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...
“As Goes Its Priests, So Goes the Nation”
Two significant prophetic passages today highlight the relationship between spiritual leadership and the nation.
“Sowing Seed & the Mythology of Inclusion”
Modern eyes may not approve, but the Parable of the Sower has some curious things to say about human "soil", equality of outcome, and even the cult of inclusion.
“Thoughts on the Resurrection”
Resurrected, and eternal, life is (as it turns out) baked into the Scriptures from one end to the other! Hallelujah!
“If You Are/You Are” (Good Friday)
There's interesting symmetry between the temptations Jesus experienced in the wilderness, and the account at Golgotha.
“Faith-Filled Defiance”
Today, we examine Habakkuk, for the interesting and contemporary lessons it can give us.
“Mission Drift”
Scripture certainly reminds us, repeatedly, of the the ever-present danger of "Mission Drift" within individuals, organizations, and the Church. This Lenten season, we all need to be aware of this significant, and repeating, pattern.
“The Power-Cult Be Damned”
Don't take the "apple"; receive the Tree, instead.
“The Sacrifices of Adults”
Certain societal ills cannot be solved except by Christians like you and me accepting, with steely resolve, the potential of a sacrificial death.
“A Slice of Judicial Life– Acts 24”
Acts 24 has several contemporary judicial issues embedded within it. In fact, the chapter could be a case study taken right out of more modern headlines. In truth, it's far fresher than mere critics would suggest.
“Divine Allegiance Is Our Strength”
Although Evangelicalism consistently emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus for good reason, there is an important reason to also speak of our "primary allegiance" to Jesus Christ.
“The Joshua Motif”
Some Biblical Joshuas seem meant to remind you of another in the Scripture.
“Authority in One Capernaum Moment”
The crowd in Capernaum came to terms with Jesus' authority in one fascinating moment. But the nations still struggle with it, evidently.
“Unfit for Pessimism”
Can a land remain redeemed, when the Redeemer of the land is rejected? On the other hand, when God redeems, can we possibly be in dread for the future?
“Providence and Preservation”
21 views Dec 25, 2023On the road to the arrival of Jesus Christ, there are various times when God obviously intervened. Because of this, we can look to the idea of Divine Providence, ourselves.
“Stone of Help”
In today's daytime Christmas Eve service, we take a look at the Biblical account of Ebenezer, the stone, and expand from there.