Posts by Damon J. Gray
Stop Being Shocked by the Worldliness of the World
The rumbles of the Olympic opening ceremony continue as Parisian spokesperson, Anne Deschamps, attempted to throw a little water on the fire by explaining they were trying to celebrate community tolerance. “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.” There is so much wrong with what is…
Read MoreLoving the World While Loving Christ
At least once a week I have to mow my lawn. The routine features a boring sameness each time. I put on icky clothes and icky shoes. I put in my ear plugs to block the noise, pull the machinery out of the shed, manicure the edge of the sidewalk, trim all the borders with…
Read MoreGive Yourself a Break
The one issue that seemed to get Jesus in conflict with the religious aristocracy of his day more than any other issue was Sabbath observance. “This man does not keep the Sabbath!” “This man does what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days…
Read MoreAt God’s Good Pleasure
Language changes over time. I’ll confess, that bugs me. I like words to mean what they mean and to mean that forever. But, the reality is new words are created, old words are redefined, and some words and phrases drop off the charts and are no longer used. No one talks of going to a…
Read MoreStop Putting God First!
There is a cliche in Christianity that produces a cringe within me every time I hear it vocalized or see it in print. Some well-meaning man or woman will say something like, “Well, you just need to make God ‘first’ in your life.” I completely disagree. Not only do I disagree, I contend “putting God…
Read MorePreaching to Spirits in Prison
Many in the online world (think social media) thrive on arguing about eschatology—that branch of theology that studies the end of all things. The arguments are endless and, at times, revealing of the arrogance of those arguing. Occasionally, there is an unmistakable I’ve got it all figured out and the rest of you are idiots attitude. The…
Read MoreWhat Must I Do?
“Familiarity breeds contempt,” so the adage claims. I suggest a parallel truism. Familiarity breeds inattentiveness. I’ll illustrate with a familiar incident in the life of Jesus, one we have read and heard countless times, commonly referred to as “the rich, young ruler.” What Must I Do?” And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must…
Read MoreIn Sprit and in Truth
Several years ago, one of the elders from my local church family took it upon himself to begin meeting with the worship team at 8:00 every Sunday morning for a brief devotional to help prepare them for their part in that morning’s activities. It is his habit to start every devotional time by reminding the…
Read MoreWalking in Absurd Obedience
Our church family has been studying through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings. The sermons have been rich and challenging. We have just entered Jerusalem for the Passover and, as you probably know, Jesus is now just days away from his crucifixion. This past Sunday, I was honored to be allowed to bring the…
Read More