Three Metaphors for the Christ-Follower
The pages of scripture are replete with metaphor. God frequently speaks metaphorically to his people, using metaphor with and through the old covenant prophets. Jesus teaches in metaphor through parables. The apostle Paul writes with metaphor. For those not familiar with metaphor, it is a figure of speech that is applied to something to suggest…
Read MoreJesus is Not an Egomaniac
I don’t know that I can identify a single verse of scripture that I would label as my over-all favorite. I don’t have a “life verse” and am not even certain I know what it means to have one. But if I could identify my top forty or fifty verses in the Bible, one of…
Read MoreA Steak for the Church’s Black Eye
Automobile salespeople. Ambulance-chasing attorneys. Members of the United States Congress. Does it make you cringe to read that list? There is a reputation tied to each of those professions that ranks them at the bottom of the ladder of public trust. That reputation is not unearned. The church. For some, the church is every bit…
Read MoreHow to Conquer Death in Eight Easy Steps
Few things frighten humans more than our own mortality. This really should not be the case for the Christ-follower, but many of us are wired up to fear what we don’t know, and even though Jesus has told us, and we believe him, we don’t really know until we get there. Today, we will look at, and…
Read MoreStand With the Accused
“And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved,” said Jesus (Mark 13:13). The reality of Jesus’ warning is what underlies my strong belief in counting the cost of discipleship with those who are considering a walk with Jesus as his disciple.…
Read MoreAbide
Recently, Alean and I were introduced to Abide, a daily meditation, always under three minutes, and quite good. You can investigate it here: Abide. You will find their meditations well-produced, thought-provoking, and very relaxing. Abide is somewhat of an archaic term – not one we use today in casual conversation. To abide is to live or…
Read MoreWho is Jesus? (Part 7)
Today, we close our look at the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. Over the course of this seven-week journey, we have seen Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate to the sheepfold, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and…
Read MoreWho is Jesus? (Part 6)
We are nearing the end of our look at the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. To date, we have seen Jesus as the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate to the sheepfold, the good shepherd, and the resurrection and the life! This week, he is the way,…
Read MoreWho is Jesus? (Part 5)
This week, in our look at the seven “I AMs” of Jesus in John’s gospel, we see one of my favorites. Thus far, Jesus has said he is the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate to the sheepfold, and the good shepherd. This week, Jesus is the resurrection and the life!…
Read More