He is Risen!
This post first appeared in the Bainbridge Post Searchlight (Bainbridge GA)
There are no words more significant in any human language than the words spoken by the angel on that first Easter morning. On Good Friday, it seemed that death had claimed one more victim. For fear of their own lives, those closest to Jesus went into hiding. It was just a matter of time before the Roman soldiers would come to arrest them, and possibly each of them would be nailed to a cross of their own. It seemed that with the death of Jesus on the cross, all the hopes of his followers were banished forever.
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Not Angels, But Glorified Human Beings
One of the most common misunderstandings I have encountered in forty years of ministry is that at death humans are transformed into angels. We have all heard silly sentimental statements like: “Well, now Grandmama is singing in God’s angelic choir;” or “Daddy got his angel’s wings today.” No, when we die we do not become angels. So, what happens when we die?
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Open the Eyes of My Heart
What is the Destiny of Humanity?
The resurrection of Christ holds the key to human destiny.
The universe began with a big bang. All matter was contained within a dense black hole – a cosmic egg. Suddenly the cosmic egg exploded and sent matter racing through the void of space.
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Let’s tell the Story of Life
I once saw a “Jesus” (a man dressed in costume) walking the streets carrying a sign that declared, “Jesus shed his blood for you.” While I understand the significance of that profound statement, I am forced to wonder “What does that mean for someone who doesn’t know the story?” In other words, in our post-Christian, biblically illiterate, and theologically uninformed society, how is that statement interpreted by unknowers and unbelievers? During this Holy Week and season of Easter, how can I best proclaim the Gospel?
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Shades, Angels, Memories, and the Resurrection
The most sensitive and critical moments of pastoral ministry are times of sorrow in death. This is especially true when the people we are seeking to comfort and encourage are members of our family. I have been here many times. I have presided or spoke at the funeral services of all four grandparents, my father, uncles, aunts, cousins, a nephew, and a niece. Most recently, I presided over the service for my brother, Randy. The past two weeks have been very tough. First, we lost two uncles. Then, two days after Uncle Mike died we received the news that Randy died suddenly and unexpectedly. Our grief has been profound.
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