We live in a crazy, polarized world. Politics, socioeconomics, and culture pull us apart. Even in Christian circles, with thousands of sects and denominations, we sometimes live as if it’s us versus them. Why is this? We all want to belong, to be accepted by a group or movement larger than ourselves. To achieve this, we define our identity with the groups we associate with. In this, two forms of idolatry emerge: pride and envy. But God has a better way. Pride: you must become like me If we naturally gravitate towards like-minded people, how do we handle those different […]
Category Archives: Other
Remembering in Mind and Action
Today is Memorial Day, a holiday in the U.S. to remember the fallen service members of our military. There are many events and people in life worth remembering. What are some of your most important memories? Why are they worth remembering? What does it even mean for us to “remember”? Reacting to our recollection A few weeks ago it was Mother’s Day. Imagine you woke up and noticed the date marked on your calendar but carried on with your normal day. The next day you get a call from your mom, upset, “Did you forget yesterday was Mother’s Day?” “No,” […]
The Holy Weight of Glory
About a week ago I was one of millions who traveled to experience a rare opportunity: a total solar eclipse. I had heard that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and indeed, it was amazing. While I gazed at the spectacle above, I couldn’t help but think of what Moses might have felt in Exodus 33:18-23. There, Moses asked to see God’s glory. God responded by eclipsing himself while he passed by, allowing Moses only a glimpse at his back. Even that limited encounter (and time with God atop Mount Sinai) caused an afterglow (or “horns”) on Moses’ head days afterward […]
A Mouthful of Meditation
Chewing cud What a joy to watch deer peacefully chewing their cud – not an everyday sight for most people. Watch the video carefully to see her pause from chewing, swallow, then something moves back up her neck, her cheeks bulge, and she resumes chewing! This was especially interesting to observe today, as the Torah reading in synagogues around the world includes the Deuteronomy passage that defines what makes an animal kosher for Jews to eat. One characteristic is having a split hoof, and a second is chewing cud (Deuteronomy 14:6). Consuming commandments A second-century interpretation of Moses’ teaching connects […]
Remembering God’s Wedding at Pentecost
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Christians remember the events recorded in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit filled those gathered at “the house” (aka The Temple). This gift of the Holy Spirit is so important to remember, but there’s even more to celebrate! Many Christians do not realize that Pentecost is one of the three pilgrimage feasts of the LORD, mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:16 as the Feast of Weeks. Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, Jewish people gathered for this celebration in Jerusalem and God sent his Spirit. Originally a festival for the wheat harvest, at the time of Jesus it also […]
Who is included in God’s family?
Often in Christian circles, we’ll toss around the idea of being a “child of God” or being included in God’s family. What does this mean? While God made everyone in his image, is everyone a child of God? Are some included and others excluded? If so, who? Sons of Abraham God has always desired a relationship with all people. However, we have the tendency not to reciprocate, preferring our own way. From the time of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) through the rebellion at Babel (Genesis 11), people distanced themselves from God. As a result, God chose one family line, […]
Cloudy with a Good Chance of Son
In last week’s post, we looked at biblical kingship. When did Jesus ascend to his throne? In one sense, Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of his kingly accession. The final stage is his ascension to the right hand of God forty days after his resurrection. Unfortunately, Ascension Day is usually ignored in the US. In some other countries, it is a public holiday! This year it falls on May 18. Celebrate his exaltation and enthronement — it’s a big deal! The apostle Paul reflects on Jesus’ exaltation: Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to […]
Swear Allegiance to the Anointed King?
Yesterday (May 6) the coronation of the UK’s new king, Charles III, dazzled the world with a millennium of tradition behind its pomp and pageantry. The last coronation was nearly seventy years ago for the new king’s mother, so the rareness of this spectacle increases its significance. The monarchy no longer has political power but symbolically heads both the state and the Church of England. What lessons on biblical kingship can we learn? In ancient Israel, the kings were political and spiritual leaders, not just figureheads. Did God plan for Israel to have kings? When God delivered Israel out of […]
Sowing for the Spirit, Reaping Righteousness
You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. Leviticus 23:15 The seven weeks between Passover and Pentecost are known as the Counting of the Omer. While we usually count down the number of days to an event, this counts up the number of days since Passover. This parallels the growth seen in the grain fields. Reaping a Harvest This is the time of year that the grains in Israel ripen and are harvested. Besides seeing small gardens, if you are like me, your life […]
What Was Jesus’ Life Mission?
If someone asked you why Jesus came to earth, how would you respond? Maybe you’d include some of the points found in the Nicene Creed: [Jesus], who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the […]