How does the truth about the religion we claim (what governs us) and the faith we claim (honesty about dependence) actually work out in our lives? Consider the example of time management. People seem to be too busy or not busy enough. What if there was a beautiful, broad place (this is what “peace” means) … Continue reading Time Management
Podcast: Matthew 2:11-18–The Death of Innocents
There are two important things to glean from these few verses in Matthew. One is about Jesus retracing the steps of the children of Israel, doing correctly what everyone before Him did incorrectly. The second is in regard to the death of the innocents by Herod. How can we make sense of this tragedy, that … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 2:11-18–The Death of Innocents
Podcast: A fresh perspective on Matthew 2
We all know the story of Jesus' birth and the Wise Men. But there are some interesting contrasts and important questions that Matthew 2 brings up that might not have come to your mind before. Listen in to hear a fresh perspective on this familiar text. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=16528637
Wearing masks during the pandemic
My neighbor and his wife want to be faithful Christians, but find their disposition very negative toward people wearing masks during the Covid pandemic. They asked for my help. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The “name of the Lord” is an abbreviation for all there is … Continue reading Wearing masks during the pandemic
Now!
Today I noticed something particular about one of the taunts thrown at Jesus during His crucifixion: “He has been and remains honest about dependence on God. Let Him save Him now if He wants” (Matt. 27:43). (Sidenote: “wants” here is the one that means wanting something no matter what, as referenced in podcast 35.) Those … Continue reading Now!
Podcast: Matthew 1:18-23 on marriage
This text from Matthew 1 offers the opportunity to consider marriage in Mary and Joseph's day, and how it compares with relationships and marriage in our time. https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=16413644
Beginning the Steady Life and Work of Ambassadors
What is the best word for orienting and acclimating people to a new job? A quick google search suggested the hip and up-to-date term, “onboarding.” Since ambassadorship is sometimes like taking lifeboats out to save drowning people, “onboarding” seems to be a good fit. Podcast episodes so far (1-33) have concentrated on our identity as … Continue reading Beginning the Steady Life and Work of Ambassadors
Podcast #33: Peril and Promise
We have been thinking through the nature of the life of an ambassador and it is the best of all possible lives. The problem is that we live that life within a corrupt human nature that always wants to revert to the way of the world from which we were redeemed. We live with the … Continue reading Podcast #33: Peril and Promise
Podcast #32: Poor in Spirit, and an Easy Yoke
Have you been able to keep Christ in your consciousness since our last post, or have the currents of this world swept you away again? There is no need to be ashamed of that or even afraid because of it. Remember that our human nature remains native to this world even while our regenerate soul … Continue reading Podcast #32: Poor in Spirit, and an Easy Yoke
Podcast #31: Renewal in Scripture: New and Old Wineskins
Can ambassadors be swept up in the currents of thought and busy-ness of the foreign land in which they serve? Of course, and so much more easily when our human nature has its origins in that foreign land. The consciousness of our mind never actually changes and so remains bound up in this world. (Just … Continue reading Podcast #31: Renewal in Scripture: New and Old Wineskins