Forgiveness
The Forgiving Finger of God
One of the great difficulties for many to get beyond is the posture of viewing God as against us, accusing us, waiting in eager anticipation for our next stumble. God is viewed as endlessly shoving his finger in our faces, expressing his disappointment in (if not anger toward) how poorly we measure up. It is…
Read MoreSurely Jesus Didn’t Mean That (Part 2)
In the tenth chapter of Luke’s gospel, and the twenty-second chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we find Jesus speaking of the greatest and second-greatest commandments. The greatest commandment, of course, is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Luke’s rendering includes all your strength. The second…
Read MoreSurely Jesus Didn’t Really Mean That (Part 1)
I am not a politician, though I did once run for public office, and seriously doubt I will ever do so again. It is too messy. I even got so far as to serve as the County Vice-Chair for a major political party. I have been unaffiliated for about ten years now. The more deeply…
Read MoreChrist-Follower, You are NOT Guilty and NOT Condemned
We have a new kitten in our home. I named him Sebastien, but we are thinking his real name should be “Stinker,” because he is quite mischievous. Sebastien was a feral kitten, being carried in his mother’s mouth as she and the family crossed a busy street in Salina, Kansas. While crossing, an automobile struck…
Read MoreComing Full-Circle Through Four Gardens
Beautiful Gardens Just to the north of where Alean and I live is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sites you can ever hope to visit. One hundred and six years in the making, the Butchart Gardens inspire awe from everyone who sees them. If you have not seen them, a trip to Victoria, British…
Read MoreFive Attributes of Our Relentless Pursuit of Holiness
“Holy non-sequiturs, Batman!” exclaimed Robin. Burt Ward (Robin) proclaimed holiness over more tangible items and bizarre circumstances than my feeble mind can dream up or imagine, addressing targets ranging from “Holy Agility” to “Holy Zoro.” Wikipedia notes 368 “Holy ___ ” exclamations made by Ward over the three seasons the original Batman series ran (1966-1968).…
Read MoreWashed Whiter Than
Isaiah opens his prophecy describing Israel as a terribly rebellious nation. We get no further than the opening statement before we have God’s lament, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.” So extensive is their alienation from their creator that God says, “An ox knows its owner, and a…
Read MoreMemory Upgrade
One of my favorite books is The Valley of Vision. It is a collection of Puritan prayers, and if you’re not familiar with them, I can say only that they are gut-wrenching prayers, brimming with the theology of the Puritans. I try to read through one each morning, pondering its meaning and application as I sip…
Read MoreNever Let Them See You Sweat
I was born and raised in Kansas. I didn’t move to the Pacific Northwest until 1991. Last week I made a ten-day visit to Kansas and confirmed that having lived for two decades in Washington State, I have completed the transformation from “tough guy” to “Washington Weenie.” It was hot and humid! I was borderline…
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