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For Richer or Poorer

Today I was asked to speak to the students of Hesston College for their chapel service and interpret their theme verse of Luke 4:18-19

 

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Lk 4:18-19). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

I always love speaking to college students, but I thought this theme would be challenging to all of us. My apologies to the diehards in our faith community. While the message is new, I’m sure you’ve heard all the stories if you’ve been in our church for years. (BTW – video quality is no good, but the message is there…)

 


Download Video

 

 

15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
16 wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.a
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us reason together,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

a Or | rebuke the oppressor
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Is 1:15-18). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
What are some ways we rich people can embrace those in need:
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

  1. Serve in our churches
  2. Adopt a child through Compassion International or WorldVision
  3. Get involved in International Justice Mission
  4. Go on a personal mission (we’re going to Mexico, Turkey, maybe even Nebraska… come along)
  5. Don’t forget global rich list

We are rich, embrace those in need, lets live the life

 

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On Vision

Last night I had the opportunity to speak to a small group of college students called Christian Challenge (check them out on line http://www.hutchchallenge.net/.

They meet every Monday night at Venue 302 in Hutch and it’s always awesome to be with them. On this occassion I had the opportunity to teach on the issue of vision (or God-given direction in life).

Hope it’s helpful to some of you. Many blessings.

(By The Way… this was recorded with my little FLIP camcorder sitting on the front row… so, sorry about the quality) Continue reading “On Vision”

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A teeny tiny God?

Have you ever been guilty of making your God too small?

Consider my cyber-hand raised. It’s really easy to forget that God is so much bigger than us, our concerns and our world.

Just hold on you hyper-spiritualists who say, “Not I! I never underestimate God.” Just take your pious selves back to your pew and sing a hymn or something, because you’re wrong. How can I be so bold you may ask?

The Bible says so… nini nini boo boo (don’t you love the classy argumentation offered here in this blog). Continue reading “A teeny tiny God?”

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Lions and Tigers and Trees, Oh My!

I didn’t know trees could walk. And, the thought of this is terrifying news to me.

I was one of those countless millions who crowded round the TV set once year when the Wizard of Oz was broadcast on one of the major networks and didn’t want to miss the visual spectacular.

Then, years later, it came out on DVD and my own children got hooked on the “Lizard of Oz” (by the way I didn’t correct their mispronunciation out of sheer hope that they would really believe that was the title and would one day bring it up in conversation in High School, or better yet as an adult… hilarious. Oh, the therapy bills yet to come.) Continue reading “Lions and Tigers and Trees, Oh My!”

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Mercy?

Wow… I’ve never been so thankful that I’m not getting paid for this. If this blog was my job, I’d have been fired with a capital “F”. Sorry it’s been so long.

But, I don’t base my significance on my blogging performance, so, I will continue to remember that I am good enough, smart enough and gosh darn it… people like me (thank you Stuart Smalley, you’ve changed my life. By the way, if you don’t know what I’m talking about there are one of two reasons: 1. you either go to bed way too early on Satuday nights, or 2. you have a life and don’t stay home watching TV on the weekends).

Anyway, back to the blogging. This morning I was getting the lowdown on my faith with my homeslice the gospel of Marky Mark forshizzel… ite!

…sorry, every now and then I slip into 80’s gangsta rap vernacular. I thinks it’s due to some head trauma I suffered while watching Boyz n the Hood… kind of like tourettes, I think. Continue reading “Mercy?”

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Say What You Mean

It’s been one of my favorite verses/stories for the longest time.

It has all the elements: a desperate father, and afflicted child, religious tension and a climactic ending. It’s the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

In this father’s desperation to find an answer for his son, he cries out to Jesus and says “if you can do anything” please stop standing there and show some compassion… fix my boy! Continue reading “Say What You Mean”