Category Archives: Scripture

But I also think the evangelical church had to go through this time period of Christian music only and all rap other DC Talk was bad in order to get to the place of moderation and discernment. After all, how many pastors, who at one time would have seen rap and secular music as bad, now use Kanye West’s lyrics in their sermons on a regular basis? Without abstention, it can be hard to learn moderation.

But occasionally in Israel’s history, we have these moments of complete obedience; moments where the people loved God above everything else.

God knew that our hearts were not going to easily be set on Him. He knew that no matter how much He asks of us – how little or how great – our answer would be the same: this is just too hard.

As I got older and moved from high school youth group to ministry classes in college to finally working in a church as a director to children and youth, there was always the question: how much is too much?

God is concerned that when someone borrows that they do pay back their debt. But God is even more concerned that the one borrowing is not held at a disadvantage and is not abused by the lender.

Living in this time between the two Advents can seem strange. When we read about Jesus’ birth in the Gospels, it seems like there is so much hope. That Jesus’ coming into the world was a coming of love, joy, and peace. But when we read about Jesus’ return, there seems to be fear. Jesus’ second coming into the the world is one which brings conquest, sword, judgment, famine and plague, death, and natural disasters.

What if, instead of just making sure that those who are less fortunate have a delicious Christmas dinner, new winter coat, something from Santa under the tree to open, and a place to lay there head, what if we canceled debts? What if we got rid of that barrier which held the less fortunate back?

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. We have made it halfway through this Advent season and are twelve days away from Christmas. Secular Christmas culture celebrates the time leading up to Christmas as fun and excitement, with cookies, caroling, and magic. There is nothing wrong with this, but this is not how the Church has historically spent Advent and the time leading up to Christmas. In fact, if we applied historical and traditional Christmas practices, the fun and excitement with cookies, caroling and magic should occur during Christmastide: December 25 and January 6, the actual Twelve Days of Christmas. This time now, leading up to Christmas, should be spent in prayerful repentance, reflecting on our need for a savior. If we did this, maybe we would be more apt to obey God in our lives.

Many Christians ignore or gloss over many books of the Bible, particularly those that are less story and more law based. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are some of these books. But what I love about these books is not so much their content, because, let’s be honest, they are not always the easiest to read, but because God tells us why we have them.

But the pandemic – at least the beginning few months – canceled all of these activities. Sports, music, and other club activities had to stop meeting. Some, such as boy scouts or debate clubs, were able to meet virtually, but for the most part, activities were closed as we began virtual. Strangely, just as people had time for church again, church was unavailable for them.

John the Apostle is the same John who wrote the book of John, the letters of 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation. The “nickname” he gives himself when writing the book of John is “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Now, we do not know if Jesus ever used these words with John or if Jesus had a special name for John, but this is how John identifies his relationship to Jesus: as the one He loved.