reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
How are New Year's resolutions going? After 90 days, are they already broken and forgotten? Probably so. How about your Lenten resolutions? We're just a month into Lent, so there may be a better chance these are still fresh on your mind...but if you're like me, you've already stopped and re-started them a few times already.
. . .Posted in: lentreflections
reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
The feeding of the five thousand is one of the most well-known miracles of Jesus' earthly ministry. It is one of the very few things mentioned in all four Gospels (hint, hint...that means it's a very big deal). It is one of the stories we learn as young children in Sunday School. It is one of those aspects of the Bible that even most . . .
Posted in: lentreflections
Grace, Kindness, and God's Word Translation
a reappraisal in light of Philip Melanchthon
Recently I wrote on the topic of justification and the choice of the translators of God's Word Translation to translate the Greek word dikaioo as 'approval' instead of the traditional 'justify.' As mentioned there, years ago when I first did an in-depth review of the translation I was put off by choice of . . .
Posted in: theology
reflection for the Third Sunday in Lent
"I believe...in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit [and] born of the Virgin Mary." We confessed that truth two Sundays ago as part of the Apostles' Creed. As soon as the birth of Jesus happened in history over 2,000 years ago, the Devil and his demons have been on the attack. Satan tried . . .
Posted in: lentreflections
unprofitable, dangerous, vain, and doubting...
thoughts on prayer, social media, and the news cycle
Today's prayer of the day in the prayer book For All the Saints comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th century Anglican. I find it especially fitting for Lent, in general, and the perpetual chatter of today's news and social media, in particular:
O Lord, my Maker and Protector...while it shall please Thee to continue me in . . .
Posted in: lentlifeprayerreflectionstheology
reflection for the Second Sunday in Lent
Let me start today by listing a few folks to get you thinking about Lent--Hulk Hogan, The Rock, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Jesse Ventura, Ric Flair, and "The Hustler" Rip Rogers. No doubt you've heard of all these guys who were all professional wrestlers. OK, maybe you haven't heard of the last one, but he's a . . .
Posted in: lentreflections
Caesarius of Arles on Lenten reading
theology quote of the week
Let it not be enough for you that you hear the divine lessons in church, but read them yourselves at home or look for others to read them and willingly listen to them when they do. Although through the mercy of God you frequently and devoutly hear the diving lessons throughout the entire year, still during these days we ought to rest . . .
