Reading through a songbook I stumbled on the now dated chorus "Change My Heart Oh God", this started me thinking about other songs that mention metaphors of hardhearted, or heart of stone and our need for change to be like God. Then I started down the Twitter rabbit hole where I saw any number of... Continue Reading →
This week I saw a ridiculous debate on Twitter, is it appropriate to say, "God loves you" to those outside the Church. How is this even a debate? Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This means precisely that even when... Continue Reading →
Resurrection Sunday is this Sunday and so I am rereading the story of Jesus' final week and this year, because of the lectionary, I am reading it in Luke. As I was reading something jumped off the page for me, as Jesus is trying to bind the new community (his disciples) together in common worship,... Continue Reading →
It is time to remember Jesus' death and that means at some point soon most Christians will hear the story of Peter denying Jesus as he stands outside of Jesus' trial (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-27). Most people are aware that prior to being arrested Jesus makes a prediction that Peter (like... Continue Reading →
I have been brushing up on some elements of Church history for a lecture I am giving Saturday (you can find more info here). I read about the Roman Emperor Constantine who, though "converting" to Christianity in 312, put off his baptism until near his death in 337. I confess I have not been much... Continue Reading →
Saints & Idiots 