Promises for the Battle
Miscellaneous
Invisible Christmas
Let us be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:1–2 The Christmas holiday season is visible in our culture because there’s money to be made. But the greediness and gaudiness of cultural Christmas hides the glory of God’s … Continue reading
Superlative Thanksgiving
It is good to give you thanks, O Yahweh; to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your extravagant kindness in the morning and your faithfulness by night. … For you, Yahweh, have made me happy by your work. I will sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:1–4 … Continue reading
Grateful Imitation
Just before the Passover feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. … Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come … Continue reading
Wonderful Thanks
The final two months of the year in our culture seem to bear the general designation “The Holidays.” To be specific, this time of year is defined by Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the past 34 years I’ve been writing poetic prayers as a way of focusing my heart in celebration of these different expressions of … Continue reading
The King’s Strange Journey
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and has been saved, humble and riding on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because his followers thought that the kingdom of God was going … Continue reading
Satisfaction In the New Year
We do not lose heart even though our body is decaying, because you are renewing our inner being day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 3:18–4:18; Deuteronomy 3:24 O let me not be satisfied With what I know you have … Continue reading
Christmas Sonnet 2016
While John’s gospel does not contain an infancy narrative, his first letter is most insistent about the reality and significance of the incarnation. So today we celebrate the incarnation from the context of 1 John. Eternal life, immeasurable love, Existed as the Father and the Son Together shared the joy and glory of The perfect … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Sonnet 2016
You are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, you who love Yahweh; for he preserves the souls of his kind ones by snatching them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shining for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad … Continue reading
Father’s Day 2016
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 Back in 1970 Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young presented he world with mind-sticking tune: “Teach Your Children Well.” For Father’s Day 2016, here’s my rewrite of their lyrics. You know the tune; don’t … Continue reading
Sabbath: A Way To Celebrate Christ’s Finished Work
I’m taking a break from the “Integrity” series for a week to post an essay about understanding and appreciating the Sabbath. I recently heard someone declare that God created the Sabbath rest so human beings can maintain a sense of balance in our lives; too much “busyness” is not good for us. It’s true that … Continue reading
