Category: devotion

Sin is Its Own Punishment Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you. John 5:14c There are a number of common and misleading teachings about sin. First and foremost is that sin is evidence that we are inherently bad or flawed people. It is not. Rather, sin is evidence that we are … Continue reading Sin is Its Own Punishment

Experiential Time, Part 4 “Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time? That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and … Continue reading Experiential Time, Part 4

Experiential Time, Part 3 “Eternity is in the present. Eternity is in the palm of the hand. Eternity is a seed of fire, whose sudden roots break barriers that keep my heart from being an abyss!” Thomas Merton[1] Eternity is not an extension of chronological time, nor is eternal life something waiting for us at … Continue reading Experiential Time, Part 3

Experiential Time, Part 2 “…only the present is eternal and…all things having a past and a future are doomed to pass away!” Thomas Merton[1] An experiential accounting of time does not follow the familiar chronological conceptions of time that repeat in circular cycles, as with a clock, or in linear perpetuity, as with a timeline. … Continue reading Experiential Time, Part 2

Experiential Time But do not ignore this fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 2 Peter 3:8 In last week’s Life Note, as I attempted to illustrate how the concept of eternity cannot be helpfully visualized through the lens of chronological … Continue reading Experiential Time

The Kingdom of Heaven is Near Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe the good news.” Mark 1:14-15 Beginning in childhood and reinforced throughout my life, the stubborn concept developed … Continue reading The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

Nonviolence and Love, Part 3 …if I understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.[1]  Last week I noted that Protestantism is a product of the Age of Enlightenment, which propelled intellectual knowing into the most prominent and … Continue reading Nonviolence and Love, Part 3

Nonviolence and Love, Part 2 Then Jesus said to him (Peter), “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”[1]  How is it that so many Christians – professed followers of Jesus the Christ – have become such staunch gun-toting, Second Amendment, Stand-Your-Ground-law advocates? Either there … Continue reading Nonviolence and Love, Part 2

Nonviolence and Love You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…[1]  The message of Jesus is inherently and undisputedly nonviolent. There is … Continue reading Nonviolence and Love