PFC Bradley Manning was convicted as a national traitor for leaking classified military information. He faces 35 years in prison. Or does “he”? It seems Private Manning has now declared himself to be Chelsea Manning, his long-time inner and true identity. This week he released this statement: As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I […]
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Jn 3.16) I was recently reading a cartooned Scripture memorization pamphlet to my 5-year-old daughter. It was a story written to help her memorize John 3.16. The pamphlet was nicely done and broke the verse down in digestible parts. As we worked on the first […]
“…if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron 7.14). It is not uncommon to see 2 Chronicles 7.14 boldly displayed on billboards and church marquees. It is the clarion call to all citizens to pray for political, moral and […]
“For in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him” (Heb 2.8). All the world sat agape as the future King of England entered the world last week. Given the ubiquitous news coverage, I am surprised there wasn’t an Obstetricam to stream every second of the delivery live on the internet! Who wouldn’t want […]
In Part 1 I suggested an important of the glory of our Trinitarian God is the humility he displays withing the Godhead itself. He puts that humility on display in the church, where members of the Trinitarian community interact with each other in joyful submission. I would like to press into this idea further by considering what this means specifically for pastors. God’s Trinitarian imprint on the church means the pastor’s […]
Why a Trinitarian God? Presumably, if there was a better way for God to be God then he would be that. We trust therefore existing as a Three-in-God is the best form of being of the One True God. A Trinitarian God is the best God for us than a unitarian god or polytheistic godhead. What then does a Trinitarian God uniquely offer that a unitarian god or polytheistic godhead […]
Church membership means different things to different people. In the Bible Belt South, church membership is one’s civic duty. The Constantinian mandate. In North Africa, church membership might well be a death wish. In America, church membership may cost you a little time or a little money. In much of the rest of the world, it may cost you a wife, house or freedom. Whatever it means wherever it means […]
My mom (a.k.a. Mama Max) died on July 4th, 1990. This picture was taken at my 16th birthday meal at Gridley’s BBQ in Memphis. Mom wore her wig with all dignity and elegance. She would die nine months later. I’ll never forget the day. I had been watering greens at a local golf course throughout the night (Memphis summers and bentgrass greens don’t play well together). Dad was already at […]
Today is Juneteenth (a.k.a. June 19th). I was introduced to Juneteenth while living in Texas. I am thankful to reflect on its significance today, especially living in one of the more racist regions of the country. Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. In it he ordered the freedom of all slaves in the Confederacy, effective January 1, 1863. It was a courageous step on the way […]
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn 3.16). Modern Calvinist and nonCalvinist Southern Baptists tussle over John 3:16. Who exactly owns the deed to this hallowed ground? NonCalvinists insist the “whosoever will” is an impossible hurdle for Calvinists to jump. Calvinists insist “whosoever will” implies “whosoever can” which demands the sovereignly […]