Our focus this week is on prayer as Thursday is the 63rd National Day of Prayer. Bobble head Jesus will probably not become a regular feature. Alright then, let’s Happy Monday! Continue reading
Prayer Week: Raindrops of Prayer
May 1 2014 is the National Day of Prayer. I’m posting on the subject of prayer all week; here’s a rerun from January.
How much potential does one raindrop hold? What about a snowflake? While one of each may not make much difference, we have all witnessed the outcome if those drops or flakes just keep coming.
At some point every analogy breaks down. There is power in prayer. We are told to pray without ceasing. Jesus himself arose early each morning and began praying even before daybreak. On occasion he prayed late into the night and at times all night long. We ask other Christians to pray with us, forming prayer chains and now publicizing our requests utilizing social media. While a flood or an avalanche of prayers make for powerful imagery, prayers may not add up in a cumulative manner that we can measure mathematically. We must pray for God’s will to be done and keep in mind that he understands our needs in ways we cannot comprehend. Prayer is a powerful weapon in the spiritual battle, but not a tool we use to manipulate God.
I like the raindrops of prayer idea, many prayers of the saints coming together to move like a powerful tidal wave. At some point every analogy breaks down, but try this one: a bear cub. Baby bear cubs are cute, cuddly, and basically defenseless. But when that cub calls out for Mama Bear…
That’s what prayer is like.
National Day of Prayer 2014
Next Thursday, May 1 2014, is the 63rd National Day of Prayer. Now we all know I’m not going to recite the Lord’s Prayer while humming the National Anthem, but let’s be honest. Christians from all denominations across the country are making a concerted effort to pray together – this is a good thing.
Today’s Verse of the Day is Hebrews 7:25 which reminds us we draw near to God through Jesus Christ and no other way. We pray in Jesus’ name because as our great High Priest is our advocate with the Father and ever lives to make intercession. Continue reading
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid
You may have noticed a new look at Bible Gateway. More changes are currently in beta and the look and functionality will soon be revised again. Like WordPress and many other sites, Bible Gateway is adapting to take greater advantage of social media. Everything is now cross-promoted across multiple outlets; which brings me to my Blogger Grid announcement. Continue reading
Is the Pope a False Teacher?
As Christian blogs go Tim Challies is one of the bigs. He’s a Canadian blogger who some think has a become a slave to his own success. He’s linked in my own sidebar and I make reference to his writing from time to time. By his own claim he is “Informing the Reformed” but I’ve never encountered him being hyper-calvinist. He has raised a few red flags with his current series on false teachers, most notably by calling out Pope Francis. While mentioning Francis specifically he really means all popes and the entire Catholic Church as a promoter of a false gospel. You can read his original post here. Continue reading
Happy Monday
Mondays are like that.
Holy Week has come and gone but Eastertide will last until Pentecost Sunday. There may still be some Resurrection pics and verses laying around, hope everyone’s okay with that. So, let the Happy Monday begin! Continue reading
Resurrection Sunday
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24 ESV)
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday, also known as Black Saturday and The Great Sabbath. Coffee with Jesus is usually good for a laugh, but the cartoon below from 2012 really strikes a solemn tone.
Thoughts on Holy Week: Good Friday
If this is the day Jesus died, why is today good?
In the sense it is used good means holy when we say Good Friday. It is also called Great Friday, Holy Friday and Easter Friday in other traditions around the world. This is the day we commemorate Jesus as the atoning sacrifice. Holy Week is a time of preparation and consecration that seeks to take things one step at a time. Don’t jump ahead to the celebration; today is about the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Today we observe the crucified savior. If you’ve been reading the Gospel accounts all week, save that last chapter for Sunday. Continue reading
It’s Friday
