In God We Trust: Let’s Be Honest

Posted on by

Quick thought: I heard a preacher this morning say that “In God We Trust” is printed on all our money, and that must really tick God off.

I’ve wondered before how much longer that was going to last.  In all honesty I can’t believe our printed bills and minted coins still I have that on them.  Some ridiculous things have occurred in the name of separation of church and state.  We don’t live in a theocracy, but in a free country, and I understand that well.  Michael Spencer said that mixing church and state is kind of like mixing dog crap with ice cream; you can’t make the crap any better but it sure does ruin your ice cream!

What do you think: Is it to our credit that our money bears “In God We Trust” or is it just a lie?  Remember, this is our money we’re talking about.  We know what Americans really trust.

Lord of History

Posted on by

When God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, he knows that Pharaoh will not let the Hebrews go “unless compelled by a mighty hand.”  God has a series of signs and wonders in store for Egypt.  There comes a point when Pharaoh would have been willing to let them go and we’re told that God hardened his heart, because he was not done demonstrating his power.  It was all part of God’s plan.

I did not intend to preach a sermon featuring 9/11 on the 10th anniversary.  I decided to use text from Genesis 15, when God met with Abram (not yet Abraham) and renewed his covenant to make of him a great nation.  God explains that it will not happen right away; as a matter of fact it will not happen for another 400 years.

Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.  But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.  Gen. 15:13-14

Continue reading →

Blogroll: Meeting in the Clouds

Posted on by

From time to time the old blogroll just has to be updated.  The blogs listed at right are ones that I read and would recommend to others.  Sometimes a good blog I enjoy reading fades away.  If you haven’t posted in the past 6 or 12 months, then you’re really not blogging.  I had one blog friend that just quit; he claimed there were hundreds of goods blogs on the internet and writing another would be irrelevant.  I sometimes reluctantly edit my listings.

On a brighter note, I sometimes make and then add new blog friends. Meeting in the Clouds has been on my blog roll for a while, but hasn’t been introduced yet.  The author identifies herself only as Cloudwatcher.  Originally from England, she now lives in Australia with her husband of 50+ years.   The visual style of her blog is very different than mine, but I have found her to be very insightful.  Well versed in scripture and eternally the optimist, her blog is certainly worth a look.

Life in Mordor, My “Other” Other Blog

Posted on by

I blog religion and theology on this site, The Master’s Table.  My Other Blog is filled with YouTube clips, funny pictures and random entries on life, sports, television shows I’m watching and the weather.  (Everybody blogs about the weather…)

I occasionally join Mike F. and Joe Derbes in a group project titled Life in Mordor.  My latest contribution is The Gospel According to Allegory.  Check out some Mike and Joe stuff while you’re there; comments and link love would be greatly appreciated.

What Makes Us Stronger: Perspective On 9/11

Posted on by

The goal of terrorism is to disrupt the normal activities of a group by paralyzing its members with fear.  A decade later we can look back on the terror attacks of 9/11 with both historic and Christian perspective.

The World Trade Center towers in New York represented the financial strength of capitalism.  The Pentagon in D.C. is the headquarters of our nation’s military prowess.  And while the target of Flight 93 is subject to speculation, the White House and Capitol buildings are the literal seat of our Federal Government.  Not only would large numbers of individuals be injured and killed, our very institutions would also be under attack.  Nearly 3,000 lives ended as a direct result of terrorist action, a reality that should not be downplayed.  But in another sense the ultimate goal of the 9/11 terrorists was never achieved.   Continue reading →

A Royal Priesthood

Posted on by

If you’re a follower, online or in real life, you know how I feel about the Old Testament: everything is a metaphor.  The nation of Israel, sacrificial system, temple, alter, high priest, exodus from Egypt, brass serpent, passover, circumcision, etc. are all symbolic of what Christ does in the New Testament.  You’ve probably heard me say (or at least read) that Moses leading the Hebrews through the wilderness is a portrait of Jesus leading us through this present wilderness.  They were marching toward the “promised land” and so are we.  Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac… you get the point.  Is there an analogy left that I could possibly make?  Why yes, yes there is.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  –1 Peter 2:9

We – all Christians – are priests.   Continue reading →

Did God Need to Rest?

Posted on by

God created the heavens and earth in six days, made man in his own image, and on the seventh day Genesis 2 says he rested.  He blessed the seventh day, made it holy, and rested.  Everything but man was spoken into existence.  He is infinite, almighty God; did one week of talking a lot really wear him out?

In the first place, the text doesn’t say he collapsed from exhaustion.  There is a difference between dropping dead and taking a break.  Rest is a gift.  Recall that when criticized for breaking the Sabbath by doing good works Jesus points out that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  (ref)  One need not be on the verge of collapse to rest, but that’s still not even the point.

God did not rest because he was tired.  God leads by example.   Continue reading →

The Star Trek Sermon

Posted on by

I’m a Trekkie.  I don’t think it’s ever come up here before, but I make no apologies for being a big fan.  I don’t have a Star Fleet uniform or anything, but do enjoy most of the series.  The original Star Trek aired on NBC from 1966 – 69.  That series made social and political commentary, sometimes dealing with very controversial issues, but in a sci-fi setting.  Gene Roddenberry wanted to share his vision for a better world, a world of peace and racial equality, not just entertain an audience.  There was always a “moral of the story” but some people were so entertained they were unaware of being educated.

Each Trek series has at least one character wrestling with the idea of being human.   Continue reading →

The Gospel 360

Posted on by

There are 360 degrees in a complete circle.  Relating your conclusion to the introduction when making a speech is a good way to tie everything up neatly.  If you finish your career the way you started, or move back home after relocating many times, we say you have come “full circle.”  Jesus begins and ends his ministry on earth the same way – sharing the Gospel. Continue reading →

The Foolishness of the Cross

Posted on by

Paul wrote to the Corinthians “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Cor 1:18, KJV)

This is one of those occasions where I prefer the King James translation.  The ESV uses word of the cross instead of preaching, and chooses folly over foolishness.  The meaning is unchanged.  For those of us that have been Christians for many years, or perhaps in church our whole lives, we worship at the foot of the cross.  We sing hymns about the cross, decorate our churches with images of the cross; we glory in the crucified savoir.  Paul reminds us to never loose sight of the fact that to the world, to the unsaved, to those hearing the gospel for the first time – it sounds foolish. Continue reading →