The Art of Helping Others by Douglas C. Mann Douglas Mann has written a book which appeals to the artist in every one of us. The subtitle of the book (“How Artists Can Serve God and Love the World”) defines the purpose of the book. Helping others is not science but an art form, according to Mann. He calls Christians to redefine success to a life of service based on the life of Jesus. While Jesus calls us to... Read more
“and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:34, HCSB) “After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables.” (John 2:15, HCSB) If Jesus drove a car, it might be a Honda... Read more
Lenten Reflection #12: Jesus Thinks “Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”” (Matthew 22:17, HCSB) When Jesus thinks, the answer is always profound. In this Scripture, the Pharisees came to ask Jesus a question to trap Him. They were asking about paying taxes to the government and whether it violated their loyalty to God. It was a trick question. The Pharisee expected an either/or answer. If Jesus says yes... Read more
Lenten Reflection #11: Jesus Prays “Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16, HCSB) Jesus made it a habit to pray. He prayed to pay attention to God and follow what God wanted Him to do. Jesus, even as the Son of God – who one would think had a direct line to God, had to take time to pray. Prayer was Jesus’ method of communication with His Father. There was no other way... Read more
Lenten Reflection #10: Jesus Saves “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:21, HCSB) Jesus, from the Hebrew word “Yeshua” means God is salvation. In the Bible, the name of a person defines their destiny. While Joseph may have considered another name, the angel told Joseph that the child should be named Jesus. The reasons is because Jesus will save people from their... Read more
Lenten Reflection #9: Jesus Tears “For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility…,” (Ephesians 2:14, HCSB) In order to build better relationships, I need Christ to help me tear down my walls. Jesus is in the business of tearing down walls. It is easy for me to build a wall around myself. I am also the only one who can tear down the walls I put up around people.... Read more
Living the Questions by David M. Felton and Jeff Proctor-Murphy Living the Questions is virtually a manifesto of Progressive Christianity. This book is brought to you by the same people who made Living the Questions: Saving Jesus Redux DVD. Sometimes the movie is better than the book. In this case, the reverse is true. I reviewed the DVD, and I have to say that I thought the book was much better. No, I don’t agree with all of... Read more
Lenten Reflection #8: Jesus Teaches “He would speak the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand.” (Mark 4:33, HCSB) When Jesus teaches, you can easily understand. He used a method of teaching called parables. A parable was an earthly story with a spiritual meaning (in its most basic definition). In other words, Jesus taught so that the people would understand. He even criticized the disciples one time because they did not understand.... Read more
1 Peter 1:22-2:10 Church Screenshots Church Screenshot #1: We are children of the same family (1:22-2:3) We have experienced the same birth “since you have been born again —not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was... Read more
Lenten Reflection #6: Jesus Sleeps “Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping.” (Matthew 8:24, HCSB) It must not be a problem if Jesus can sleep through it. I am not surprised by the storm around the boat. I am not surprised that Jesus can sleep during the storm. I am just impressed that Jesus can sleep through the storm in an open boat. However, Jesus... Read more
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