The night before he was crucified, Jesus, using the imagery of vineyards, told his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he *prunes*, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2) … Continue reading Bottom Feeders
Month: April 2015
The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
The "Our Father, which art in heaven,..." prayer was certainly said by Jesus, but as a "model prayer" for the eager-to-learn-how-to-pray disciples. However, the disciple, John, records for us a wonderful gift. For his entire 17th chapter comprises an actual prayer Jesus prayed as he was readying himself for his crucifixion: "Father," Jesus prayed, "the … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
Lean On Me
Only hours remained until Jesus would endure a level of stress so severe he sweat blood, be forced to endure an illegal kangaroo-court, falsely accused (and convicted) of crimes he did not commit, beaten within an inch of his life, executed by crucifixion, taking upon Himself the sins of the entire world, thereby incurring the … Continue reading Lean On Me
The Day I Forgave My Dad
Next to my profession of faith in Christ, no decision has so changed my life than when I forgave my dad. My younger sisters and I grew up in an extremely violent alcoholic home. We saw and experienced things I'd prefer not to share here. When sober, my dad was amazing. But, when he was … Continue reading The Day I Forgave My Dad
The Holy Who?
Sadly, we Southern Baptists (not all, but I estimate the majority) have a poor and deficient understanding of the Holy Spirit. In the upper room, on the night before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples, But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who … Continue reading The Holy Who?
Love Is Risky Business – But It’s Worth It
"Love hurts" sang the rock band, Nazareth, in 1975. But, the only alternative to never being heart-broken is to never allow oneself to love. So goes the saying, "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." C.S. Lewis comments: "Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung … Continue reading Love Is Risky Business – But It’s Worth It
The Most Important Question One Will Ever Answer: “Who is Jesus?”
In 1st century Palestine people were asking the same question people are asking today: "Who IS this guy??" In his gospel, John records, "While some said, 'He is a good man,' others said, 'No, he is leading people astray." (7:12) Later, in 8:25, the Jews ask Jesus incredulously, "Who ARE you??" Again, in 8:48-53: "The … Continue reading The Most Important Question One Will Ever Answer: “Who is Jesus?”
Easter, George Fideric Handel & Keith Green
So write the music historians, "The oratorios of Handel are choral dramas of overpowering vitality and grandeur. Vast murals, they are conceived in epic style." Most popular of Handel's compositions in modern times is his oratorio, "Messiah", from which we find "Hallelujah", better known as "The Hallelujah Chorus." "It was 1742, and Handel, working as … Continue reading Easter, George Fideric Handel & Keith Green
Day 2 (of 3) – A Sermon for the Ages
What was Jesus doing between his death & his resurrection? No one knows for certain. But there is a most curious passage in Peter's first letter. Here it is: 1 Peter 3:18-22 (NLT) - Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely … Continue reading Day 2 (of 3) – A Sermon for the Ages
Good Friday – Twenty Centuries Ago…
By Good Friday morning, the rooster has crowed, alerting Simon Peter to the fact that, just as Jesus predicted, he would deny Jesus not once, but three times. The other disciples have scattered in fear. Jesus has spent the entire night facing a very illegal, very hostile, kangaroo court designed to railroad him into a … Continue reading Good Friday – Twenty Centuries Ago…