Faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord finds expression in one's commitment to the ultimate authority of Love to which he bears witness in the world. Without this commitment, Lord is an empty title, but to make this faith commitment has vast practical implications. If...
01109 – How Long will God Seek Us?
Why should we find fault that God wants to extend the redemptive processes? Should that not be a cause of great rejoicing to us? If it's such a joy to win a soul on earth, why would it be any less of a joy to win it in the life hereafter? Would it really not be...
01100 – “Jesus-My-Personal-Therapist” Songs?
There is a trend towards singing songs addressed to a Jesus who has been stripped of any references to the narrative that makes him who he is. Such songs speak of a "Lord" called "Jesus" who makes the singers feel loved and accepted, but often there is no reference to...
00904 – Additional Ways to “Take God’s Name in Vain”
It amazes me how casually I can sing songs of deep, almost heroic commitment. It’s as if I think, “As long as I’m singing, the words I say don’t really matter. God knows it’s just a song.” While my mind wanders I promise to bow before the Lord, to proclaim His name to...
00869 – Making Music without the Lord?
Sometimes those of us in church music get distracted to the point that we are making “the Lord’s music” without the Lord.
00653 – Surprised by Joy
The event of the resurrection, the empty tomb, and the risen Lord breaks every mold that would imprison God in the rationalism of a fallen world. But it is the starting point for a new kind of rationality, for the possibility of living hopefully in a world without...
00642 – Descend Now from the Cross
I couldn’t pray. I didn’t dare to. In the most secret place of my soul I wanted to beg the Lord to reveal himself in power. I wanted to tell him that it was time for his coming. If there was anything at all to what he had promised, why didn’t he come in glory with...
00628 – Commissioning Jesus’ Followers after His Resurrection
It is extremely strange, and extremely interesting, that the stories of Jesus’ resurrection never mention the future hope of the Christian… Instead, we find a commission within the present world: “Jesus is risen, therefore you have work ahead of you.” The stories are...
00581 – Turning Jesus into a Consumer Item
There is even a growing tendency in the church to turn Jesus into a consumer item; from bumper stickers to Christian entertainment, we are finding ways to market our Lord. Our entire culture is oriented to hype, and unfortunately the church is becoming increasingly...
00392 – Community can “Carry You Along”
Although Thomas did not believe in the resurrection of the Lord, he kept faithful to the community of the apostles. In that community the Lord appeared to him and strengthened his faith. I find this a very profound and consoling thought. In times of doubt or unbelief,...