John 11 today.

What are the limits of Jesus’ power?

Mary says, “If you had been here,” Jesus, Lazarus would not have died.

Mary assumes that Jesus is limited by death.

But Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

His power can bring new life, even in death.

1/x
Many of us find ourselves in situations that seem hopeless.

We think, “If only I had prayed sooner.”

Then maybe things would be better.

Perhaps.

Then again, maybe you should call out to him even now.

He is able to enter in, even when it feels too late.

He is the life.

2/x
Oddly, many people—including Christians—will read such thoughts and quietly think, “How quaint.”

This is one of the prominent dangers to Christianity in the 21st century.

In our rush to become “respectable public intellectuals,” we have forgotten:

Christianity is foolish.

3/x
Following Jesus absolutely includes living the radical lifestyle described in the Sermon on the Mount.

But it is more than that, too.

If we limit Christianity to a set of ethics, we have stripped it of its greatest power:

Supernatural belief in the Spirit of God.

4/x
Christians love and forgive and make peace and are generous and holy.

Yes.

But they also believe that God hears prayers.

That there will be a resurrection.

That God still works miracles.

That the Spirit still speaks and works and moves.

Don’t “outgrow” that.

5/x
The day Christianity becomes just another life philosophy, it loses its distinction in the world.

It is a radical way of life—fueled by the white hot hope of resurrection and the belief in the guiding and active Spirit of God.

Folly to many.

But hope to us.

Grace and peace.

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More from @Bezner

5 Oct
Lately I've been trying to ponder and circumvent the way (predominantly evangelical) church economics unintentionally hinder our effectiveness. Below are some observations. Would love any suggestions you may come up with.
I am on the board of an organization that works to start new churches in the city of Houston. I love the organization and believe it is one of the best things going in my city. Over the last five or so years, we have started several dozen churches. But, a problem arose.
We began to notice that it was very difficult to start new churches in economically depressed areas of the city. This is not because people didn't believe in the mission. Quite the opposite. It was because there was not enough funding in the neighborhood to support it.
Read 16 tweets
3 Oct
Enjoyed this interview of Camille Paglia by @clairlemon. I've long appreciated Paglia's insight and wit. Money quote from Paglia: "As an atheist, I have argued that if religion is erased, something must be put in its place." quillette.com/2018/11/10/cam…
In the same question from @clairelemon, Paglia argues that "secular humanism has failed." The fascinating thing to someone like myself (clergy/semi-academic) is the thought that any form of humanism ever *could* replace religion.
Western culture is so formed by Judeo-Christian ethics and sensibilities that it literally could not imagine a way of being in the world the wouldn't import copious amounts of Christian assumptions. Simply put: humanism doesn't have the inherent goods to create such a framework.
Read 14 tweets
2 Oct
John 10: 14-15.

Jesus: I am the good shepherd.

He guides us where we need to go. He provides. He protects.

He tends to us like a shepherd.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Jesus: I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.

You can know Jesus the same way he knows the Father.

The relationship Jesus describes is intimate, knowing.

It is an invitation to friendship.
Jesus: I lay my life down for the sheep.

This Jesus has given everything to show you his love. He lays down his life.

To protect. To preserve. To save.

He is worthy of our adoration and following.
Read 4 tweets
1 Oct
Thread on John 9.

Jesus heals a man who has been blind from his birth.

The chapter centers on an obsessive question from the Pharisees:

Who is the sinner in this situation?

They are *determined* to answer this question.
Who is the sinner?

Was it the parents of the man being punished for *their* sin by having a blind child?

Or was it the man himself somehow being punished?

Or was it Jesus using the powers of the devil to heal?

In the end, Jesus says the sinners are the Pharisees themselves.
Why?

Because they see themselves as God's appointed judges over everyone else.

Because they believe they can spiritually see, they reveal themselves to be spiritually blind.

If we want to know the power of God, we must begin with our own blindness.
Read 5 tweets
23 Sep
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken."--Hebrews 12:28

Brief thoughts on "building the Kingdom," as it has appeared in a few headlines.

First: "The Kingdom" is not synonymous with where you go after you die.
If you read the New Testament, you'll see that Jesus is saying the Kingdom is "at hand." You'll see that the Kingdom is "good news for the poor." You'll see the term "Kingdom" is in the New Testament more than the term "gospel."
In short, the Kingdom is when those who choose to follow Jesus live their lives under the rule and reign of Jesus right now. They are not waiting for death. They are embracing the surprising and countercultural Way here and now.

Love of enemies, peacemaking, forgiveness, etc.
Read 13 tweets
22 Sep
Today's Scripture reading is John 2.

One thing that has long fascinated me in this story: At what point did the water become wine?

The text is not clear. We simply discover in verse 9 that the master of the banquet has "tasted the water now become wine."

1/x
Was it wine in the stone ceremonial jars?

Or did it turn to wine when they drew it out?

Maybe it transformed at some point along the path to the master of the feast?

Or maybe it turned to wine when the master took his first sip?

We do not know. Much like our own lives.

2/x
We do not know when Jesus will redeem our pain and suffering, when what we struggle with will become victory.

Will it be this side of the Resurrection? Or will it be when Jesus descends in glory?

Truthfully, the answer is different for each of us, for our situations.

3/x
Read 4 tweets

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