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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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Bonhoeffer, the Barmen Declaration, and resistance
The Confessing Church in Germany saw the dangers of Nazism encroaching and in 1934, leaders met in the city of Barmen-Wuppertal to put together a declaration that would magnify their Christian convictions and point out areas of dissent.
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The way ahead is tough, necessary, and glorious
I have been reviewing the month of May in my journaling and notes and found there have been only two places that have been a catalyst for a longer exploration, though “longer exploration” is a bit of a misnomer as they took me on a path of further Scriptural exploration that was a few days… not months. Yet, in these…
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The kingdom of God and suffering
In the past few weeks I’ve had a similar question posed to me: “When did you come to faith?” My answer has been a bit longer because I honestly can’t remember a time I wasn’t aware of Jesus in my life in a way where I knew he was there and I was somehow following him.
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We have to carry the glory and the suffering of Christ together
Mark 9:2-13 is the story of the Transfiguration. Here are some thoughts from a little bit of study and my own notes mixed in:
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There are times our spirits should be crushed
There are three pictures burned into my mind and spirit now. Three moments. Three children.
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The darkness of Advent and communal lament
“Unlike American Christianity, the Bible is not individualistic, but thoroughly social in its orientation. When the Church groans with Isaiah, ‘Thou hast hid they face far from us,’ it speaks as a corporate body with a common lot. If one suffers, all suffer.” — Fleming Rutledge, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Christ
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We don’t do good with death
Reading for today: Psalm 31, 35 Exodus 4:10-31 1 Cor. 14:1-19 Mark 9:30-49 Death and suffering aren’t “fun” to deal with in our lives, but deal with them we must.
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Empowered by the Spirit… and groaning
Romans 8:18 (Common English Bible) I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us.
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2017.05.28 – Thoughts on Suffering featuring Pastor Rachel Ling
“2017.05.28 – Thoughts on Suffering featuring Pastor Rachel Ling” A sermon from Heights Church. More information at HeightsChurchMN.org Subscribe in an RSS reader or on iTunes
Tag: Suffering
