Perspectives

Perspectives
(Looking Outward)

I call these "Perspectives" because they present viewpoints on various topics including faith, scripture, and the world in general. I offer these viewpoints, hoping that you, the reader, might benefit from looking at things from a different vantage point.

2021
  • Afraid of Jesus - Why might we be afraid of Jesus?
  • New Year's Reminders - Every year, the same four Bible passages are listed in the Revised Common Lectionary for New Year's Day.  What kind of reminders for a new year might they hold for us?
2020
  • We Need Some Light - In these dark days, the world needs some light.  (Christmas 2020)
  • A Highway in the Wilderness - A voice in Heaven calls for a highway to be built in the wilderness, and a voice in the wilderness calls people to build a highway into their hearts.  (Advent 2020)
  • Be Not Vacant - It is not enough to get bad things out of our lives.  We need good things to replace them.
  • What Matters Most - As Christians, what do we do when what we believe God is calling us to do appears to conflict with what Scripture says?
  • Not a Country Club - The Kingdom of God can be compared to a lot of things, but it cannot be compared to a country club.
  • Satanic Thinking - Why would Jesus call one of His own students "Satan"?  Maybe this student's ways of thinking were satanic.
  • Jesus' Bad Day - Jesus once refused to help someone, and He seemed to act rather rudely toward her.  At one time, I thought He had some instructional purpose for acting as He did.  Now I wonder if maybe He was just having a bad day.
  • Storms, Faith, and Peace - Jesus once said that the Disciples had "little faith" when they cried out to Him for help.  What does it look like to have great faith?
  • Planting the Seed - What can a mustard seed teach us about how God works?
  • A Matter of Seeing - One thing I've noticed about some of the Easter stories in the Gospels is that, though the Risen Christ is present, people do not recognize Him for some reason.  (Easter 2020)
  • Behind Locked Doors - Easter doesn't seem like Easter this year.  Like the fearful Disciples on that first Easter Sunday, we need some peace and some joy.  (Easter 2020)
  • Reflections on the Letters to the Seven Churches - In the Book of Revelation, Christ dictates to John a series of messages to seven churches in Asia Minor.  What might these ancient letters teach us today?  (Lent 2020 series)
  • Weddings, Patches, and Wineskins - When God is leading us into something new, it is time to let go of what was.
  • Two Stories of Calling - There is no one-size-fits-all story when it comes to the life of faith.
  • Hallmark Movies, Jake Busey, and God-Awful Theology - I recently realized that something I dislike about Hallmark movies is also something I dislike about Calvinism.
2019
  • A New and Glorious Morn - The Christmas Songs I've come to appreciate are those that not only retell the story of Christmas but also explore the implications of Christ's birth.  (Christmas 2019)
  • Theotokos - In some parts of the Church, the Virgin Mary is called Theotokos, which means "God-bearer."  Might anyone else be called to be a "God-bearer"?  (Christmas 2019)
  • In Defense of "Mary, Did You Know?" - Some love the popular Christmas song "Mary, Did You Know?" and some find it condescending.  In the end, it's meant to point us to Christ.  (Christmas 2019)
  • Mutual Submission - St. Paul instructed his readers to "submit to one another."  Christian submission is not one-sided.
  • No Mere Healer - Do we see Jesus for who He is, or do we see only what we want Him to do for us?
  • Spiritual Armaments - Spiritual battles require spiritual armaments.
  • Lessons from a Questionable Bookkeeper - Jesus once told a story about a financial manager who is commended by his employer for cooking the books.  Why would Jesus tell such a story?
  • Weeds and Fig Leaves - Many people struggle with perfectionism.  Maybe they're actually struggling with something deeper.
  • Do Not Engage - Sometimes the best choice is not to stay and fight.
  • An Appointment with the King - Three men are summoned to the king's palace.  No explanation is given.  (Short Story)
  • Higher Needs - Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs like food and clothing.  Might He be telling us that there are other things we need?
  • Damned Dreams that Don't Die - Some dreams just won't die, even if it seems that they won't come true.
  • A Rabbi, a Rich Man, a Ringmaster, and a Writer - In The Greatest Showman, ringmaster P.T. Barnum makes an offer to a rich young playwright.  If the playwright takes him up on the offer, he will have to leave his current life behind.  Sound familiar?
  • Reading Well, Loving Well, Living Well - Reading the Bible is important, but we need to learn to read it well.
  • Shut Up, Judas - It's possible to make a valid point and still be horribly wrong.
  • The Last Laugh - On Friday, it appeared that evil had won.  On Sunday, goodness had the last laugh.  (Easter 2019)
  • No Double Agents - Examine your actions.  Are you reflecting the light, or are you blocking it out?  (Lent 2019)
  • Clashing Kingdoms - The coming of one kingdom means the downfall of another.  (Lent 2019)
  • The Wilderness and the River - Before you foray into the wilderness, spend some time at the river.  (Lent 2019)
  • What Do They Hear? - What is the world hearing from the Church?
  • Those Other Beatitudes - Why would Jesus announce woe upon people who are rich, well-fed, laughing, or well-liked?  Is it wrong to live an enjoyable life?
  • Loosen Up - Sometimes we need a reminder to enjoy our lives.
  • In the Details - Sometimes small details reveal great truths.  (Epiphany 2019)
2018
  • Unlikely Messengers - What happens when "the worst kids in the history of the world" are cast in the lead roles in a Christmas pageant?  A bunch of stuffy church folk gain a whole new appreciation for the Christmas story!  (Christmas 2018)
  • Be the Voice - A voice cried out in the wilderness to prepare the way for Christ.  How can we help "prepare the way" wherever we find ourselves?  (Advent 2018)
  • Wolves and Lambs - A prophet envisioned a Kingdom where wolves and lambs live together in peace.  How is that even possible?  (Advent 2018)
  • Treasure in Heaven - Jesus told a rich man to sell all he had and to give the proceeds to the poor so that he may have treasure in heaven.  What did Jesus mean by "treasure in heaven"?
  • Stumbling on the Path - What does it mean to "stumble"?  I think it might mean more than a mere lapse in behavior.
  • Lessons from a Family Vineyard - Words matter, but just saying the right words isn't enough.
  • The Elephant in the Prayer Room - Why do some prayers seem to go unanswered?
  • Life as the Body - When we follow Christ, we become part of something greater than ourselves.  It has been said that together we make up a single Body.
  • How Many Times? - Jesus' disciples were rather thick-headed at times... and so are we.
  • The Deep Hunger - There is a hunger that has nothing to do with our stomachs, a hunger that cannot be satisfied with literal bread.
  • All Kinds - It has been said that it takes all kinds to make a world. Maybe it takes all kinds to make a Church as well.
  • Treasury of the Heart - What we hold on the inside will work its way outward.
  • Peace amid the Storms - Is there peace to be found amid the storms of life?
  • A Self-Fulfilling Parable - Are you planting the seeds you've been given?
  • Rules and Priorities - Your priorities will determine which rules you're willing to break, so choose your priorities well.
  • Look upon the Cross - What do we see when we look upon the Cross?
  • Liturgy and Silence - If you're struggling to find words to pray, a wealth of prayers has been written over the centuries.  That said, are words always necessary?
  • See You in Galilee - In Scripture, small details can reveal something important.  (Easter 2018)
  • The Joke's on You, Old Nick! - In 2018, Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, fell on April Fools' Day, the day we play practical jokes on each other.  Is there perhaps some practical joke to be found in the Easter story?  (Easter 2018)
  • Won't Somebody Please Listen to the Children?! - Young people are speaking out, but are you listening?  (Lent 2018)
  • Saying the Right Thing Wrongly - There are times when we just say the wrong thing, but there are other times when we say the right thing wrongly.  (Lent 2018)
  • An Easy Yoke or a Heavy Cross? - Jesus invites people to come to Him and trade their heavy burdens for something lighter and easier.  Then He tells His disciples that anyone who wants to follow Him has to take up a cross.  What's going on here?
  • No Pretending Allowed - A church is a place for transformation and not a place for pretension.
  • Hallmarks of the Humble - How can we spot a humble person?
2017
  • No Crying He Makes? - One beloved Christmas carol suggests that, as a baby, Jesus didn't cry.  Should we believe that?  (Christmas 2017)
  • An Advent Prayer - As we light candles during Advent, may we not forget those who long to see the Light.  (Advent 2017)
  • Who Are the Wise? - A servant put in charge of a household...  A group of bridesmaids...  Employees entrusted with their employer's assets...  Sheep and goats...  What can we learn from all of these?
  • The Image Is Everything - The Bible says that human beings are created in the image of God.  This truth has many implications for our lives.
  • The End of Entitlement - To experience the kind of life to which Christ calls us, we will need to let go of some things, like the idea that we deserve something.
  • Meaningful Words - If prayer is transformative, then we need to learn how to pray well.
  • Leaves and Fruits - Are you living a fruitful life?
  • Internal and Invisible but Not Insignificant - Jesus warned the Disciples to beware the "yeast" of certain religious groups.  What did He mean?
  • The Power of a Dream - Do not stand in the way of a God-given dream.  You have been warned.
  • The Power of Words - We tend to diminish the significance of words, but words, especially words from God, have power.
  • The Call of a Prophet - How would you feel in the presence of God?  How would you feel if God had a special job for you?
  • Well, Which Is It? - Does grace mean being accepted just as we are?  Or does grace mean being transformed into what we are meant to be?  My response, in short, is "Yes."
  • Inside-Out Theology - Where is God?  Or maybe I should ask, Where isn't God?
  • When the Path Becomes Treacherous - The path Christ calls us to follow is a path of love, but even a path of love has the potential to become treacherous.
  • Peter's Confession - Peter made some bold claims about Jesus.  Though he believed what he said with his whole heart, he did not fully understand.  As people of faith, do we fully comprehend the bold claims we make?  (Holy Week 2017)
  • Great Enough - Why do people feel the need to prove how great they are?  Are we all not great enough already?  (Lent 2017)
  • Bigger, Better Band-aids - We all have problems, but are we working through them or covering them up?  (Lent 2017)
  • The Treasures We Seek - What kind of treasures are you seeking as you do the things you do?  (Lent 2017)
  • Stillness and Silence - First, there was a strong wind.  Next, there was an earthquake.  Then, there was a fire.  God was not in any of them.  (Lent 2017)
  • Why Would a Pig Need Pearls? - Why do we do what we do for other people?
  • Stay Hungry and Thirsty, My Friends - Perhaps a step toward God is actually a step away from ease, comfort, and self-sufficiency.
  • No Turning Back - Some journeys in life are such that, once we start, there will be no turning back.
  • Remember Your Baptism - What do we remember when we remember our baptism?
  • The Book and the Word - The fact that something is biblical does not automatically make it Christlike.
2016
  • The Christlike Parents of Jesus - What kind of people were chosen to raise the Son of God?  (Christmas 2016)
  • What Should We Do? - Advent is a time of preparation, so how do we prepare?  (Advent 2016)
  • Weapons, Tools, and a Golden Rule - Advent is a season of anticipation.  Are we really ready for what we're anticipating?  (Advent 2016)
  • Back to the Start - The church calendar ends where it begins, with a time of waiting, longing, and expectation.  (Advent 2016)
  • Pleading Our Case - How do we plead our case before God?
  • One Story, Three Writers, Many Lessons - We can glean many lessons from a single story, especially when there are multiple storytellers.
  • No Sheep Left Behind - What makes a shepherd a "good shepherd"?
  • A True Crime - I enjoy an occasional true crime story, but something about such stories always disturbs me.
  • Dinner Parties and Ladders - What might be distracting us from what God is doing in the world?
  • A Case for Positivity - How we relate to a number of things in life, like our material possessions, is connected to our general outlook on life.
  • Living as Children of God - We've heard that we're all children of God.  What does it mean to live as children of God?
  • How (Not) to Call Down Fire from Heaven - What is the right way to respond to hostility?
  • Who Is My Neighbor? - The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of Jesus' most famous parables.  What exactly is a "Good Samaritan"?  (Short Story)
  • What We Need to Believe - What do you need to believe right now?  Is anything keeping you from believing it?
  • Do We See? - How do we see the people in our midst?  Do we see them as God sees them?
  • The Point of Authority - It has been said that power corrupts, but power does not have to be a bad thing.  The question is how we use our power.
  • Hallmarks of a Hypocrite - Are you a hypocrite?  If so, you're in good company.  It is usually easier to preach than it is to practice what one preaches.
  • Seeking the Kingdom - Jesus teaches us not to worry about meeting our needs.  He tells us that, if we seek the Kingdom of God, everything we need will be given to us as well.  What did He mean by this?  (Pentecost 2016)
  • Unraveling Fear - Whom should we fear?  Should we fear at all?
  • Luke the Storyteller - Why just report the facts, when you can share a story?
  • Our Place in the World - God gave humanity a special place in the world.  Though everything did not go according to plan, God has not given up on us.  (Easter 2016)
  • Are We Easter People? - The Easter story presents us with a number of questions.  (Easter 2016)
  • The Judgment of the World - With the Crucifixion and the Resurrection came the judgment of the world.  This kind of judgment is not bad news.  (Easter 2016)
  • He Went Too Far - "What would Jesus do?" we ask.  Jesus took a stand that cost Him dearly.  Now what will we do?  (Holy Week 2016)
  • Miracles of the Heart - Some miracles change matter.  Some miracles change the heart.  (Lent 2016)
  • The Narrow Door - Salvation is like a great struggle to enter a narrow door.  (Lent 2016)
  • A Clean Heart - The problem is deep-rooted, so the solution must go just as deep.  (Lent 2016)
  • How to Start a Riot at Church - Jesus once preached a sermon so offensive it incited the congregation to violence, and He delivered it at the synagogue in His own hometown!
  • Good Grief - What is the difference between "worldly grief" and "godly grief"?
  • The Message Within the Message - Why would a person choose to endure suffering if it could in any way be avoided?
  • How Strange Thou Art - We don't think about how strange our beliefs are until we step back and take a look at them.  Christians believe some strange things.  I mean that in a good way.
2015
  • Tale of a Furry Green Cynic - The Grinch hated the Whos, and he hated Christmas.  What was his problem?  (Christmas 2015)
  • What Are You Expecting? - The season of Advent is a time of hopeful expectation, but do any of us really know what to expect?  (Advent 2015)
  • Preparing for the Everyday Apocalypse - If you want to prepare for the apocalypse, you'll need three things.
  • Dead Trees and Crumbling Buildings - The church is meant to be a source of hope and healing in the world.  If people aren't finding hope and healing in the church, then what good is it?
  • What Do You Want? - Does God care about what we want?
  • Followers of a Servant - What if Jesus really meant what He said, that whoever wants to be great must be a servant?  What if He wasn't just trying to set an example when He washed His disciples' feet?
  • Jesus and Socrates - I would like to offer a biblical response to an ancient philosophical conundrum.
  • Four Practical Reasons to Tithe - The practice of regularly giving a portion of your income to God might actually be beneficial to you.
  • Is Your Church a Den of Robbers? - Both Jesus and the prophet Jeremiah compared the Temple of the Lord to a den of robbers.  What did they mean?  Could they say the same thing about the modern-day church?
  • Celebration in Heaven - When the lost are found, there is cause for celebration.  But who are the lost?
  • The Voices of the Prophets - What are the prophets in our midst saying to us?  Are we even listening?
  • The Prideful and the Penitent - In prayer, the right words are not enough.
  • He Wanted a War - These are my thoughts on a recent tragedy that occurred in my state.
  • Bearers of Good News - What kind of message do Christians have for the world today?  Are we announcing new life?  Or are we just putting people to sleep?
  • Investing in Iniquity - In what have you invested your life?
  • Say What? - What good is a message from God if nobody can understand it?
  • Failure to Communicate - When two church leaders both feel the need to protect everyone from the other, it's time for them to sit down and lay all their cards on the table.
  • Party of the Year - Have you been invited to a wedding?  Then you had better bring extra flashlight batteries!
  • What Then Do We Love? - St. Augustine searched the cosmos for God and was left with the question, "What then do I love when I love my God?"
  • Rise! - Christ has died.  Christ is risen!  What does it all mean for us?  (Easter 2015)
  • Reflections on The Great Divorce - What could C.S. Lewis's fantastical novel about the hereafter teach us about the here and now?  (Lent 2015 series)
2014
  • The Darkness Before the Dawn - While most of us are immersed in the Christmas shopping season, the Church is observing something called Advent.  So what is this thing called Advent?  (Advent 2014)
  • Do You Want to Believe? - Why is open-mindedness not typically considered a virtue in Christian circles when an experience of God just might require it?
  • Please Speak Responsibly - How much do we really know about God? I suspect we know less than we think we do.
  • The Way the World Works - So often we fail to realize that the familiar teachings of Jesus are meant to be disturbing, offensive, and challenging to our world views.
  • To Give, or Not to Give? - We all know the importance of good deeds and acts of charity, but is there ever a time when one should not do such things? What if one's heart is just not in it?
  • A Theology of Abundance - Are you looking at the world from a perspective of abundance or from a perspective of scarcity?
  • The View from the Gutter - The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a familiar story to us.  Unfortunately, we don't always realize how offensive this story truly is.
  • Priority One - What is the point of religion anyway?
  • A Tempted Church - Jesus was tempted three times in the desert.  These three temptations are things that the Church today needs to beware.
  • They Did Not Know What They Were Asking - Do you want to follow Jesus?  If you answered, "Yes," are you sure about that?
  • The Cost of a Free Gift - What is the cost of a free gift?  It's more than you might think.
  • Could You? - It has been said that this life is only what we make of it.  I wonder if the same is true about the afterlife?
  • Shabbat, Smart Phones, and the Reason We Have Rules - Observing the Sabbath day might seem like an antiquated notion, but perhaps it is still important in our day and time.
2013 
2012 
2011
  • How to Truly Keep Christ in Christmas - "Keeping Christ in Christmas" means a lot more than making sure our greetings are correct.
  • Sacrificial Love - In our individualistic society, have we lost sight of the meaning of marriage?
  • Blessed - I recently learned some interesting things about the Beatitudes, so I decided to share them.
  • Two Paths - Throughout the Bible are reminders that there is more than one way to live our lives and that it is up to us to choose which path we will take in life.
  • Like Cute, Fluffy Animals - One day I received an email full of cute animal pictures... as well as a reminder of what the Kingdom of God is like.
  • Being Real - In this world, it's hard to truly be ourselves.
  • What Every Child Needs to Hear - What does God the Father's declaration about Jesus say about parenthood?
  • From Humility to Honor - Rahab was a prostitute, but God saw her for what she really was, a woman of great faith.
  • The End of the World - Some people thought the end of the world would begin on May 21, 2011.  It didn't.  With that in mind, what is the best way to prepare for the end of the world?
  • "Imagine" (The Gospel According to John Lennon) - Many people consider the song "Imagine" to be anti-Christian, but is John Lennon's message really that different from the message of Jesus Christ?
  • A Life, Unearthed - Are you truly living, or have you buried the things that make you who you are?
  • When Life Gives You Onions - Because life doesn't always give us lemons. 
2009-2010
  • The Christmas Scandal - Nativity scenes don't do the Christmas story justice.
  • Is Hatred Ever Right? - King David was so dedicated to God, he hated everyone who was against God. Is that what God wants for us?
  • Turn the Page - In the journey of life, there are times to stay where you are and times to move on.
  • More than Chemicals - Is love a feeling, or is love something much greater than a feeling?
  • Good Enough - The prodigal son's older brother always did what was right, but did he really have a good relationship with his father?
  • The Meaning of Life - If things like wealth, power, and social status cannot bring meaning to our lives, what can?
  • Fire in Our Hearts - For ages, fire has been at the heart of ministry, but is all of the fire in our hearts good?
  • Extreme Love - Many of us view the story of Jonah as a story of extreme punishment. I have found that it is actually a story of God's extreme love.
  • The Story that Never Happened - Stories in the Bible give us hope. What additional story of hope would exist if the disciple Judas never killed himself?
  • Us Against the World - Why do Christians seem to speak so badly about the world?  Maybe some clarification would be nice.
  • A "Talent" is a Terrible Thing to Waste - What does an ancient story of investment banking tell us about our lives and our gifts?
  • Doves, Snakes, and Children - What do doves, snakes, and children have in common?  Jesus calls us to be like all of them. Is that even possible?
  • Red Pill Christians - In The Matrix, Neo was faced with a decision: taking a red pill or taking a blue pill. Neo chose the red pill, and his life was never the same afterward. What choice would you make?
  • Stone Monuments or Sandcastles - Seeing a former coworker caused me to ponder certain questions such as: "What are we doing with our lives?"
  • You Have a Drum - What does the song "The Little Drummer Boy" say about our lives?
  • My Political Manifesto - People have strong opinions about politics, but how much can the political world really affect us?

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