relationship (202)

Ian

Being Pulled

Deuteronomy 9:13–21, Luke 21:34–38, Hebrews 3:12–19 The culture wars are over. Or are they? Just this week, the Chinese government reaffirmed its attack on Christianity, promising to root out any “Westernizing” characteristics to Chinese culture. The conference last month held by the United Methodist Church…

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Ian

First Monday of Lent

Proverbs 3:33–4:27, Genesis 3:21–4:7, Luke 3:4–18 (Grand)Parents can pass on wisdom to their (biological, mentored, or spiritual) children and grandchildren. Sometimes the wisdom is things learned, sometimes it is pain survived. In Proverbs, we see a collection of wisdom sayings. Living a good life has…

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Ian

First Sunday of Lent

Psalm 50, Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:1–18 Humankind is always trying to figure God out. Humankind will often take a human role/position and apply it to God. It is not wrong to do this, in scripture we see, “Lord of lords.” There is an explicit understanding…

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Ian

First Friday of Lent

Genesis 2:20–3:20, Proverbs 3:19–35, Isaiah 3:1–14 When telling a story it is often best to start at the beginning. Sometimes authors don’t for they feel it might ruin the tension of the story. Other times, the story does start at the beginning for the main…

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Ian

Unveiling Transfiguration

Psalm 99, Exodus 34:29–35, 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2, Luke 9:28–36 Sometimes things we are unaware of about ourselves become a separator be us and others. Imagine Moses already feeling the pressure of leading these people. The strain of leadership along with the regular stubbornness of the…

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