Searching for Meaning and Purpose...

This week we hit "Jesus, Barrabas, and Pilate" in our 24 Hours That Changed the World study, and I'll tell you, it's tough stuff. The verse that wacked me upside the head (and the "saddest verse in Scripture" according to Adam Hamilton, the author) is Mark 15.15: " And wanting to satisfy the crowd (despite KNOWING that Jesus was there because the religious types were jealous and Jesus was innocent), Pilate released Barrabas to them. He then ordered Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified ." Jesus wasn't condemned to die because of anything He did or a compelling case against Him (however adventurously fabricated!), but because Pilate wanted to "satisfy" the crowd. That made me begin to consider myself: how many times have I done something because someone else would think positively of me or like me for it? And not just past tense, but present as in the times I say yes to something knowing I shouldn't or any

This is something I think we (being the Church proper) must read. After doing my Master's Thesis this past year about revival and its potential to sweep the world (based on historical study of the Great Awakening and comparative analysis), this is something we NEED to know. Anyone can cause emotional reactions and get a crowd to attend, in fact, the science of illiciting emotion is well documented (lighting, temperature, music, way of speaking, etc.). Because our emotionality cannot necessarily be trusted, these reminders that Ray Ortlund brings out from Jonathan Edwards are as timely today as they were in the mid-1700's. Read on and see where God might be taking us... How To Know What Real Revival Looks Like Ray Ortlund http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/30/how-to-know-what-real-revival-looks-like In 1972 I heard J. I. Packer lecture at my seminary. One simple sentence of his has echoed in my mind ever since: “Do not neglect the revival dimension in your ministry.” Re

While on the surface, Washed and Waiting might look like any number of books published regarding homosexuality and the church, making that assumption would be leave one far wrong. Instead of a treatise on the evils of homosexuality or some theological gymnastics to explain away the biblical prohibition, Wesley attempts to simply explain who he is and what he believes. It is an intensely personal journey, as he shares his struggles and heart. The end result is something that speaks into far more situations than simply his. As a straight, married, father of 5 I have little in common with Wes. However, as a man and Christian who has struggled with temptation, I can go beyond relating and almost walk with him. The specifics are different, but the conclusions drawn in the first chapters can apply to any sin issue. Whether it's dealing with same-sex attraction, lust (for any gender), compulsive lying, or anything else for that matter, we can glean much from the experience Wesley

No, I'm not talking about Darth Vader's change of heart in Return of the Jedi or any other story about someone who turns from their evil to become good. Instead, I'm talking about a verse from Paul's letter to the Romans: And we know that God causes everything to work togethert for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8.28 (NLT) This is often a Christian comfort verse, thrown out without thinking in times of deep sorrow, loss, and pain. At those times, it ain't much comfort and is really just a cop out. However, today I want to look at a story (from our E100 challenge, Day 11; if you don't know it look for the "Essentials" post and hop in) about God doing that very thing. In Genesis 37 we see the story of Joseph. He was his daddy's favorite, as evidenced by verses 3 and 4. He also had dreams that he shared willy-nilly with his brothers (out of pride, arrogance, or innocence I don't

As we continue the E100 challenge (read yesterday's post to find out what we're talking about and join in!), today I read Genesis 12. Now, this might not seem like a very earth shattering passage, but as everything in the Bible is God writing a love letter to us, it carries some import. As something out of the ordinary in life, it carries even more for us. Abraham is often called the father of faith because of this story, but I think there's a lot more importance than his faith. I mean, faith is great, but we need to see something about that faith. In Genesis 12, here's what happens: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed thro

So, as we begin the Essentials series, I am pausing to consider what is most important. I mean, there are so many things that demand our time, passion, and money. However, the convergence of all three tells us what we worship. So, what are we worshiping? That is the crux of the series: what are we doing with what we believe? What does belief mean in the grand scheme of things? Does it mean Sunday/Wednesday and nothing else? Or is there something essential that we're missing? Week 1 is looking at what is Essential 2: Grow. Week 2 we'll be looking at what is Essential 2: Know followed by week 3 in Essential 2: Show. Each of these weeks is an interactive experience in looking at who we are and who we can (and ought) to be. If you missed week 1 (and you know who you are!), here's a brief synopsis: What is essential for growth in a plant? A baby? An adult? Think about it, because there are certain foundational needs. A plant must have sunlight, carbon, and ox