Following Jesus – Page 32

Morning Musing: John 16:7

July 25, 2024Leave a comment

“Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

There’s no tired quite like camp tired. Day three of camp is in the books. Everyone is moving just a bit more slowly than they were at the beginning of the week. Getting up is just a little harder than it was the day before. But the fun hasn’t stopped, the learning is ongoing, and this afternoon will bring a wild (and probably wet) relay race that is the highlight of the week each year. As we continue to reflect on the wow gifts God gives, yesterday we talked about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here’s a taste of what we covered.

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Morning Musing: James 1:16-18

July 23, 2024Leave a comment

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I’m away chaperoning camp this week with some of our awesome kids. I’ll still plan to post something each day, but it is going to be short and not about Exodus. Instead, I’ll give you a look into what we will be talking about this week. The theme for the week is Wow Factor, and we’re talking about the kind of things God does for us that make us say, “Wow!” First up and as we talked about tonight, God gives us good gifts.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 13:1

July 19, 2024July 19, 20242 Comments

“Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

We don’t know what’s coming next. We can’t. Technically speaking, everything that happens is a surprise. Some of it is less surprising than others; some falls more in line with our predictions, but none of it we can say we knew with absolute certainty because, again, we don’t know what’s coming next. The result of this is that sometimes a moment occurs that changes everything. Sometimes a moment occurs that, rather than passing unremarkably by us like so many other moments do, will instantly become fixed in our minds such that we will always know where we were when it happened. The country experienced such a moment this past Saturday, and we were millimeters away from its being an even more transformative moment than it was. Somebody took a shot at former President, Donald Trump, and managed to graze his ear. In doing so, we experienced a moment that likely and perhaps permanently impacted the outcome of the presidential race, the next four years of history, and possibly much more than that. Let’s reflect on what we experienced, what some of the reactions have been, and what all of this might mean for followers of Jesus.

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Digging in Deeper: Colossians 3:12-13

July 13, 2024July 26, 2024Leave a comment

“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

July 9, 20241 Comment

“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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