Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem and everyone who heard about his coming laid palm branches down and shouted ‘Hosanna in the highest!”
What did they mean when they were shouting those words? When I was growing up I thought Hosanna was a praise word – I understood they were praising Jesus. When I became a student of the Word as an adult I learned…..
Some people think that Lenten traditions of discipline and the Christian life of repentance is all drudgery. Some think it’s about self-debasing or self-loathing and that we walk around with heavy sacks laden with remorse and sin on our backs. But that isn’t what lent and repentance is about. No, the season of Lent and the action of repentance is about lightening our loads. The season is more…..
As we move closer and closer to Easter we may have one of two several responses in regards to our fasting and repentance. We could be thinking, ‘Oh God, I can’t wait until this is over and I can . . . ” eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays again, or chocolate, watch my favorite show or whatever thing or activity it is that we set aside as an act…..
Yesterday in my post I referenced Romans 6 and mentioned the subtitle of part of the Chapter – “Slaves to Righteousness” – later in the day I read an article saying that Christians can turn people off talking about righteousness. I’ve heard the same kind of thing said about Christians in pursuit of justice. I think the truth is better said that some Christians are called to speak,…..
What do you think about when you hear the words: “Quality of Life”
Do you think about how much fun there is to be had and how much wealth there is to accumulate?
Do you think about health care issues?
Do you think about what kind of clothes a person wears?
What kind of car they drive?
…..
I was giving a presentation from my book to a group of women and I asked them if they had ever been called a temptress. Eyes opened wide and I said – not a temptress in a sensual or sexual sense – most women have been called that – I’m talking about being called a temptress because you presented temptations to other people the way the devil presented them to Jesus when they were in the wilderness together.
Those encounters…..
What if you took 40 days to fast from self-loathing? It would be a wonderful form of self-discipline and act of repentance during the Lenten Season.
So many of us are in the habit of saying some very “not nice” things about ourselves and other people and even the Lord. Negative self-talk is a vicious circle that can destroy a person, a family, an organization, the world. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I include the world in the list…..
In the business of our lives, in our daily pursuits it is good for us to take time to think about what it is we are pursuing and why we are pursuing it. Think about all the things people pursue – degrees, positions, prestige, trophies and awards, career satisfaction, justice, peace and finally, relationship. Far too often people put the pursuit of relationship in last place.
I titled an earlier post “Worshipping the Living God in Lent” In John’s Gospel,…..
Laid in a Manger
Wrapped in Love
Clothed with Hope
Full of Peace
This is The Truth
Freely Given to You and to Me
Jesus