Santa Claus Ain’t The Only One Coming to Town November 27, 2014 Year B ““Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36, HCSB) You better watch out You better not cry Better not pout I’m telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town Santa Claus is coming to town He’s making a list And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who’s naughty and nice... Read more
Happy Hallothanksmas There was a time when we celebrated three holidays during three different months, each with distinct traditions and forms of celebrations. As the cartoon above notes, these three celebrations have essentially merged in American culture today. Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31st, runs into Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. After Thanksgiving, it begins the Christmas season. Halloween is celebrated with masks and candy and pumpkins. Thanksgiving is celebrated with turkeys, harvest festivals... Read more
Thanksgiving Day “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4–5, CSB) Thanksgiving Day is a reflection on the Thanksgiving holiday and its relationship to the Bible, the way that Christians see the importance of Thanksgiving as a holiday. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, one of the holiest of days on the American calendar.... Read more
Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man, or was he? While we may think that Zacchaeus was a small man, in reality, he was probably a much larger man. The key comes in how one views Luke 19:3. It states: “He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man.” (Luke 19:3, CSB) The verse before describes Zacchaeus: “There was a man... Read more
November 25, 2014 Year B Are the nations “streaming” to God’s House? (Isaiah 2:2) You look around at the culture and see Godlessness in a seemingly hopeless world. Are the “many peoples” joining together to go to God’s house to get God’s instruction on a matter? (Isaiah 2:3) You look around at the people and see people abandoning God’s house and His ways. Things seem hopeless. Are the nations settling their disputes peacefully? Have the nations stopped “taking up swords”... Read more
2 Peter 1:12-21 God’s Word Men die, but the Word lives (1:12-15) Motives behind Peter’s ministry: Obedience to Christ’s command (1:12) The right thing to do (1:13) Being diligent (1:15) Experience fades, but the Word remains (1:16-18) Fabled stories versus personal experience (1:16) Peter came – to the mountain Peter saw – the glory of God in Christ Peter heard – the voice of God Peter is responding to two objections: Objection #1 – The Return of Jesus Christ... Read more
Obadiah 1-14 Overcoming Pride When I think about the sin of pride, the greatest sin of all, it reminds me of the army colonel. He had just been promoted to colonel. He was sitting in his office when someone knocked at the door and said, “This is Private Johnson. May I see you sir?” He said, “Just a minute.” The colonel, wanting to look impressive, picked up his telephone and he said real loud, “Yes, Mr. President. I understand, Mr.... Read more
The PK Handbook by Barnabas Piper Barnabas Piper, the son of noted pastor John Piper has written a short treatise for “preacher kids” or PKs. He really does give encouragement and advice from one pastor’s kid to another. As a pastor (who is a PK) who has children, I could relate to every page. He starts with “If I knew then what I knew now” – five observations in retrospect. These include: 1. I wouldn’t worry so much about what... Read more
They Call Me Dad by Philip Cameron They Call Me Dad by Philip Cameron recounts the story of a man who fulfills the obligation given to his father. After his father sees the need to reach out to orphaned girls on television, he compels his son Philip to start a ministry to reach out to these children in Romania. Cameron recalls his journey on this new mission. He shares the events which led to a new ministry to orphans. The journey... Read more
2 Peter 1:5-11 Spiritual Growth Here Peter begins by stating: adding [to] your faith. The Greek word for adding is epichoregeo and it is the source for the English word “chorus” and “choreography.” It literally means “to gather a chorus.” In this chorus that Peter is gathering together, there are seven graces. If all seven graces are followed through, it will result in the harmony of the soul, which is what a good chorus always reaches: harmony. Let’s look at... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In