RezBlog
Don't Forget Me: Why Compassion Ministries?
A few years ago I quit my job as a pastor and started working at a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. One of the six adults under my care was a 40-something man named James, a zealously friendly guy who met everyone—and I mean everyone
A few years ago I quit my job as a pastor and started working at a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. One of the six adults under my care was a 40-something man named James, a zealously friendly guy who met everyone—and I mean ...Continue Reading
Posted In: Compassion | Comments (0)
For Children Only: Matthew 18:1-4
Throughout the gospels, Jesus often mingled with we might call “little people”—social misfits like lepers, the chronically ill, religious outsiders, tax-collectors and prostitutes, and especially children. Our world is also filled with “little people”: angry adolescents, “unwanted” babies, “old folks” crammed into nursing homes, the mentally ill (and those who love them), moral “failures,” immigrants, and the nearly invisible substrata known as the poor, or what one author calls “the bottom billion.Throughout the gospels, Jesus often mingled with we might call “little people”—social misfits like lepers, the chronically ill, religious outsiders, tax-collectors and prostitutes, and especially children. Our world is also filled with “little people”: angry adolescents, “unwanted” babies, “old folks” crammed into nursing homes, the mentally ill (and those who love them), ...Continue Reading
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"I’m ‘Spiritual’ but Not ‘Religious’”—Part 2
Right on the heels of Peter’s amazing spiritual insight about Jesus (“You are the Christ”), Matthew shares another story about Peter’s botched attempt to follow Jesus. Apparently Peter got fed up with all this talk about a suffering Christ, so Peter performed an intervention on Jesus. He basically tells Jesus, “Get a grip and stop this incessant and negative self-talk. You’re the Messiah; now act like one!
Right on the heels of Peter’s amazing spiritual insight about Jesus (“You are the Christ”), Matthew shares another story about Peter’s botched attempt to follow Jesus. Apparently Peter got fed up with all this talk about a suffering Christ, so Peter performed an intervention on Jesus. He basically tells Jesus, “Get a grip and stop this incessant and negative ...Continue Reading
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"I’m 'Spiritual' but Not 'Religious'" - Part 1: Matthew 16:13-28
I meet many people who say they like Jesus but then they’re quick to add, “I guess I’m spiritual but not religious.” Before the 20th century we used the words “spiritual” and “religious” almost interchangeably, but now many people prefer the “spiritual but not religious” (or SNR) label.
Unfortunately, this SNR trend often implies that ...Continue Reading Posted In: Devotional Series | Comments (0)
I meet many people who say they like Jesus but then they’re quick to add, “I guess I’m spiritual but not religious.” Before the 20th century we used the words “spiritual” and “religious” almost interchangeably, but now many people prefer the “spiritual but not religious” (or SNR) label.
Unfortunately, this SNR trend often implies that the church is optional to one’s spiritual journey. But according to Jesus, this SNR penchant for “church-free” or “church-lite” discipleship isn’t just an innocent difference of opinion; it’s a colossal rejection of Jesus’ plan for the world. Jesus restores the world through a new community, a specific, concrete group of real human beings who live with him.
Food Matters
I used to love Hot Pockets. O, the tasty, juicy, greasy goodness stuffed into that magical baking sleeve! But ever since I read Michael Pollan’s book In Defense of Food I haven’t been able to wolf down a single Hot Pocket. According to Pollan, a Hot Pocket isn’t “real food” (just grab your magnifying glass and chemistry textbook and read the ingredients).
I used to love Hot Pockets. O, the tasty, juicy, greasy goodness stuffed into that magical baking sleeve! But ever since I read Michael Pollan’s book In Defense of Food I haven’t been able to wolf down a single Hot Pocket. According to Pollan, a Hot Pocket isn’t “real food” (just grab your magnifying glass and chemistry textbook and read the ...Continue Reading
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Getting in the House: Matthew 15:21-28
Throughout Matthew’s very Jewish Gospel we’ve seen hints (see Mt 1:2-17; 2:1-12; 8:5-13; 15:1-20) that Jesus’ kingdom will reflect his multiethnic creation. But this story doesn’t seem like a good place for Jesus to launch his multi-ethnic ministry. A woman with a need, raw and vulnerable, approaches Jesus and starts screaming for help, and Jesus seems to give her a cold shoulder. Why doesn’t Jesus seem to act like the Jesus we know and love?
Throughout Matthew’s very Jewish Gospel we’ve seen hints (see Mt 1:2-17; 2:1-12; 8:5-13; 15:1-20) that Jesus’ kingdom will reflect his multiethnic creation. But this story doesn’t seem like a good place for Jesus to launch his multi-ethnic ministry. A woman with a need, raw and vulnerable, approaches Jesus and starts screaming for help, and Jesus seems to give her a cold ...Continue Reading
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Beautiful Flops: Matthew 14:22-33
R.O. Blechman is often hailed as the most famous illustrator in the world. But for every successful work, Blechman claims that most people would be shocked by his string of failures. In a series of letters to a young protégé, Blechman shares his ongoing struggle with artistic flops:
R.O. Blechman is often hailed as the most famous illustrator in the world. But for every successful work, Blechman claims that most people would be shocked by his string of failures. In a series of letters to a young protégé, Blechman shares his ongoing struggle with artistic ...Continue Reading
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Welcome to the Little Way: An Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew
We are entering a sermon series called "The Meaning Behind the Miracles" that focuses on readings from the Gospel of Matthew chapters 14-16. For the next five weeks, Resurrection's own Matt Woodley will be sharing reflections on these passages taken from his upcoming commentary on the Gospel of Matthew published with Intervarsity Press. You can also find these reflections in a booklet form here.
We are entering a sermon series called "The Meaning Behind the Miracles" that focuses on readings from the Gospel of Matthew chapters 14-16. For the next five weeks, Resurrection's own Matt Woodley will be sharing reflections on these passages taken from his upcoming commentary on the Gospel of Matthew published with Intervarsity Press. You can also find these reflections in a booklet form ...Continue Reading
Posted In: Devotional Series | Comments (0)
