Tag: Christian living

Digging in Deeper: Colossians 3:12-13

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” (CSB – Read the chapter) ‬‬

Yesterday was a family day, and family comes first. So, with a rare Saturday post, here’s the final post for this week. One of the great things about the Gospel story is that it lies at the heart of nearly all of the stories we tell. That’s why I am able to write up reviews of so many different series and movies from the standpoint of their Gospel connection. Sometimes you have to look a little harder than others, but it’s nearly always there. Looking for these connections allows us to engage with the stories we tell through the lens of what is true. The latest opportunity I’ve had to do this is with the latest entry in the Despicable Me series. Let’s talk about Despicable Me 4.

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Digging in Deeper: Exodus 28:6-14

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“They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purpose, and scarlet yarn. It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges so that it can be joined together. The artistically woven waistband that is on the ephod must be of one piece, according to the same workmanship of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and of finely spun linen. Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel’s sons: six of their names on the first stone and the remaining six names on the second stone, in the order of their birth. Engrave the two stones with the names of Israel’s sons as a gem cutter engraves a seal. Mount them, surrounded with gold filigree settings. Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the Israelites. Aaron will carry their names on his two shoulders before the Lord as a reminder. Fashion gold filigree settings and two chains of pure gold; you will make them of braided cord work, and attach the cord chains to the settings.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to go to the World War I museum in Kansas City. It is a truly world class exhibit that boasts one of, if not the largest collection of artifacts from the war they said would end all wars, in the world. One of the things that caught my eye on the tour were all the different ceremonial military outfits from all the different nations that participated in the conflict. There were some that struck me as regal and others that just seemed silly. Yet each was designed on purpose and in line with what the cultures that produced them believed would communicate well the weight of the position they represented. Sometimes we understand why people wear what they do. Sometimes we don’t. That doesn’t mean the people wearing it don’t. Let’s keep that in mind as we start talking about Israel’s priestly garments.

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The End Is Near

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This week we are kicking off a new teaching series. Next week we’ll be off again. After that, though, we’ll finish the last four weeks of this series. In the apostle Peter’s final letter, he asks a question that is critical for followers of Jesus to answer. In light of Jesus’ forthcoming return and the end of the world it will bring with it, who do we want to be? If Jesus really is coming back, what kind of lives should we be living? In our new series, Who Do You Want to Be, we are going to explore some of the ways we should be living as followers of Jesus in a world that won’t last forever. We’ll start today by taking a look at Peter’s question and why it matters so much.

The End Is Near

Have you ever met someone who was so convinced of some future event that they were willing to make dramatic adjustments to their life and the lives of their family members in light of it? One such group of folks are colloquially called “Preppers.” That’s short for Doomsday Preppers. These folks may look normal—or maybe not—but they hide a secret. Everything they do, they do with the idea in mind that the world is going to end sometime soon, and they’re going to be ready for it. And if you choose not to get ready yourself, don’t come crawling to them when you’re out of food and water and the zombie hordes are threatening to bust down your doors and you don’t have sufficient firepower to hold them off. That’s your fault, not theirs. 

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Morning Musing: Exodus 24:9-11

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“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of israel’s elders, and they saw the God of Israel. Beneath his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw him, and they ate and drank.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Starting out something new with God feels good. It’s exciting. We pour ourselves into it and into Him. Everything is going just as it’s supposed to go. Now, this doesn’t mean everything is going to stay that way. But getting off on the right foot is better than getting off on the wrong one. This next passage is unexpected and, honestly, kind of weird. But it’s pretty important. Let’s talk about why and what’s going on here.

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Morning Musing: Hebrews 11:14-16

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“Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (CSB – Read the chapter)‬‬

I’ve spent the last week away from home. Today we’re traveling back. I’m looking forward to that. It’ll be good getting back to my own bed and my own stuff and the people with whom I spend the most time other than my immediate family. Yet in being away from home, I’ve gotten to spend a week in the place and with the people who were my home for what was still most of my life (although I’m close to crossing the line where that won’t be the case any longer). It’s all got me thinking about what home means and where exactly home is. Let’s talk about it for a bit.

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