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Surpassing the Righteousness of the Pharisees
This week our church is reading Matthew in our journey through the New Testament. One of my favorite passages to camp is the Sermon on the Mount. I am blown away by the high calling of the Kingdom of God. Jesus makes the astounding claim that he hasn’t come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. This isn’t a new…
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The Core of Why We Must “Eat This Book”
Our reading for this Sunday is Philippians, 1-2 Timothy, and Titus. As I read through 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5, I am once again convicted by these words. These verses are probably core to why the Spirit has led us on this journey as a church to read the entire New Testament this summer. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 is central. We need the power…
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Common English Bible and Romans 5:1
I have enjoyed our New Testament reading this summer in the Common English Bible. Yet, I still find a couple of awkward phrases. (Every translation provides that, however.) Rom. 5:1 in the CEB is interesting: Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness combined with our faith,[a] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The footnote…
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Loving Christ and STILL Loving Our Nation
I was away for the 4th, so I didn’t get to post too much on the 4th, and then have the angst over why as Christians we wrestle with celebrating the 4th… blah, blah, blah… You can find the angst elsewhere. I wrestle with those issues as well… but on the 4th I love the fireworks, the music, the fun.…
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Two Words Can Change a Life
Last week at the Kiwanis International Convention we heard from Sean and Leanne Tuohy, the real life couple featured in the movie The Blind Side. Sharing the first time they saw Michael Oher, Sean Tuohy mentioned his wife said two words that changed their lives. They were driving down the road and saw Michael walking in the cold. “Turn around.”…
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Speaking the Truth Doesn’t Always Work Out
25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers…
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The Power of the Grace of God
Grace isn’t just about forgiveness of sins. It is the power to live. Titus 2:11-14 gives an outline on the power God gives us through grace. There are things TO do… and things NOT to do. I am reminded of Dallas Willard saying Christians should burn through grace every day like a jet burns fuel on take off. We need…
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Convinced of the Power of God
2 Timothy 1:12 — I know whom I have believed. Paul knew he was suffering for the gospel. Simply recanting what he was preaching would set him free. His personal freedom wasn’t the issue, though. It was about the power of the gospel. It was about freedom in Christ. Paul trusted what Christ had done in him. Do we trust…
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Live Up to What You Have
Phil. 3:16 — Live up to what we have already attained. Early thoughts on this week’s reading: build on what you have, not what you wish you had, or bemoaning what you don’t have. Take what you have in Christ and build on it. Take up the passionate pursuit with what is already in you.
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The Song We THINK We Hear
This is the longest I’ve spent in New Orleans. One of the thoughts I’ve had about the city is this: New Orleans sings its story. It is a city of incredible music. I heard a street musician playing some incredibl classical pieces on his cello. I’ve heard some great jazz. There is a “cajun” style of music that is fun.…
