Lent
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We like to think it exists (and in reality, it still does), but what we really mean is this: “I believe in your right to speak freely as long as it agrees one hundred percent with me. If it does not, I will have your job, or your company, or your product… or something to show how shameful it… Read more
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Mark 10:17-22 gives us the story of the rich man asking about eternal life. One big thing that continually stands out to me from Mark and Matthew on this story: When asked point blank what was needed to inherit eternal life, Jesus did NOT point to himself in a way we would think. He did NOT say,… Read more
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Every year there is some comment, post, article, etc., out there that will wonder why Christians go through the “morbidity” of Lent or “dwell” on the crucifixion. It’s a braggadocious claim about how they live in the resurrection power. Jesus is alive! Jesus IS alive. And the resurrection IS where we dwell. We live in the power of the… Read more
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I am preparing for Palm Sunday and part of that is reading the text in Matthew 21:1-11. I couldn’t stop there. What did he do AFTER making that triumphal entry? He ransacked the Temple. He healed IN the Temple, drawing the weak in… and he blessed children. This is a powerful statement. He is NOT… Read more
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We continually live our lives in panic and frustration and anxiety, letting the storms of life dictate the condition to us, all the while forgetting the GOD of those storms resides in the boat with us (Mark 4:35-41) Read more
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There spiritually thirsty people everywhere. Often, they are at the margins. They are in very visible places at very invisible times, like the woman at the well, because we have buffered our lives from needing to view “people like that.” It’s easier on us, and isn’t that what the gospel is all about? One of… Read more
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Our life in Christ is powerful. We too often take Lent and think on our miserable failures without realizing the glorious power of the Savior. Today’s reading in Romans gives us the glimpse of power we need. Our present activity is VITAL. It should powerfully reflect God’s will in our lives, if we are truly dead to… Read more
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Jesus constantly challenged the bound up authority of religious rulers because he was there to demonstrate the rule of the KING. The inmates were trying to run the asylum, and that just never goes well. We too often default to pretend spiritual formation, which drifts to legalism, because we can’t measure the heart. We don’t… Read more
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There is a saying where you can find yourself “between a rock and a hard place.” Yesterday was one of those days. There are just those intense moments… or hours… or days… when the pressure is so intense. Even crying out to God seems laborious. Psalm 40 is a cry for help. It is the… Read more
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Pause, if you will, for just a few minutes to read Paul’s opening in 1 Corinthians and somehow take in this thought: “ALL I need is provided. ALL is mine in Christ Jesus. I do not lack.” 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 