-
Hope in Times of Fear: A Review
Read more: Hope in Times of Fear: A ReviewHope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter by Rev. Dr. Timothy Keller (New York: Viking, 2021). Does a study in the resurrection ever need an introduction? Not really, because the resurrection is meant to be so central to the Christian faith that it’s always worth exploring. Therefore, I want to…
-
3 Simple Ways to Respond to this past Easter Weekend
Read more: 3 Simple Ways to Respond to this past Easter WeekendFor most followers of Jesus, our observance of Easter this past weekend marked a significant point in our yearly calendar that has been specifically set aside to celebrate the pinnacle of our faith, Jesus’ resurrection and life giving ministry. It’s meant to be a significant pause built into our busy schedules cementing a spiritual rhythm…
-
Evangelicals, Ex-vangelicals, Christians: A Lenten Reflection on the Politics of the Cross
Read more: Evangelicals, Ex-vangelicals, Christians: A Lenten Reflection on the Politics of the CrossI follow Paul, I follow Peter, I follow Apollos, I follow Christ. So Paul famously describes the leader-based factions developing in the Corinthian church. Like many of you, I like to think that if I were there, I would be in that Group 4 that says, “I follow Christ.” Maybe Group 4 was earnest, maybe…
-
Is Lent Really Worth It?
Read more: Is Lent Really Worth It?Part of what comes with moving across the world is the acquiring of new traditions. For instance, just as the language is slightly different, so are the holidays. There is certainly no Independence Day on 4th of July, but England does have its own “Bonfire Night” or “Guy Fawkes day” which conversely memorializes the failure…
-
Preparing for the Fast
Read more: Preparing for the FastLent always seems to sneak up on me. As someone who really tries to intentionally observe the Lenten season, I hate feeling rushed to come up with “what I’m doing for Lent.” Furthermore, it has been my general observation that those hurried Lenten commitments made without prayer or much reflection tend to be a bit…
-
Death Is Common, But Not Forever
Read more: Death Is Common, But Not ForeverQUEEN “Thou know’st tis common, all that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity” HAMLET Ay, madam, it is common. Hamlet, Act I, Scene II As Hamlet reflects upon the death of his father, he mourns the brevity of life and the painful triviality of death. We too feel this as we survey what…
-
Don’t Rush Holy Week
Read more: Don’t Rush Holy WeekYesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday as the start of the Holy Week. As I was listening to the message at my church, I reflected on the speaker, Chad Glazener’s, comment to not move too quickly through the different events of Holy Week. Often times, we want to rush into the celebration of Easter, that we…
-
Blood on my Hands
Read more: Blood on my HandsWhen I heard that we were receiving communion as a church staff, I was thankful. I needed it. I was wearied from two stressful weeks of constant ministry. Lots of counseling, lots of planning, lots of situations in which I had no idea what to do. I was tired. That morning, it had taken everything…
-
He is Risen Indeed!
Read more: He is Risen Indeed!It was Easter Sunday in 1972. My grandfather was preparing to sing an Easter cantata with his church choir when he suffered a stroke and collapsed. On the following Sunday, he went to be with the Lord. I never met my grandfather, but I’ve heard countless stories from my mother about what a wonderful man…
-
Cabin in the Woods & Good Friday
Read more: Cabin in the Woods & Good FridayI have been waiting to review one of my favorite movies from 2012 for quite some time, Cabin in the Woods. As soon as I saw it I knew I needed to blog about it, and more importantly, I knew I needed to review it this week—Holy week. Perhaps you’re thinking, this is totally random;…