One of my heroes of the faith is Fleming Rutledge, an 86-year-old priest in the Episcopal Church. Her masterful work The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ was named book of the year by Christianity Today in 2015—an amazing achievement for a 78-year-old! As a pastor who regularly leads communion, as well as a sinful guy who just wants … Read More
The Precious Gift of Unity
1Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the … Read More
Heaven’s Proud Reward and Crown, Part 2 of 3
“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our … Read More
Getting Involved in Spiritual Transformation, Part 1 of 4
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Psalm 1:1, ESV In his final book As Kingfishers Catch Fire, Eugene Peterson pointed out that “Psalm 1 stands before the whole Psalter as a kind of prologue. It was likely written last. … Read More
Ten Foundational Beliefs for Building a Christian Legacy, Part 1 of 2
I often grieve for those who’ve fallen off the cliff of life and are in bad sorts, resulting from some unique cocktail of wounds, circumstances beyond their control, personal choices, and/or the chains of some addiction. The good news for them and for all of us is: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed … Read More
Cultivating Eternal Wishes for Others, Part 5 of 5
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” 1 PETER 1:1-2, ESV Over the past … Read More
How Death is a Pre-Fall Reality That Points Us to Christ
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…. (Rom. 5:12, ESV) Recently I was asked in light of the series I did on “How I Changed My Mind About Genesis 1 and Science” the following question: How do evolutionary creationists account for the idea … Read More