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Maundy Thursday thoughts
Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. 2 Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew the Father had…
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The mark of Christianity
If there is a lack of interest in the cross of Jesus Christ, what you may think is Christianity is not.
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Crisis of faith and the glory of the Cross
“Many believers have a crisis of faith every few days, yet in the midst of grave misgivings they continue to build their lives upon the confession of faith in Jesus Christ as found in Holy Scripture. We may trust that Paul and the other witnesses were neither dupes nor deceivers, and we may claim for ourselves the words Paul wrote,…
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One day we may pay attention
In my regular reading through the Psalms I came to this in Psalm 66:10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
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The work of the cross in fasting
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:6-7,…
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The cross is the difference
“The cross is ‘irreligious’ because no human being individually or human beings collectively would have projected their hopes, wishes, longings, and needs onto a crucified man… Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central focus the suffering and degradation of its God.” (Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion)
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If the cross is at work, it is noticed
“Here is an important distinction with far-reaching implications for Christian behavior. The deeds of Christians in this present time — however insignificant they may seem, however ‘vain’ they may appear to those who value worldly success — are already being built into God’s advancing kingdom. In other words, Christians do not simply look tot he cross of Christ with prayerful…
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Week Three: The Affections of Christ and the Rhythm of the Church Calendar
A reason, among many, I have come into the Anglican Church is the church calendar. It reminds me that the Kingdom “calendar” is not our civic calendar. Churches won’t be commemorating civic holidays in a church service. (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, etc.) It is a reminder that we are not on the same page as the world… and…
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The wonder of the Cross
“Worldwide Christianity faces a portentous array of challenges. Many voices from within the church are calling for a complete recasting of the foundations to suit the new era. This is often accompanied by expressions of disdain for those who still find the traditional forms a source of vitality. The traditionalists, on the other hand, are frequently discovered doing variations on…
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Two holy days in Lent that move me
It’s been well over 10-15 years since I have begun my journey into the liturgical/sacramental life. The embracing of Lent personally, then trying to lead a Pentecostal church into that sacred space (slowly), has been quite a journey. There are now two days in the season of Lent that move me the deepest currently: Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
Tag: Lent
