I’ve just read a blog post entitled “How to stump an anti-abortionist with one simple question.” The question is this: If abortion were illegal, what should be done with mothers who get one? According to the post, asking anti-abortion protesters this question draws puzzled looks and poorly thought out responses. If Christians can’t articulate a well constructed response to this simple question, we need to work on that. I responded thusly: Continue reading
Category Archives: Christianity
Commandments and Traditions, Jesus in Mark 7
This lesson is from Mark 7:1-22. Jesus is being questioned about why his disciples eat without washing their hands. Jesus’ response says a lot about first century Jews’ attitudes toward the Old Testament Law, and how they lived out their convictions in real life.
Jesus’ immediate reply to their criticism is to quote from Isaiah “this people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Jesus tells them that they ignore God’s commandment to keep the commandment of men. Continue reading
Jesus’ Example: Growing Up
While it’s true that the whole Bible is about Jesus, what we know about his life on earth is found in four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The story of his birth (Christmas) is only recorded in two of those, Matthew and Luke. What we know about his childhood is very limited, basically one paragraph in Luke 2. Yet even in this short story Jesus provides us with an example we can learn from. Continue reading
Israel, Hamas, and My Friend That Lives There
UPDATE:Israel has announced a unilateral cease fire, Hamas has pledged to keep fighting. Read the full story here.
I have somehow avoided blogging on the Israel/Hamas conflict, at least mostly. I mentioned that there was a conflict in my Welcome 2009 post, and I’ve commented on other blogs about the situation. I plan to be brief.
Peace in the Middle East: It’s a catchy slogan, rhymes well, and became very popular back in the 80’s. It is also highly unlikely. Correct that; according to the Bible it is not going to happen. Continue reading
Rapture Index = 158
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that there is a website called Rapture Ready that has a vast menu of things to read on endtimes prophecy, current events, and more articles on how Russia is Magog than you can shake a stick at. But on the Rapture Ready mainpage is a link to the Rapture Index, and this thing is a hoot. Continue reading
Jesus on Abraham
Moses tells the story of Abraham, Paul mentions Abraham several times, but did Jesus ever talk about Abraham? He does at length in John 8. Jesus is explaining that God the Father has sent him, yet the people do not listen to his words but instead do the will of their father, the devil. His Jewish audience insists their father is Abraham. Jesus says that if Abraham were their father they would do the things Abraham did, such as rejoice when he saw the Day of the Lord. Jesus contends they are not sons of Abraham. Continue reading
In Christ Alone
I’ve never been one for blogging song lyrics, but the gospel message is all over these verses. In Christ Alone (Keith Getty, Stuart Townsend) is one of my favorite songs that any Christian artist has ever produced.
In Christ Alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, and strivings cease.
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ Alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love, and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save.
‘Til on the cross as Jesus died
the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live. Continue reading
Immanuel, God With Us
Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah, saying that a virgin would conceive and have a child, and his name would be called Immanuel. When Matthew quotes Isaiah he adds that Immanuel means “God with us.” That’s the true meaning of Christmas.
I recently wrote that when we could not come to God, he came to us. In Isaiah chapter nine he writes “His name shall be called Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” If the baby in the manger is anything other than God with us, you’re not understanding the full implication of Christ’s birth. Continue reading
Bittersweet
As a small child, we are taught a few emotional expressions. We all learn happy, sad, angry and surprised at a young age. The natural maturation process eventually teaches us that all things are not so simple. Sometimes good news has a sting to it, or we take bad news and try to find the silver lining. When a terminally ill child passes away, sometimes there is comfort in knowing he will no longer suffer. Or the opposite may be true; a child leaving for college or getting married is an exciting occasion, but also sad in a way for the parents staying behind in the empty nest. I’m not sure MySpace or WordPress have an emoticon for bittersweet. Continue reading
Almost Getting Christmas
This is part two of Almost Getting Jesus. It was just way too long to be a single post.
Many believe Christmas to be Jesus’ birthday, and his birth is why we celebrate. Yes; and no. Mostly no. The wise men brought gifts, which is why we exchange gifts. Perhaps; but I don’t think so. The true meaning of Christmas is about peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, right? That’s what the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, but that’s not what Christmas really means to Christianity; not really. What’s wrong with all of these statements you ask? There’s nothing majorly wrong with them, and they are close to the Gospel. Continue reading
The Master's Table 