Theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” Let me explain. Tradition is the “living faith of the dead.” It’s a reference to the dynamic and life-changing Christian faith of those who have gone on before us, and which we remember through certain … Continue reading The dead faith of the living?
advent
Muck on your boots or wind at your back?
When I was in high school I remember walking into a room where painters were working away. I was overwhelmed by the paint fumes. I asked one of them how they could stand all the fumes. He replied, “What fumes?” They had become so used to them that they didn’t even notice anymore! In a similar way, … Continue reading Muck on your boots or wind at your back?
The courage to face ridicule for God
No matter who or how old you are, I’m pretty sure you want your Christmas to be meaningful. And you don’t have to look further than Joseph for some help to do just that. When Joseph married Mary he stepped into a world of ridicule. After all, she would have given birth to Jesus LESS … Continue reading The courage to face ridicule for God
What the seventh seven means for you
Humans were designed for one day of rest per week. They need it to be at their best the other six days. But even if you go to school or work five days a week, the other two days don’t always feel like rest, do they? The bully we call Busy has muscled his way … Continue reading What the seventh seven means for you
The War on Christmas
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father..." (ESV) Today's Thought Is there a war on Christmas? According to some people, there certainly is. The “war on Christmas” phrase sometimes comes up in news stories or conversations … Continue reading The War on Christmas
Scattered scurry masters
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (NIV) Today's Thought Yesterday we walked through December’s door. Today we find ourselves in a world of twinkling lights and overflowing parking lots at the mall. Since I try to be an organized kind of person, I like … Continue reading Scattered scurry masters
The near-cataclysmic brain attack
Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (NIV) Today's Thought It’s hard to wait for things. And our society doesn’t make it any easier. We’re used to getting things pretty much right away. The other day I was in the … Continue reading The near-cataclysmic brain attack
