Death sucks. I have pastoral colleagues who say they like doing funerals, not because a person died, of course, but because of the opportunity to have spiritual conversations. I’m really iffy about that. When it comes to rituals of the faith, I’d much rather do a wedding, baptism, or lead the celebration of communion. BecauseContinue reading “Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2”
Tag Archives: new life
What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5
If you have the opportunity to say last words, just before you die, what would you say? Think about the gravity of the moment. Likely, your family will be around you. They will remember your last words probably more than anything you ever said to them. Your last words will be famous to them, lockedContinue reading “What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5”
How Jesus’ resurrection can give us new life – John 20, Part 5
After assuring doubting Thomas that he, Jesus, truly has a body that is alive, Jesus makes a powerful remark that I love. Jesus talks about you and me. Look at John 20, verse 29. “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yetContinue reading “How Jesus’ resurrection can give us new life – John 20, Part 5”
How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3
Jesus regularly said very important things. What he says in John 11:25-27 is of utmost importance, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ sheContinue reading “How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3”
How Jesus brings us life – John 5:16-30, Part 4
As we learned in the previous post, Jesus not only disobeyed the law, he said that could do so because he is God. Thus he put himself in a very precarious position. Some of the most powerful leaders in the land want to kill him on what they believe are justifiable grounds. What will JesusContinue reading “How Jesus brings us life – John 5:16-30, Part 4”
Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2
What do you do when you feel the anxiety and the pain and the stress of condemnation from people? Other people can sure be condemning, can’t they? Maybe you have a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate that is like that. They might even be a church member, someone you would call a friend,Continue reading “Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2”
The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3
What does Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones mean? God explains it to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37, verses 11-14. How about that? The entire vision is symbolic. Ezekiel wasn’t at the scene of battle from years earlier. The vision of the valley of dry bones, God says, symbolizes the people of Israel, whoContinue reading “The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3”
What my peach tree teaches me about resurrection – Easter 2021, Part 3
I’m writing this in early spring, when I am starting to see the beginning of buds growing on the peach tree in my yard. Maybe you have fruit trees, and you’ve seen this growth process underway. As the buds eventually flower, the tiny fruit will begin to grow. Frequently, some fruit ripens early and weContinue reading “What my peach tree teaches me about resurrection – Easter 2021, Part 3”
What I learned about reconciliation from a guy who drove through my mailbox – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 4
A year or so ago, we were in our living room at night watching TV, and we heard a loud crashing sound out front. I went to the front porch, opened the door, and saw a car had skidded off the road, right through our mailbox, across our front lawn, tearing up two tire-streaks ofContinue reading “What I learned about reconciliation from a guy who drove through my mailbox – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 4”
Why Christians should be talking about the resurrection constantly – Acts 24-26, Part 5
Though he had previously persecuted Christians because he thought they were followers of a false teacher, when he met the risen the Jesus, Paul was totally changed. There was no denying this story of Paul’s life history. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. I wonder if we have taken Jesus’ resurrection for granted? I wonderContinue reading “Why Christians should be talking about the resurrection constantly – Acts 24-26, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 