Category: Uncategorized

Now What? What Shall You do?

Once again, we find ourselves on the aftermath another senseless tragedy. The biggest question for all of us is, “Now what? What shall you do?”

It pains me to admit it but there is a part of me that finds the bravado of Donald Trump attractive. I would love for our military to go and kick some terrorist butts.

But then what? What’s changed? What’s different? All that we would have accomplished is to gain even more who hate America and all that America stands for.

So, “Now what? What shall you do?”

I challenge you to hope, to love, to be gracious, to be kind in face of unspeakable atrocity. The only thing that can change hate is love. The only thing that can change hopelessness into hope is grace and kindness.

It is easy, animalistic to treat well those who treat you well, and to desire to hurt those who hurt you. It takes mature human beings, it takes those who follow the way of the One who chose the way of the cross to offer grace, hope, kindness, and love.

So, “Now what? What shall you do?”

Choose love. Choose grace. Choose hope. Choose to be kind.

The Most Important Book I’ve Read Next to the Bible

There is no shortage of books. On average, I read about a book a week. Of all the books I’ve read in my life time, next to the Bible, one of the most important books I’ve read is “The Cure.”

Few other books have impacted my relationship and understanding of who God is and who I am in light of grace as much as this book.

You won’t want to read this book fast. This one will require you to go slow as the Holy Spirit works with you. I am currently on my third reading through the book. I want the grace that this book talks about to permeate my being. I want to live in grace and trust that Christ has purchased for me. And I want the same for you.
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If you read any book in the coming year, read this book.

Why Christmas is Christmas

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

This is the opening of the gospel of John. What an odd way to tell us about Jesus.

The reading from John 1:1-14 is included in most Lectionary texts for Christmas. What’s strange about this is that there are shepherds, no angels, no manger, no Joseph, no Mary…heck! there’s not even the baby Jesus!

So why is this a part of the reading for Christmas?

You see, the birth we are celebrating is not the birth of a great king, a great teacher, a great religious leader, a great rabbi, a great prophet. The reason why Christmas is Christmas and not like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day is because the Creator of the universe became a creature on Christmas day.

Every living thing that has been born has an innate drive to live, to survive.

Jesus was born in order that he might die.

Jesus was born in order that he might die, so that we who receive him as Lord and Savior would share in our death in order that we might share in his resurrection.

That’s not just a baby. That’s the Creator of the Universe. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is Jesus.

Merry Christmas!