We Make Promises, (And Promises Make Us)

In Mark 14: 66 - 72 Peter denies Jesus, and breaks a promise made to Jesus made earlier in the chapter. Peter had boldly proclaimed that he loved Jesus more than any of these other disciples and Jesus replied that before dawn he would deny that he even knew Him. Our identities are formed by …

Crucifying Each Other

First let's review; the gospel is: Jesus was born, lived a sinless life and died in order to satisfy the wrath of God for my sin, and to remove it once and for all. 1 John 2:2; 4:10 By absorbing the punishment for my sin Jesus has preserved God's honour as being truly just and …

More Love And Not More Words

Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Florida Gators has been making headlines this year with his passionate witness for his faith. He routinely writes Bible verses on his eye black patches (he's even promoting my blog!) The Toronto Star featured an article today about a battle brewing on the horizon. Tim Tebow and his mother Sam …

Churches Helping Churches

Mars Hill Church did a sermon special on Mark Driscoll's trip to Haiti last week.  It totally wrecked Julie and I.  We have been deeply convicted by what was said.  We strongly encourage you to make time to watch this: http://www.marshillchurch.org/v/m7ipwxo6iiqb We are going to see this short summary of the video this Sunday at …

Brothers in Error

I read an article this week where an author talked about a congregation which follows a worship practice that he believes to be incorrect. He holds these brothers 'in error' and insists that fellowship with this group should be abandoned. A wise man once said,“Brothers in error are the only kind of brothers I have.” …

The Trouble With Two Tunics

In Mark 6: 7-13 Jesus sends out the disciples on a mission trip and it's interesting what He gives for instructions. Don't take: food a bag money a second tunic Take nothing except a staff, sandals, and a partner. Why such strange instructions? It appears that the premise was, travel light. A second tunic would …

To Taser One Must Be Tasered

In the state of Indiana to be qualified to carry a taser you must have a taser used on you. What a fascinating concept!  I think there is some wisdom there.  I would assume that the rule is in place so that people who are using tasers be less flippant about using them, once they understand how …

Learning To Show Compassion

In my first Pastoral Counselling class this week we talked about what it means to be compassionate.  How would you define it? Showing compassion is entering into the suffering of others          - Carrol Wise Compassion is the art of communicating the Gospel to someone at their point of need          - Phil Zylla What surprised me …

Forty 40s

Well here's a totally random thought: Why does the number forty keep coming up in the Bible so much? Coincidentally, the Sistine chapel (see above) happens to be forty feet wide and has forty sections in it! There are lots of 'forty's in the Bible; more than you might think! Consider these forty facts about …

It's the Gospel!

In Mark 12 a woman is noticed by Jesus putting two small copper coins into the treasury.  These coins are called a lepton and represent the smallest denomination of currency possible (like throwing in one cent). Jesus says that she has put more into this treasury than all the heavy hitters who have paraded by …