Morning Musing: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Leave a comment

“So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

So we have this guarantee in a future hope and resurrection that will make meaningful all the struggles and trials we face in this life. We have a down payment on this future joy in the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts and bringing to bear the various fruits of the Spirit. Because of this, Paul says this weird thing about being away from the Lord and then being with the Lord. What does he mean? 

Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: 2 Corinthians 5:5

Leave a comment

“Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

We’ve been talking for a few days about Paul’s thoughts on life after death now. We’ve talked in particular about this sense of eternality that dwells in the hearts of people. We’ve also talked about the fact that we only gain any substance for this otherwise empty hope in Christ. Apart from Him, we don’t have anything to go on but wishful thinking that plays itself out in a variety of mostly ultimately harmful ways. In Christ, though, things get very much more solid. The reason for this is the Spirit. 

Read the rest…

Morning Musing: 2 Corinthians 5:4

Leave a comment

“Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

On Sunday mornings right now I am taking the congregation I am privileged to pastor through the book of Ecclesiastes. We’re not hitting every verse by any means, but rather some key highlights, as we wrestle with the question of how we can find meaning for our lives that isn’t going to run out on us when the wind starts blowing in a new direction. What does this have to do with what Paul writes here? Well…everything. 

Read the rest…

What I Said This Weekend…

Leave a comment

This past weekend I had the sad honor of presiding over the funeral service for my Grandma, Judy Johnson. She was a wonderful woman who lived a rich, long life. It was indeed a challenge to capture her life in a few words–a challenge made all the harder by how well I knew her. Fortunately, her faith was solid and she’s with Jesus so I have no worries or fear about that. What I did want to share with you, though, is what I said. Thank you for reading this. I pray it might offer you or someone you know the comfort that can only be found in the Gospel.

Read the rest…

Morning Musing: 2 Corinthians 5:2-3

Leave a comment

“Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

One of the currently popular shows on the Discovery Channel is called Naked and Afraid. Admittedly, I’ve never watched it, but from the constant ads for it I’ve seen while watching various other shows on the network, the premise seems to be that one or two people have been dropped off somewhere rugged and remote and have to survive for some amount of time using nothing but a single personal item and their wits. Also, that single personal item is the onlything they have with them. Thus the title of the show. The only thing the ads have convinced me of beyond the show’s total lack of entertainment value is that I don’t think surviving in the wild is supposed to work like that. 

Read the rest…