“…and his name shall be called…Mighty God…”
December 15, 2012 § 1 Comment
Perhaps the most transfixing images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are those of the rescues. It is difficult to forget the hundreds of people huddling on rooftop islands, some having spelled out pleas for help with their own clothes, waiting for deliverance. Over the days that followed we saw the Coast Guard do what it does best; as their helicopters hovered, trained rescuers were lowered on cables with baskets and harnesses to deliver the trapped to safety. Their courage, bravery and strength were all necessary in the right combination for the rescue. « Read the rest of this entry »
“…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor…”
December 13, 2012 § 5 Comments
We all want advice—but we are often afraid of seeking it. Studies show that, though more Americans than ever are seeking professional counseling of one kind or another, most seek help only as a last resort; ironically, most of the very same people do not want anyone else to know they are seeking counsel! Whenever I ask why those who come to me for counseling haven’t come sooner, the answer ultimately comes down to “I didn’t want to ask for help.” « Read the rest of this entry »
Silent no more–fool or not
November 7, 2012 § 8 Comments
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. —Proverbs 17:28
There have been all too many times when I ought to have heeded these words. For the better part of the last 16 hours I have tried to abide by them, refraining from posting anything either on Facebook or my blog and resisting the urge to tweet—which is actually not that difficult since I almost never do that. « Read the rest of this entry »
Likability or Respect?
October 22, 2012 § Leave a comment
Several folks commented on the following section of my sermon yesterday on Hebrews13:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and 13, “Make Your Leaders’ Work a Joy!” I thought I would post it.
God calls his sheep to follow their shepherds by offering them due respect (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13)
Verse 12 begins, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord….”; Paul continues with the same idea in verse 13, urging them “to esteem them very highly.” This is where faithful following begins—with respect. Nothing quenches the spirit of willing cooperation more than a lack of respect for those called to lead. « Read the rest of this entry »
2012 Commencement Homily for Trinitas Christian School
June 11, 2012 § 1 Comment
On May 25, for the second year in a row, I was privileged to share the rostrum with Rev. Uri Brito, each of us delivering a “tag” commencement homily for the graduating class. Our text this year was Hebrews 12; my portion covered the first 17 verses but I primarily focused on the first two. My title was “Run!”
Graduates, tonight we rightly congratulate and honor you for your successful achievement. Twelve-plus years of cultivating hard and diligent work have borne fruit—and because the hardworking farmer has the right to enjoy the fruit of his labor, I earnestly hope that tonight and in the coming days and weeks you will feast with satisfaction and gratitude upon this harvest.
But it’s not over. Not by a long shot. In fact, in some ways it is really just beginning. By “it” I don’t mean college, per se—and you are going to probably think this sounds sentimental and clichéic—but what I mean to say is really just beginning for you is the race of life.
Now, I hate sentimentality more than anyone—but I hate it most in sermons and things like commencement homilies. « Read the rest of this entry »
For the joy: A meditation in anticipation of Good Friday
March 23, 2012 § 1 Comment
Generally, Good Friday services are presented as somewhat somber, if not downright morose, memorials of the crucifixion of Jesus. The Gospel accounts of his lonely vigil of prayer in Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal, the fleeing of the disciples at his arrest, the sham trials, the beating and mocking and the cruelty of the crucifixion—all of these are recounted, often in a “you are there” fashion, woven together from Scripture and interspersed with melancholy music to picture for us the tragic reality of Christ’s suffering for sinners.
Though we cannot deny the tragic reality of the death of Christ, Scripture we never quite broods over it, either as an event of history or with a view toward its theological implications in quite the way we might think it should. I don’t mean this in any way to diminish the central emphasis of the cross in Scripture: the cross is that which shows the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) and it is to be our “boast” in this world (Galatians 6:14). What we find, though, is that the Bible never sees Christ’s cross-work as the “end game.” In a sense, one could say that Scripture even looks past the events of the crucifixion. Consider this passage in Hebrews 12: « Read the rest of this entry »
“These go to 11…”
March 15, 2012 § 2 Comments
A little word of explanation is in order regarding my new email–which matches my Twitter handle (or whatever you call it…10-4, good buddy!). What exactly what does “plexirev” mean? It isn’t too hard to figure the “rev” part is a reference to my being an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America.
But “plexi”–what’s up with that?
It’s really very simple–and it reveals an admittedly shallow (but definitely redeemable!) indulgence. « Read the rest of this entry »
Hope in Futility
March 14, 2012 § 1 Comment
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20, 21)
Why “futility”? It is futility because it—creation—cannot arrive at its desired end; it cannot fulfill its purpose. Instead of yielding fruit according to its design, it produces thorns. Weeds. Instead of a fruitful, effortless, joyous productivity, there is burdensome toil, and even then that does not guarantee fruit.
Yet God’s plan is to free creation at the close of history with the revealing of the children of God. And that glory will be so great, and the freedom will be so glorious, that we must recognize that whatever we presently suffer cannot be rightly put beside in comparison: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). « Read the rest of this entry »
God-Dependent Spiritual Maturity
March 11, 2012 § 1 Comment
We often struggle with growth in grace because we transfer what we understand about physical and social maturity to what we think is true about spiritual maturity. By physical and social maturity I mean, quite literally, growing up and becoming responsible, productive adults. In these two areas the goal is, ultimately, to “stand on our own two feet,” so to speak, to depend less and less on others and do more ourselves. It is one of the primary goals of parents to raise children who are not dependent but independent and mature young adults who tackle more and more things that give them a sense of confidence, ability and responsibility. « Read the rest of this entry »
Robby, yes–but not the Robot
January 4, 2012 § 4 Comments
I thought I was being clever–but I just discovered that roblog is a term for a blog written with “no human intervention” (according to Wikipedia). Hmmm. Gives new meaning to the idea of my blog being a mindless endeavor…
Seriously, I’m afraid what will follow on this site in the coming days and weeks will demonstrate an all too human touch! I’m praying for the right amount of divine intervention to keep the focus where it needs to be!
Roblog 