“He is not here; he has risen!” -Luke 24:6a, NIV Today, we celebrate Jesus rising from the grave. It is Resurrection Sunday. One lesson from Resurrection Sunday is that death is not the end. It is merely the beginning of life for those who are in Christ. Sin and death do not get the last … Continue reading “Easter-Death Is NOT The End!”
Author: Divorce Minister
Repentance And Restitution
“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.” -Exodus 22:7, NIV But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I … Continue reading “Repentance And Restitution”
Good Friday, Proof That Sin Is Serious Stuff!
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” -Matthew 27:22, NIV Sin is serious stuff! It is not the sort of thing that God sweeps under the rug. God does not turn a blind-eye to sin. His character requires justice is done. The debt must … Continue reading “Good Friday, Proof That Sin Is Serious Stuff!”
Values Irony
This song is part of the soundtrack from my childhood. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by The Cathedrals would play on the car audio system on our many holiday trips to and from my grandparent’s home in Mt. Lake, MN. Often, I would fall to sleep to these beautiful lyrics about God’s faithfulness and unchanging ways. … Continue reading “Values Irony”
Misreading “The Unmerciful Servant Parable”
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants….” -Matthew 18:23, NIV This is the opening verse to a famous parable Jesus told to illustrate our need to forgive others. It is often labeled something like “The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant” or something like that. Here … Continue reading “Misreading “The Unmerciful Servant Parable””
A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah
7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop … Continue reading “A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah”
Forgiving My Ex
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Yesterday’s passage (John 20:21-23) and post has led me to rethink the question of whether or not I have forgiven my ex-wife. When I was going through my ecclesiastical trial to retain my minister’s license, this was one of the questions being asked of me. Namely, they asked me if I had forgiven my … Continue reading “Forgiving My Ex”
Forgiveness Power
Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” -John 20:21-23, NLT (emphasis mine) This authority Jesus … Continue reading “Forgiveness Power”
Fueling Cynicism: Tullian Tchividjian’s Story Continuing To Unravel
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. -Proverbs 18:17, NIV This verse has a particularly unhappy history with me. It is a verse that was part of the instructions for ministers applying The Divorce Policy Exception process to a divorced minister in the EFCA. Essentially, the quotation … Continue reading “Fueling Cynicism: Tullian Tchividjian’s Story Continuing To Unravel”
Liars lie.
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” -John 8:44, … Continue reading “Liars lie.”