Sitting on the front porch with my son, catching lightning bugs, he asks me where Jesus is.I say Jesus is in heaven with God...the Father. Pause. "Dad, is God the Father scary?" What a question! What do I say?Do I tell my three-year-old yes? Do I try the old, "Well, yes and no"? Do I explain C. S. Lewis' God-is-good-but-not-safe Aslan illustration? Do I talk about … [Read more...] about Is God Scary?
Theology
Civil Obedience
What struck the jailer with awe? "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were … [Read more...] about Civil Obedience
Images of the Church – The Temple
The Temple of the Old Testament figured large in the minds of the Israelites. The temple, as a physical structure, symbolized the presence of God in Israel, and in fact, God’s presence rested on the Temple. Life for the average Israelite centered on the Temple. People made regular pilgrimages there for festivals and to fulfill sacrificial rites and responsibilities. The … [Read more...] about Images of the Church – The Temple
Images of the Church – Sesame Street
I think it’s safe to say everyone loves Sesame Street. How can you resist those furry little creatures, that big yellow bird, and even that grouch in a trashcan? One trait that marks Sesame Street is diversity. Sesame Street displays a wide variety of people and creatures. Hispanics, Asians, African-Americans, monsters, big birds, fairies, snuffleupaguses...all crowd the … [Read more...] about Images of the Church – Sesame Street
Images of the Church – The Grand Foyer
Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to see several Broadway musicals. The experience is always memorable. But in particular, I am often struck by the decor and layout of each theatre. They are all so unique, full of history, polished and ornate. When I enter the grand foyer, I instantly feel something special. By contrast, go to an everyday movie theatre, and … [Read more...] about Images of the Church – The Grand Foyer