The Gospel–Whole or Partial?

Do we want the whole gospel?  Or will we pick and choose gospel-elements that seem most helpful or pertinent to us?  Will we settle for less than the Messiah Jesus intended in his life, death and resurrection?  Or will we, by grace, pursue and expect a new way of living as human beings that requires …

TO STAND UP TO STAND WITH

Followers of Messiah Jesus know that the world is often upside down and inside out relative to the Kingdom of God. We expect therefore to encounter hatred not love; selfishness not sacrifice; violence not gentleness; and bearing of crosses not crowns. We expect this because we are followers of Jesus.  In recent days, followers of …

A Barren Tree and a Barren Temple

Why did Jesus pick on the poor fig tree?  Especially when it wasn’t time for figs to be ripe?  Well, Mark tells us Jesus was hungry (Mark 11:12).  Apparently, then, Jesus became “hangry?”  He saw the leaves and went to see if by chance this tree fruited earlier than usual.  Then, when it didn’t, Jesus …

God is STILL on the Throne! ?

It is common for people of faith to respond to tragedy and threat by affirming: “God is still on the Throne!”  I take this to mean that whatever has happened or is happening has not defeated God, nor surprised God, and has not called into question God’s ability or willingness to help.  What has happened …

Fight Pandemic with Pandemic

As we all know, the word “pandemic” has become synonymous with terms like “plague, scourge, and disease” and therefore conjures up a sense of dire threat.  But “pandemic” is actually an adjective that qualifies something else as “widespread, prevalent, pervasive, universal, global.”  “Pan” means “all,” and “Demos,” means “people.”  When something is pandemic it extends …