As many of you are probably aware, the reason Michelle, Augie, and I are here because of a planned marriage. It is institution that goes back to the very beginning of human time. How do we know that? Because of an interesting conversation between our Lord and Savior and some first century religious leaders: 3 And…
Category: Pastoral
Eye-Service and the Fear of the Lord
Paul Gets Practical We are now most of the way through our “walk about” in Colossians. This is talk number nine of eleven in the series, “Dear Least Important Church…” And after reading today’s section, Colossians 3:18-4:1, I thought to myself, “Finally Paul is getting practical.” Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m not suggesting that everything…
Doubling Down
As I continue this year’s trek through all 66, I ran into the incident where, when asked by Moses to allow the Israelites to go worship in the desert for three days, the Pharaoh wasn’t so inclined. Not only did he say no, he decided to double down: 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the…
Clothing for a Name
Royal Priesthood 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received…
Where You Once Walked
Ministry of Silly Walks Although I didn’t really watch much Monty Python while it was being actively created, I have found a lot of what I have seen pretty funny. Now, by mentioning that show it doesn’t mean I recommend Christians imbibe it indiscriminately. They were talented comedians, but not apparently Christian ones…and there is…
Normative Versus Descriptive
As I continue my blessed journey through all 66 books in the Bible, I ran into what I thought could be a humorous example of why you want to make sure whether what you are reading is normative or descriptive. What is normative? Per my Mac’s dictionary: normative |ˈnôrmətiv| adjective formal establishing, relating to, or…
What?! Wait! You Knew?!
Just imagine you are Abimelech. A rich guy comes into your territory with a cute sister (although she had to be pretty old) and you take her for your wife. Win! However… But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the…
You Were Promised by God to Abraham
You were promised by God to Abraham. How do those words speak to your heart? Do they make it “jump for joy”? Doesn’t the idea that the Most High Himself spoke of you cause you excitement…at least a little bit? Or are you a bit incredulous and need hard “head” proof before you are going…
Don’t Be a Sucker
Dear Least Important Church… Before we jump into this week’s sermon I should probably give a quick review of the five that preceded it. Not the chronological quintet, but the previous pentad in the series it is a member of. Today’s “Don’t Be a Sucker” is talk number six in “Dear Least Important Church…,” an…
Remembering the Bow
This year I am reading the entire Bible again (you should too), and yesterday the flood subsided. Afterward, our Lord tells Noah: 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of…
May the New Year Be the Last!!!!
Taking one last look at Facebook last night, I came across this New Year’s wish from a friend: May the new year be better than the last!!!! And, dear reader, I do hope that is true for you and yours. However, when I first digested those words they came through as: May the new year…
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” Remixed
The Lamb Was Sure to Go… If you’ve ever attempted to learn an instrument…something I’ve tried to do unsuccessfully more than once (a personal focus issue)…there is a good chance you’ve played the children’s song, “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Actually, even if you aren’t a “wanna be” or real musician, it’s likely you have…
“…Being Born in the Likeness of Men…”
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the…
Learning to Fly
Training Wheels For Augie’s birthday this past August we purchased a new bicycle for him. His old one was getting a bit small, and a bike is always a great gift in my book. After having no luck at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Augie found one at Target he liked—I suspect the neon-like green on it…
Giving Up Snarkiness
There is an article worthy of a read from Megan McArdle about "Why [She Tries] Not to Write Bad Reviews." A key part of what she says: But that’s not actually the main reason I avoid it. The main reason I avoid the joys of snarky takedowns is that it’s not very good for you….