Pastors Pen
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“Powerful Life Lessons in Popular Culture”
Do you recall that significant moment when, in the Peter Jackson finale ofJ.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Frodo fails to throw the Ring of Powerinto the lava flows of Mount Doom, and instead takes it for himself?Viewers seemed to linger almost torturously on that...
“A Case Study in Open-Eyed Justice” 02-08-2024
[Image: Virginia City Justice Statue: Glen Franco Simmons] On the second floor above the main doors of the Courthouse in Virginia City, Nevada, stands a rather unusual statue. While not utterly unique, according to some sources, the figure is one of only about 20...
Observation on Grace and Cancellation
(Image credit: Alamy) The recent experiences of Bay Community Church— with a local newspaper speculating about church “hatred” in its headline, and then assuming its speculation is factual by the time the article was half-way through— is a curious indication of the...
“Unreasonable Reasonable Limits”
Christians often grapple with the degree to which they should be invested in the general culture and political climate. As near as I can determine, no Biblical formula exists. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, and prayerfully move as He directs. In point of...
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, there was a Fortune 500 CEO who fell in love with a beautiful company intern. An honourable and handsome man, he had never married because of the ever-increasing demands of the business that he had helped grow since its inception. His employees now...
Word Over Whim
An honest tracing of political evolution through Western history tends to implicate the Bible more than the average citizen realizes. The idea of a national covenant, which informed British constitutionalism, for instance, is a Biblical concept. Even in a more...
“To Be Like Christ: Willing to Suffer”
The early Church embraced the possibility of meaningful suffering far better than the contemporary Church. For us in North America, it is time we took an honest look at "Adversity Gospel".
“To Be Like Christ: Get Narrow”
In this third installment of some "tough stuff" for Lent, we discover that Jesus not only speaks of Himself as a narrow gate, but also as the narrow way. It is helpful for contemporary and mature believers to perceive how this narrowness is actually appropriate.
“To Be Like Christ: Crucified in Public”
In this second installment of a Lenten series on Christ's example, we expose the necessity of Christian public testimony, and the challenges that, for disciples, will naturally accompany it.
“To Be Like Christ: in Redemptive Exchange”
In this first part of a four-part series, we're exploring aspects of Christ's character that mature followers of Him are intended to replicate. This edition has to do with the Redeemed exemplifying redemption in other ways.
“Tales of Repentance”
Repentance often doesn't come without dissonance, and there's very little dissonance without moral confrontation— as the Bible suggests.
“Not All Kisses Are Sweet”
Today, we explore one of the more honest kisses in all of Scripture, and some of the more dishonest kisses, as well.
“The Abraham Test”
For the sake of an orderly existence and realistic family life, all Christian parents must pass this test.
“Spiritual NIMBY”
In Nazareth, in the Gerasene district, and even in Antioch of Pisidia, Jesus and His disciples face the challenging prospect of people who don't want them around, in their backyard.
“The Truth About Minorities”
When the greatest among us will serve, when the tiny yeast impacts the greater dough, when 300 is enough for God, we ought to be questioning our contemporary obsession with demographic weight.
“When God is Moving…”
After years of seeming defeat and decline, we may well be arriving at a new day for Biblical faith on this Continent.
“Brave in the Land”
Given the curious parallels between Promised Land imagery and Kingdom of God imagery, the saints in Christ should know that it's going to take bravery and faith to live in the midst of this culture.
“Faith in the Midst of Choice”
Some unknowing and some ambiguity in life is not just natural, it's even supernatural. So walk in faith!
“Children and Their Proxies”
Childhood looms large in both Matthew 2 and Luke 2. Today, we look at some of the implications of this.
“Love Came Down”
On this, the Advent Sunday of Love, let us confess that love is at the core of why we find ourselves here, inside the universe. It is also the essence of why we forgiven.
“Rejoice in the Truth”
In the midst of a graceless world, rejoice in the Biblical message and in your personal ministries, for such meaning is for here, and will never come again!