Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “To follow Christ is to obey Christ.” The apostles had the privilege of literally “coming after” Jesus. For them, following Jesus meant geography, physicality, and proximity. But after Jesus’ resurrection their following of him became more like ours. Obedience outstripped physical presence. The lesson text today picks up where we left off […]
Most of us exaggerate now and then, using expressions that would be outrageous if taken literally. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” “I have told you a million times not to do that.” Hyperbole isn’t meant to falsify or misrepresent the facts, but to intensify them. We exaggerate our points in order to […]
From the first moment we see our children, we’re hooked. Our hearts swell with emotions and with the instinctual desire to protect, nurture, and provide for them. The Bible tells us children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127) and yet any parent knows that the job of raising and discipling kids in today’s […]
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates) The morning meeting would be huge. A corporate account and personal income rested in the outcome of the meeting. Of all days to oversleep. No time to properly shower and dress. A quick glance in the mirror failed to reveal out of sequence buttons, unkempt hair, and […]
Jesus not only had risen from the dead; he had also appeared alive many times to validate his resurrection. Dr. Lynn Gardner lists at least 10 resurrection appearances by Jesus in the New Testament (Christianity Stands True). These appearances were to individuals and groups, to men and women, to leaders and non-leaders. The word appeared […]
