A Thief’s Theology

“Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:42 Remember – What does remember mean to you?  If you’re a product of the Western Greek culture, you will think of “remember” as a mental action.  When we remember, we bring something to mind.  The process happens in our heads.  If this is what…

Long Enough

“and thus, having waited patiently, he obtained the promise”  Hebrews 6:15 Waited patiently – My estimation of Abraham’s patience doesn’t seem to square with the view of the author of Hebrews.  When I think of Abraham, I think of the man who protected himself at the expense of his wife (twice), who agreed to human…

Forgetting

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:6 Truth – “Someone who always tells the truth doesn’t need a good memory.”  My friend David left me with this thought a few weeks ago.  In the first century, John…

Scandalous, Risky and Insane

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV Freedom – My friend Steve hit the nail on the head.  “There is a direct correlation between your willingness to face the darkness of your own pain and your ability to live freely and…

The Politics of Freedom

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 Liberty – The Bible is an emotionally engaging book.  It’s romantic non-fiction.  It’s the greatest love story ever told.  And if you don’t feel it gripping your heart, tugging at your soul and shattering your…

Rules of Engagement

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm”  Ephesians 6:13 Stand Firm – Paul was fond of military metaphors.  This passage about the armor of God certainly is one of his best.  When he concludes the thought,…

Escape Clause

“then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!”” Psalm 116:4 Save – How was the memory trip to “hell on earth” (yesterday)?  A close encounter with hell turns life into an unbearable sickness.  That’s when David cries out, “Lord, save me!”  David gives us the only…

Hell on earth

“The chords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon me” Psalm 116:3 Sheol – I’ve already been to hell.  I didn’t have to travel far and I didn’t have to lay down six feet under.  All I had to do was live my life in total rebellion and separation from God. …

The Great Equalizer

“and if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 Do not have – In the preclude to the love hymn of the New Testament (1 Cor. 13:4-8), Paul provides…

Worn Out Metaphor

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.” Psalm 68:9 NIV Weary Inheritance – If David’s poem is only a statement about the land of Canaan, then this is just a weather report.  God brings showers to water the dry land.  Fine.  Now back to the rest of the evening news.  The…