-
Book Review — Basic Christianity
InterVarsity Press is re-issuing some classics from their catalogue. Basic Christianity by John Stott is a standard. It is every bit a classic in the explanation of Christianity as Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Having read Stott’s book years ago, I took the opportunity to read it again.
-
Tearing off the roof in prayer
As I read through the Gospel of Mark again, the story of the friends carrying their paralyzed buddy to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12) continues to challenge me. They have the faith to get him to Jesus. The paralytic himself doesn’t have that faith. The others have that faith and carry him to the One who can answer.
-
How race became a religion
I am a fan of the Holy Post podcast. Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales) has a great conversation with Skye Jethani and Christian Taylor in this episode. The first half is worth the listen (especially Christian talking about her documentary on France in WWII), but it’s the second half of the episode that is worth the listen… and, of course, challenging.…
-
A prayer of spiritual hunger
Lord Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on the Cross through wood and nails you wrought our full salvation: Wield well your tools in this, your workshop, that we who come to you rough-hewn may be fashioned into a truer beauty by your hand; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.…
-
Notes from the Temptation of Christ
Some notes I wrote long ago on the Temptation of Christ in the wilderness:
-
A key word associated with justice is: GO
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its…
-
The call to pastor
In my lifetime as a minister we’ve moved from talking about “pastors” to focusing almost exclusively on “leadership.” I read passages like 1 Peter 5:1-5 and read articles like this one from Dennis Edwards, and my heart is stirred once again for a call to pastor. We need the shepherds once again.
-
The call to be “holy”
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Some notes I jotted down on this passage a few years ago:
-
My house shall be a house of prayer
I am sure I have posted about this before, but this insight from N.T. Wright on this passage well worth repeating! 12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house…
