What About Mary?
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” This saying has been around a long time and been attributed to several famous and not-so-famous people, but the heart of ring...
A More Excellent Way
A More Excellent Way I can't help thinking of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" when I hear the word "excellent." That word got so overused in the '80's. It became the slang word used for anything one might like or admire. But the word "excellent" is such a wonderful word, and...
Like Father, Like Son
Your theology, whether you know it or not, ALWAYS shows up in your choices, your behaviors, and even your organizational structures. Hey, tell me what your pastor wears on Sunday morning and I can tell you what your theology really is. It's because what we truly believe isn't what we...
Our Saturday Guest Blogpost: Finding the New Testament Church
Finding the New Testament Church by Fr Jon E. Braun Coming off a couple of decades of heightened awareness of our need for a personal knowledge of Christ–notably evidenced through such phenomena as the Jesus Movement and the charismatic renewal–most thinking Christians are realizing something else is needed: the rediscovery...
Oil and Water
"You have to shake it" with those words I got my first instructions on how to handle salad dressing that had oil and vinegar and other seasonings. You have to shake it up because the ingredients just don't normally mix together. Their properties are so different that they just...
Many Sparrows
The gradual shift in modern educational philosophy to a "self esteem" emphasis is nearly complete. From the math standards that discourage teachers from "correcting" incorrect answers to the ball fields where "we don't keep score" so no one "feels" bad, this shift is now producing consequences of its own. To...
An Eye On The Prize
We live in a cynical world, and the dangers of cynicism lie in the deadening effect of cynicism on hope and joy. There is nothing more hopeless and sad than a cynic who simply can't allow himself to believe in something better. The death of faith always comes after the...
The Trailblazer
You've met them before. They are the ones who aren't the center of attention, but they recognize who should be the center of attention and introduce those folks to everyone else. These people seem to have the knack of recognizing who should lead, who should speak, and who should...
Lots To Do
Have you ever looked at your schedule and thought "Wow, how am I ever going to finish all this?" Yea, me too! I sometimes wonder about all our "busyness." Is mere abundance of activity really necessary, or are we doing so much to "hide" from something? Just looking at my...
God Will Judge Secrets
Today we hear that God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:10-16 So Christ and His life will be the standard our secret, inner life will be judged by and measured. Is there anything more important to learn in this life than repentance? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,...