The Centurion at the Cross--A Lenten MeditationRead Mark 15, especially verse 39 photo by GAC. The centurion had been summoned by the garrison commander. There was nothing particularly unusual about that. The centurion was one of the senior officers in the cohort that was stationed at the fortress in Jerusalem. Of course, all the centurions … Continue reading Bible Note #44: The Centurion at the Cross–A Lenten Meditation
Tag: Christianity
Quote of Note #116: Running to God with our Darkest Miseries
Flagstaff, AZ; photo by GAC "[God] isn't like you. Even the most intense of human love is but the faintest echo of heaven's cascading abundance. His heartful thoughts of you outstrip what you can conceive. He intends to restore you into the radiant resplendence for which you were created. And that is dependent not on … Continue reading Quote of Note #116: Running to God with our Darkest Miseries
Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
"The mother of all sin is pride. Those who are being harsh and critical think they are right. In fact, they are certain they are right. Fools are filled with pride. 'I don't really care about you and what you think,' the fool tells himself. 'It's my view or no view!' As Proverbs 18:2 puts … Continue reading Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words
Pastor Note #95: A Declaration of Easter
A Declaration of Easter At Christmas we sing a song with these words: No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found. The resurrection of Jesus is the first expression of the fulfillment … Continue reading Pastor Note #95: A Declaration of Easter
Quote of Note #99: Worry and God’s Strength for the Day
"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength--carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow--it empties today of its strength. . . . Jesus is stronger than all of our problems." Corrie ten Boom, He Cares, He Comforts: In Sickness and In … Continue reading Quote of Note #99: Worry and God’s Strength for the Day
Quote of Note #97: Comfort in All Times of Need
Question 26: What do you believe when you say, "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth"? Answer: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, … Continue reading Quote of Note #97: Comfort in All Times of Need
Pastor Note #91: Loving our Enemies and Gospel Faithfulness
The command to love one’s enemies is the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and an attack on that Christian imperative is an attack on the gospel itself. There can be a tendency common to most Christians to distinguish between doctrine and ethics/morality. We can tend to think of the doctrines of the gospel … Continue reading Pastor Note #91: Loving our Enemies and Gospel Faithfulness
Pastor Note #90: The Fearless Church
Fear can be a distressingly common feature of church life across America. The Bible is quite clear on this point. The only proper source of fear for Christians should be God. Nothing else in all creation should cause us fear. Of course, I know what it is to feel fear and anxiety. As do, I … Continue reading Pastor Note #90: The Fearless Church
Quote of Note #90: Grace for Neighbors. . . and Enemies
"To be people of amazing grace is to see ourselves as recipients of kindness and understanding not owed to us, and if we really believe it's been lavished upon us undeservedly, maybe we can lavish a little upon the people we find ourselves least inclined to view generously. If we're showering only the people we … Continue reading Quote of Note #90: Grace for Neighbors. . . and Enemies
Pastor Note #89: God’s Love–Undeserved and Uncomfortable
The love of God is a rich, warm, comforting promise that he assures us of in his word repeatedly. For example, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) What makes that promise of his love … Continue reading Pastor Note #89: God’s Love–Undeserved and Uncomfortable
