Latest Posts
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The Shameful Company of Prostitutes, A Pregnant Teenager, and Farm Boys
Read more: The Shameful Company of Prostitutes, A Pregnant Teenager, and Farm BoysIn studying the theology of shame throughout the Bible, I’ve been noticing how Jesus came into the world in the midst of shameful company. Since the New Testament culture was a collectivist culture, where honor and status were highly regarded, honor and shame were essential parts of the society at large. From His lineage, Jesus…
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Advent: The Good News of Barrenness
Read more: Advent: The Good News of BarrennessHow preposterous a thought it is that in the often barren, frigid, and life-drained months of winter that we celebrate the birth of new life of Jesus, the God-Man. The church’s celebration of the resurrection seems to get it right- the rising from death to the glory of new life remembered on Resurrection Sunday seems…
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The Original Christmas Flash Mob
Read more: The Original Christmas Flash MobRecently, I saw a video of a flash mob that I thought you all should check out (if you haven’t already). I first saw it at a church service a few Sundays ago. Check it out: As I was watching this video initially I thought about how random it would be to experience one of…
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Exegesis of Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer
Read more: Exegesis of Grandma Got Ran Over by a ReindeerFor fun this week, and to take a welcome break from my studies, I have decided to take a look at one of the most inspirational Christmas songs ever sung. It would be easy to just celebrate the brilliance of such a sensational and stimulating ditty but, for a more challenging endeavour, I thought it…
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The Word Became Baby
Read more: The Word Became Baby“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:6-7 NIV) “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us….
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Christmas in Sandy Hook
Read more: Christmas in Sandy HookTomorrow is the one year anniversary of the devastating Sandy Hook shooting, when Adam Lanza opened fire on Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and 7 adults before taking his own life. A year ago, the news was filled with memorials and tributes, tears and laments, as our nation grieved in solidarity with Newtown,…
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Timely Truth
Read more: Timely TruthThe seminary where I spent a formative two years had a big, customizable sign out in front, the kind you see outside of a lot of churches. These signs are usually changed periodically, usually to announce a sermon topic or share a groan-worthy humorous aphorism. Our sign never changed; it always read: “Timeless truths for…
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Experiments in Advent
Read more: Experiments in AdventOn Sunday we lit the second Advent candle in church, which means I’ve been observing Advent for the first time as an adult for about a week and a half. I’m pretty sure you need to practice this tradition for years to be able to really sink down into the season and begin to glimpse…
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Good Grief, It’s Christmas Charlie Brown!
Read more: Good Grief, It’s Christmas Charlie Brown!As Christmas quickly approaches, I don’t feel ready for the holiday season. While many people enjoy the holiday cheer and the magic of the Christmas season, I sometimes resonate with Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, not enjoying the Christmas season because the true Christmas story gets lost in the hustle and bustle of…
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What Violent Passion Tells us about our Compass of Worship
Read more: What Violent Passion Tells us about our Compass of WorshipThis last Saturday, fans of the phenomenon that is College Football had a spectacular, history making event to enjoy. I’m sorry if this introduction doesn’t capture the attention of the other 6.7 billion people around the globe who don’t follow American football, but in summary: a 109 short field goal return for a come-from-behind win…