love (319)

Ian

Inconceivable!

1 Samuel 16:1–13; 1 Timothy 4:11–16 In the movie, The Princess Bride, Vizzini the Sicilian (trust me, it’s part of the plot) faces against the supposed Dread Pirate Roberts. The Dread Pirate Roberts defies Vizzini’s plans and expectations. Each time, the word, “Inconceivable,” escapes Vizzini’s…

Continue reading...
Ian

You Want Me to do What?

1 Samuel 3:1–21; Acts 9:10–19a One of the biggest memes currently floating around is basically “forget 2020”. The gist of it is that it was such an upsetting year (politically, culturally, environmentally, health-wise, etc.) that we should just put it behind us. Is that, though,…

Continue reading...
Ian

Saving Love

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” —John 3:17 (NRSV) Have you ever started disciplining a kid (whether your own, relative, or perhaps you were bold and…

Continue reading...
Ian

Power to…

Jeremiah 31:10–14; John 5:19–40 If you had the power to change anything and everything, would you? If you could eliminate war, disease, hatred, bigotry, misogyny…would you? If you could judge people perfectly…would you? The structure of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is a conundrum.

Continue reading...
Ian

Kingdom Justice

Psalm 7; Revelation 19:1–9 “They got what they deserved.” We long for justice. In fact, much of the separation between political parties and people, in general, is defined by justice. When we look at emotionally charged issues such as racism, justice is often the biggest…

Continue reading...