Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral …
Tag: Christ
What is a Human Being? Part 3
"To err is human," or so the saying goes. When someone gives into temptation or makes a mistake of some kind, such a person will often say, "Well, I'm only human after all!" In other words, when we think of what it means to be a human being, usually we include all the ways in …
Living Now with Eternity in Mind #14: Living the Christian Life is a Battle
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in …
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Living Now with Eternity in Mind #7: Living Subversively
Household slaves, submit to your masters with all reverence not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel. For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? …
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Experiencing Joy
Below is a revised version of my sermon from this past Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. Years ago a friend of mine—who is typically not the most emotionally expressive—said this: “I party on the inside.” I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us who are Christians party on the inside. That …
To Have Christ in Your Life . . .
To have Christ in your life, you don’t have to have it all together—because who does? To have Christ in your life, you don’t need to be especially spiritual—for who really is anyway? To have Christ in your life, you don’t have to push away your difficult feelings like anger, fear, and disappointment—for aren’t those …
Advent Begins
Today is the beginning of Advent. Advent means “arrival” and refers both to the coming of Christ in the incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas and the glorious return of Christ at the end of time. The following reflection from Lectio 365 was part of my devotions this morning. Maybe it will bless you too. …
My Resurrection Sunday Message
This morning during our Easter service, I shared the reflection below by Karl Vaters. I then shared some reflections of my own. “The Gospel Of Failure (A Good Friday Reflection)” By Karl Vaters / April 1, 2021: “The gospel was built on failure. The good news started as very bad news. It was never supposed …
Praying for Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is a funny thing. You see, as Christians we believe that when Jesus was nailed to the cross, he willingly bore the sins of the entire world—past, present, future. Transposing this into a more personal key, Christ’s gift of reconciliation covers every inch of my wrongdoing and brokenness. Nothing remains unforgiven. No wound untouched …
grace notes 