Note: New Podcast Episode and Blog (link below)~ Have you seen the world lately? The pain, the division, the hardship, the anxiety, the threat of war, the evil, the darkness…The Dark Knight trilogy of movies with Batman came to a head with the final release in 2012. People thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be … Continue reading Ready to leave the dark night behind
society
The gospel of our liberated age?
There are times when we humans make simple things difficult and difficult things too simplistic. Mark Bauerlein was speaking to his friends about a group of monks in Vermont who spend most of their time in contemplation and prayer. His friends respected the monks, but were puzzled by them. “It doesn’t occur to them,” Bauerlein writes, “that … Continue reading The gospel of our liberated age?
Who’s changing who?
You sometimes hear it said that as Christians we have three enemies—the world, the flesh and the Devil. The Devil is the Devil. That’s pretty clear. No ambiguity there. The “flesh” is a reference to the internal battle we experience with our own sin and temptation. The “world” is perhaps less understood than the previous … Continue reading Who’s changing who?
Do not be conformed to the world
One of the most well-known verses from the book of Romans is chapter 12, verse 2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” After teaching about … Continue reading Do not be conformed to the world
Stay centred
A man answered a challenge to ride a remote control bull. He got on and started to ride. He thought he was doing pretty well, getting jolted this way and that. It had twelve levels so he was a bit shocked to learn that he had only managed to navigate level one! The operator had … Continue reading Stay centred
Perpetual change and controversy?
Change is everywhere. That was true prior to the pandemic. But that was nothing compared to now. In the past year and a half we’ve experienced (and are experiencing) massive change as we try to adapt to ever-evolving social realities and upheavals. Spinning is not a way to see clearly. We are becoming increasingly polarized … Continue reading Perpetual change and controversy?
Falling out of love with fitting in
In John 15:19 Jesus said this to his disciples: “you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” To understand what he means, we need to know that in this context the phrase “the world” is a way of speaking about … Continue reading Falling out of love with fitting in
Calling on the name of the Lord
The writer of Psalm 116 had experienced trauma—the “griefs of the grave,” as it is stated in the Geneva Bible translation. Whatever his particular affliction, he had called out to God for help, and received it! In gratitude and thanksgiving he said he would “call on the name of the LORD” (verse 13). We’ve heard … Continue reading Calling on the name of the Lord
The whirlwind of argumentativeness
Recently I was asked if I thought our world was becoming more argumentative. Although I don’t have any hard data on the issue, it does often seem to be the case. [If you want my full response to the question you can click on the link below.] What I can say is that:-we are in … Continue reading The whirlwind of argumentativeness
Divisive times
The other day I was thinking about how political a certain issue has become. Why does everything have to be so politicized? Why can’t people respectfully and graciously disagree about something without painting the other person as an enemy? But you and I don’t have to get sucked in to that approach as if it was … Continue reading Divisive times
