Hot Dogs and The Holiness of God
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A Response to Sex, Sin and Shalom.
An acquaintance of mine recently posted a series of videos that are meant to open a dialogue about homosexuality and faith. I am sad to say that she has changed her position since we last talked about 4 years ago. Here is my response to her latest video… (I suggest you watch the video before you read the rest). Hannah, I appreciate the tone that you are trying to keep on this subject. It is really helpful to keep the volume down and to keep our wits about us when we talk about issues that provoke people’s passions. Additionally, as someone who has been accused of … Continue reading A Response to Sex, Sin and Shalom.
Salvation Is Of The Lord.
Every time I read this, I want to high five JI Packer for writing it and fall on my face before God for doing it. “There is really only one point to be made in the field of soteriology (Salvation): the point that God saves sinners. God—the Triune Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit; three Persons working together in sovereign wisdom, power and love to achieve the salvation of a chosen people, the Father electing, the Son fulfilling the Father’s will by redeeming, the Spirit executing the purpose of Father and Son by renewing. Saves—does everything, first to last, that is involved in bringing man from death … Continue reading Salvation Is Of The Lord.
Hot Dogs and The Holiness of God
Have you ever wondered why the penalty for sin is so severe? As Christians, we know and love the fact that Jesus died for our sin – that He willingly went to the cross for us. That is the heart of the gospel. That is the heart of amazing grace. But the reality is, if we don’t understand why Jesus had to die – why our sin required a death sentence – then the amazing grace that saves us loses some of its amazingness (if that’s a word). You see, it is only when we begin to understand the holiness of God that we truly begin to understand … Continue reading Hot Dogs and The Holiness of God
Just Believe! Really?
… “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”… Acts 16:31 That was the answer that the Apostle Paul gave to a man who asked, in desperation, “What must I do to be saved?” A simple but profound question received a simple but profound answer. When we read this, we are tempted to ask, “Is that really it?” Just believe in Jesus and your eternal destiny is changed? You are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His marvelous light? You are transformed from sinner to saint – from enemy of God to His child – from defector to disciple of … Continue reading Just Believe! Really?
Community
If you are a Christian in the West today, you would likely agree that western evangelicalism has a culture of its own. That is not value judgment. It is simply an observation. As in any other culture, there are trends that sometimes take it by storm or at least catch the interest of the masses. One of those trends in today’s evangelical world is the emphasis on what we call “Community.” It is actually part of the vision for the church where I serve as a pastor: “Gospel-Community-Mission.” As easy as it is to insert the word into the lingo … Continue reading Community
Every Day is Super Sunday
(Originally posted on another site earlier this year. I thought I would pull it out for all of us suffering from football withdrawals; to tide us over until September). Last Sunday over 100 million people, around the world, witnessed an amazing event with an unforgettable ending. Super Bowl 49 took place in beautiful Glendale AZ at University of Phoenix Stadium. NFL fan or not, for one day the entire world is drawn to the spectacle of what is the Super Bowl. The network coverage begins hours before the game in an attempt to maximize the commercial appeal of the event. Eventually, … Continue reading Every Day is Super Sunday
We all have a Glitch
After returning from my 25th wedding anniversary vacation with my wife, it was time to catch up on some dad time with the kids. With my nine-year-old son it was a Saturday morning Netflix movie – his choice. And as nine-year-olds would have it, his choice was less than a cinematic masterpiece. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t a straight to video production, it should have been. It was the sequel to Disney’s animated film Lilo and Stitch – Stitch Has a Glitch. I know what you’re thinking. I didn’t know there was a sequel either – at … Continue reading We all have a Glitch
Is Ignorance Really Bliss?
“Ignorance is bliss”—or is it? This pseudo-proverb first appeared in an eighteenth century poem by Thomas Gray, “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.” In his ode, Gray lamented the reality that all men must one day face: life in the grown-up world. Instead, the author fantasized about an alternative; maintaining a perpetual state of youthful ignorance. He supposed that if such a state were possible, life would be bliss. At times we have all wished this was true; but unfortunately, unless your name is Peter Pan, we know that it is not. We all have to grow … Continue reading Is Ignorance Really Bliss?
The Greatest Story Ever Sold
Did you know one of the highest grossing feature films of the 20th century was a children’s cartoon? It wasn’t a CG superhero spectacular, but rather the 1994 hand drawn Disney classic, The Lion King. Earnings for the movie continued to swell into the 21st century; reaching nearly 1 billion dollars as of 2011. It is now the highest-grossing hand-drawn film in history. Combine the movie’s success with the hit Broadway production that followed and The Lion King might be the most profitable story of all time. It is a story that captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike–as … Continue reading The Greatest Story Ever Sold
