Oddly enough, the Old Testament book of Joel hatches from an infestation of insects – more specifically, a swarm of locusts so efficiently devastating the countryside of Israel that famine and starvation are very real possibilities. By Joel’s reckoning, the buzzing disaster swarms large in divine judgment upon the Lord’s sinful people, who eventually getContinue reading “‘Those Days’ Are Now ‘These Days’”
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
Many Gifts, Common Good
The more things change, the more they stay the same – or so goes the clichéd formula. But you’d think followers of Jesus, empowered as we are by the promise of God’s Holy Spirit in Christ, would enjoy immunity from such apathy and inaction. After all, the flagship of Presbyterian faith anchors deep in long-heldContinue reading “Many Gifts, Common Good”
Faith by Walking Around
In his multi-chapter lead-up to this morning’s lesson, the apostle Paul employs breathtaking language to explain first to the Ephesians and now to us God’s plan of salvation. God firmly intends, Paul writes, “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under Christ” (1:10). Heaven’s plan begins with God saving humanity “by graceContinue reading “Faith by Walking Around”
Who Fixed the Roof?
When Mark is your Gospel pilot, best you buckle your seat belts tight. For he takes off into the story of God with us on a short runway, and it’s wheels-up before you know it. As we’ll hear shortly, Mark at the start is a man of few words. He wastes no time launching usContinue reading “Who Fixed the Roof?”
Upside Down and Backwards
John 3:16 – “for God so loved” – one of the most familiar and recognizable verses of the New Testament. The statement is full and true on its own, but like all Scripture, you miss out on a lot when you avoid drinking-in the intoxicating concoction of verses that come before and after. The popularContinue reading “Upside Down and Backwards”
In Case You Ever Wonder
For these Sundays of the Easter season, our Scripture lessons are speaking to us about the gift of the Holy Spirit – all in preparation for the annual celebration of the Spirit’s appearance to Christ’s followers on Pentecost. Last Sunday, from the Gospel of John, we heard Jesus make a profound promise to his closestContinue reading “In Case You Ever Wonder”
Holy Spirit Stuff
Certain sects of Christianity are sometimes accused of being a lightweights when it comes to championing a robust theology of the Holy Spirit. This morning’s Word of the Lord tearfully reminds the faithful how vital the Holy Spirit is in our lives and precisely why we need the Spirit of God in Christ. Understand, first,Continue reading “Holy Spirit Stuff”
Crunch, Crunch
Strained, toxic, lethal. Fragile, hostile, disrespectful. Fleeting, controlling, intimidating. Violent, dependent, dishonest. Rude, crude, and unacceptable. Such are the gloomy descriptors of many current-day relationships between spouses and family members, boyfriends and girlfriends, roommates and significant others, acquaintances and next-door neighbors, co-workers and classmates, politicians and citizens. But in the Kingdom of God, where unconditionalContinue reading “Crunch, Crunch”
For God So Loved Nineveh
I know there’s at least one of you who’s been reading ahead in the story of Jonah. And that’s OK. It’s a good thing, really. Eager hunger for Scripture is a really, really good thing. And the story of seafaring Jonah is a voracious page-turner, as we’ve discovered in the nourishment of the Old TestamentContinue reading “For God So Loved Nineveh”
A Soldier, an Athlete, and a Farmer
The apostle Paul, for more than a month of Sundays, has been serving as our explainer-in-chief of any and all matters related to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Here’s where we’ve been: First to the Romans and now to us, Paul weaves a stunning daisy chain of faith and belief: We can rejoice inContinue reading “A Soldier, an Athlete, and a Farmer”