The last casualty of a failed covenant

In Moses’ final address to the Israelites, he painted a vivid picture of what it meant to be God's chosen covenant people in the world. He also depicted a heart-stopping visual of what it would mean if they failed to live out God's covenant. In deliberate warning, Moses said if they rebelled against God, their …

Martha, Mary, and waiting on the Lord

Waiting-on-the-Lord is a phrase the Bible uses to describe how we might navigate the tension that exists between being passively attentive to the formational work God’s Spirit is carrying out in and around us, and actively carrying God’s work in our lives. Jesus’ interaction at Martha and Mary’s home illustrates how this can be done …

A king’s faithfulness for Israel’s legacy (part two)

The kind of community God intended to establish throughout Israel indicates there was no immediate place or need for a king. Every member of God’s covenant community was responsible for living faithfully to God’s covenant. But in the event Israel ever had the rebellious nerve to demand a king, that king was to only exist …

Rahab and allegiance to Christ

A fantastic book by Matthew Bates was released two years ago titled Salvation by Allegiance Alone. Instead of nullifying faith as the key to salvation, as the title might initially seem to imply, Bates digs deeper into the meanings of faith beyond its usual connotation of belief. Throughout the book he makes a very compelling …

Who I Am – Psalm 46

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-TpOhJYaks

Believe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4LNqp2W11U

What if my testimony is boring?

I’m a preacher’s kid and proud of it. I was in church a few days after being born, gave my life to Jesus on my 8th birthday, was always active in youth group and other church activities; when it came time to go to college, I set off to Great Lakes Christian College to become …

The voice of Saruman and the laughter of God

I went for a long walk the other day, partly for the exercise, but also because my prayers are more fluent when I’m walking.  I was feeling distressed, struggling with doubt and confusion.  While walking I prayed “Lord, I need you to cut through this fog.” I then remembered my favorite moment from “The Lord …

Celebrate the Mothers, but what about the Others?

Mother’s Day is this Sunday.  Now you know.  Our churches usually celebrate in similar ways; sometimes we organize a Mother’s Day breakfast or hand out flowers to the mothers.  You know how it goes.  But this morning I overheard a conversation in passing that was concerned for the other women who desperately desire to be …

Guardian of Goodness in an Unsafe World | Matthew 2:13-14

Joseph, Mary, and toddler Jesus had just received a visit from some eastern astrologers hailing him as “king of the Jews”, expressing wonder and worship as they bowed down and brought him gifts.  It was a remarkable moment, probably giving everyone pause to ponder what God was doing behind the scenes.  But soon after they …