Lenten Fast

I have been considering for some time what I would give up for Lent.  I want to walk with Jesus for these next 40 days as we  move to the Cross, the Grave and then the Garden.   Giving up something that I feel I cannot do without is one such way I can “carry my [...]

It’s Lent, Not Lint

I wrote this two years ago. It is one of the few things I wrote more than even a year ago that I would still claim today….
Recently I was asked the question, “what is Lent?” Undoubtedly this is a question many people are asking this week and sadly, some will think it is nothing more [...]

A Nation of Cowards

Eric Holder, our countries first black Attorney General, gave a speech today in honor of Black History month. Rather than taking the easy way out and lauding the present accomplishments (himself included) of our day he used his speech to dig at the consciousness of America. He called us a “nation of cowards” and said [...]

The Untouchables

Old Man Cranky, they called him and he was my assignment.   I had finally arrived at my last 2 weeks of training as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and me and the rest of us soon-to-be medics were at the VA Hospital in Chicago getting some OJT – On the Job Training – [...]

The Subversive Lamb

 
The Subversive Lamb.  a sermon 
5:1Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ 3And [...]

How Is Scripture Authoritative?

 
Scripture and Authority
By Chad Holtz
 
All of us approach Scripture from a certain perspective, each differing from the other.  We all have our baggage.  Therefore, it is natural that we allow Scripture to make differing claims upon us.  When we say that Scripture has “authority” what do we mean by that?  How does that play [...]

Inclusive Emergent

I am presently part of a synchroread with a few blogges from Africa and all over who are reading “If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person.”   I just completed my contribution to that work (Chapter Two) and you can find it here:    Inclusive Emergent
Feel free to join the conversation.
grace and peace

Managing Expectations

“One of the primary duties of a pastor should be to help his or her congregation manage their expectations.”
This statement, offered by a well-intentioned fellow student in my preaching class, was meant to alleviate some of the tension our group experienced reading the Gospel of Mark 5:21-43 in various contexts (for instance, I read in [...]