How does my experiment with the American flag relate to Palm Sunday? You can read about that experiment in the previous post. As we begin to answer that question, turn with me to Mark 11, and read the story of the first Palm Sunday. We are studying Mark’s account of the story of Jesus’ TriumphalContinue reading “Jesus was and was not the Messiah? – Mark 11, Part 2”
Tag Archives: Roman empire
Why “Lord Jesus Christ” is subversive, and “grace and peace” is more than a greeting – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 3
Have you ever heard someone talk about Jesus Christ, as if “Christ” is his last name, or surname? The name “Jesus Christ” has become so culturally familiar, perhaps most often used as an expletive. What does his name mean? Continue reading, as our study through 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 during this first week of AdventContinue reading “Why “Lord Jesus Christ” is subversive, and “grace and peace” is more than a greeting – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 3″
School…Work…Retirement…Does God care about the places we spend so much time? – Colossians 3:22-4:1, Part 1
School. Work. And retirement. Three phases of life. Which are you in? Maybe a mixture of more than one. Which are you looking forward to? Think about how much time we spend in these three phases of life. At least 13 years in school, maybe more if you go to college and grad school. ThenContinue reading “School…Work…Retirement…Does God care about the places we spend so much time? – Colossians 3:22-4:1, Part 1”
Christians were the first atheists? – Colossians 1:15-20, Part 2
In the first post in this series, we talked about what Jesus might have looked like. Paul in Colossians 1:15-20 says that Jesus is the image or icon of the invisible God. There are many ways that we English-speakers use the word “icon,” and one way is found in the Orthodox church paintings called icons.Continue reading “Christians were the first atheists? – Colossians 1:15-20, Part 2”
Creativity can set you free – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 1
I heard from some in my congregation, after the events of this past Wednesday January 6, 2021, the breaching of the US Capitol building by Trump-supporting extremists, that they were really struggling. What is going on in our country? How do we Christians respond? We can feel trapped in our uncertainty about how to respond.Continue reading “Creativity can set you free – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 1”
Peer pressure and our longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 2
Have you ever been swayed by what other people think, even though you don’t really agree with them? Have you ever been influenced to act contrary to your beliefs because you feel pressure from others? Often we say that teenagers succumb to peer pressure, but the reality is that adults of all ages are justContinue reading “Peer pressure and our longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 2”
How to transform your life from useless to useful – Philemon 8-25, Part 2
Have you ever felt useless in life? Maybe you watch others around you, friends and family, and it seems they are successful, advancing, making a difference in the world, enjoying life. Then you think about your life, and maybe you see a past littered with failure, broken relationships, and poor choices. Even if that describesContinue reading “How to transform your life from useless to useful – Philemon 8-25, Part 2”
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