When Jesus removed a demon from a blind and mute man as recorded in Matthew’s gospel (12:22), the Pharisees (read: those with a self righteous conviction to confidently asses and judge the action of others) accused Jesus of using darkness to combat darkness. It was not a theological attack nor even a logical attack. It … Continue reading The Strongman, The Intruder, And You
Merry Christmas
In my opinion, an often overlooked account of the birth of Christ is found in Luke’s gospel, chapter 2 (v. 21-35). Just days after the dramatic and yet lowly birth, Mary and Joseph present Jesus, their first born, at the temple in Jerusalem. This was an ordinary event in accordance with the law of Moses. … Continue reading Merry Christmas
6,570 Days
On average, a high school senior will have already lived approximately six thousand five hundred and seventy days when they graduate. And while some of those days might be more memorable or seem more significant than others, all six thousand five hundred and seventy days were necessary to get there, to the day, graduation day. … Continue reading 6,570 Days
You Don’t Have A President
This noble experiment known as America, thrives on personal autonomy. The idea goes: you determine your own life, free from the forced choices of authoritarianism or tyranny. Pursue the career of your choice; invest where you want; exercise religion as you see fit; and cast your own vote. While we could argue whether that experiment … Continue reading You Don’t Have A President
Congratulations and Happy Easter
A note to myself: Congratulations on someone else’s resurrection. Congratulations on Christ’s finished work. He ran you down from behind. You tried to fight him off with reason and busy schedules and dress clothes, but it was all treason against heaven. And Christ still had joy to finish his work, so congratulations. Congratulations on your … Continue reading Congratulations and Happy Easter
Thoughts will bow…
I cannot afford my thoughts the freedom to run unbridled within my mind. No matter how noble or notorious, calm or chaotic, pure or polluted—they will inevitably try to stand on their own. And anything that attempts to stand on its own stands against the Creator of the cosmos. For within the cosmos is the … Continue reading Thoughts will bow…
He Opened His Mouth
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) was in fact a sermon given on a mountain. But it was not like any Sunday morning sermon that has been given since then--it was in fact, the only sermon. And I mean only as in the original sermon. When the scriptures state that Jesus opened His mouth … Continue reading He Opened His Mouth
The Inauguration of Heaven
In my early twenties I would attend recovery meetings in a community building next to a local coffee shop. It was somewhere along East McDowell in Phoenix. The memory of my time in the downtown desert is blurred by live-in rehab, halfway houses, and being surrounded by broken people. Everyone seemed doomed to repeat the … Continue reading The Inauguration of Heaven
Enfolded
"Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person..." II Corinthians 5:17 TPT I am not stepping into Christ as I would step into my car. Nor am I getting into Christ as I would get into bed. For eventually I will get out of my car and likewise I … Continue reading Enfolded