quick to blame God for difficulties in life, even when we face consequences of our own decisions. Or consider that when a loved one passes away, including passing away of old age, we can bitterly question, “God, how could you let this happen?”Continue reading “How to move from selfish blame to loving grief – Ezekiel 8, 9 and 10, Part 5”
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”
Eeyore, Virtual Reality, the Billionaire Space Race and the Holy Spirit – Ezekiel 8, 9, & 10, Part 1
Do you have an Eeyore in your family? Maybe you are the Eeyore! You know the person who is sigher, moaner and groaner. Because life is sooooo hard! We say to that person, “Why are you grumpy? Cheer up!” or we try to cheer them up, giving them suggestions for how they can change. WeContinue reading “Eeyore, Virtual Reality, the Billionaire Space Race and the Holy Spirit – Ezekiel 8, 9, & 10, Part 1”
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”
Engaging Scripture 