Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

If Only (John 11)

His mom said, “I’ll have to vacuum it up.” Phin asked, “How does it get up there?” His mom, thinking he was talking about the bug, said, “They fly.” Phin looked at her in amazement and said, “Vacuums fly?” Continue reading

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Is This How Christians Can Reach the World?

We want to keep our dignity in place and our options open—and dignity and options are not characteristic of slaves and servants. (Or so people think who have never been slaves and servants.) Continue reading

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Don’t Give Up on God (2 Samuel 7)

God hardly ever does things the way we think he should. What kind of kingdom is ruled by a crucified King? Continue reading

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Ungraven Images (Exodus 19-20)

The form we have here comes from the kingdom of the Hittites and the so-called suzerainty treaties that conquered nations were required to sign. But there is a difference: God did not conquer Israel and force them into a treaty. Rather, he rescued them and offered them the choice to be his people. Continue reading

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The Passover: He Delivers (Exodus 12)

He did everything God told him to do … and things got worse! Much worse. And what’s more, the Hebrews blamed him (which is just what Pharaoh intended)! In frustration, Moses lashed out at God. He said (5:22), “Why did you [even] send me? . . . you haven’t rescued your people at all.” Continue reading

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Laughter Will Not Die (Genesis 22)

And now we come to chapter 22 where God’s Plan-Only, which was entirely dependent on a boy named Laughter, was put at risk. And it was God who put it there. Continue reading

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I Wasn’t Seeing Myself Accurately

Most of the photos were candids, though a few were posed. It was at least a month before I saw the pictures and, when I did, I was surprised by what I saw … of myself. Continue reading

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When Adam Jumped into an Abyss (Genesis 3)

…part of the story is left out. It is not just from stone to iron, but from stone-headed axe to iron-tipped spear, from iron-tipped spear to lead bullet, from lead bullet to thermonuclear warhead. We jump, but we usually land further down, not further up. Continue reading

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The Dull Point of the Apostolic Band

He was probably the apostle who said, “I don’t get it,” after a joke’s punchline had been delivered and St. Peter was laughing his head off. What could a guy like that bring to the apostolic band? What was he even doing there? Continue reading

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In the Beginning

Every human composition is but a “Variation on a Theme by God.” He made birds and streams sing, waves and waterfalls crash. The wind croons; the oceans roar; the leaves on a billion trees dance, and all creation keep time to the music. Continue reading

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