"American Christian nationalism calls us to take up the power of the sword, gain more power, and use it to protect and promote our way of life. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and use our power to serve others, especially those who are not like us. When things seem out of control, … Continue reading Quote of Note #184: The Power of the Cross or the Power of the Sword?
Tag: Religion and Spirituality
Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ
"But the truth is that there is enough time and enough wealth to go around. The people in the churches every Sunday outnumber the people who are on the streets and the number of people who are on welfare. If the church took up the responsibility of caring for the poor, of living internationally, of … Continue reading Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ
Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
"I quickly came to understand that non-violence takes more strength than violence--and it takes more than just human strength. It takes God's strength working in human beings to produce self-control, gentleness, and the other fruit of the Holy Spirit. God's power comes in our weakness and brokenness." John M. Perkins, Dream With Me: Race, Love, … Continue reading Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible
When reading the Bible, do you ever find yourself convicted about some sin in your life? Do you find that the Bible sometimes points out something about the way you’re living that just isn’t right with God? That’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? Let me suggest a surefire way to keep that from happening. Try to always … Continue reading Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible
Quote of Note #181: Political Idolatry
"That American Christians are known among many not for our primary allegiance to God's kingdom, but rather for our allegiance to wealth, power, and voting blocs suggests that the very fabric of our churches has become idolatrous. Thus the idols plaguing the American church are not made of wood, metal, or stone, but instead lie … Continue reading Quote of Note #181: Political Idolatry
Pastor Note #136: Cable News Networks Are Evil
What follows will read like a rant. I’m sorry about that. Try not to traffic in rants. So, let me ask that you take it as a plea—a plea from the heart of a pastor who is concerned for your spiritual well-being. If you watch more than an hour or so of some 24-hour cable … Continue reading Pastor Note #136: Cable News Networks Are Evil
Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
"In culturally polarized times, it can be tempting to find comfort in a partisan Christ who will place a halo over our politics. But the biblical Jesus calls us to renounce the world and follow him--to allow the gospel to lead us." Jonathan K. Dodson, The Unwavering Pastor: Leading the Church with Grace in Divisive … Continue reading Quote of Note #180: The Christian & Partisan Politics
Quote of Note #179: Spiritual Wisdom and Justice
"Spiritual wisdom is false unless it goes beyond pious sacrifices and regulated worship services and enters into the bloodstream of society by giving justice to the downtrodden, the lonely, and the destitute, and ending the oppression of social outcasts (Isaiah 1:10-20; 29:13-24; 58-59; Amos 5-6; Micah 2-3, 6)." Calvin G. Seerveld, Biblical Studies and Wisdom … Continue reading Quote of Note #179: Spiritual Wisdom and Justice
Quote of Note #173: The God Who Speaks to Us
"Even when the Word of God strikes a man without warning, when there is a sudden conversion, and inner call, which changes all at once the direction of his life, he perceives that God has been speaking to him for a long time, that the dialogue was already going on in the darkness of the … Continue reading Quote of Note #173: The God Who Speaks to Us
Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor
“Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law. Grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[1] Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he … Continue reading Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor
