RezBlog
"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.
A Letter to Mary
Dearest Mary, handmaid of the Lord, may we continue to learn from your example what it looks like to obey in love. (“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your will”)
Holy Mary, mother of God, we are grateful that, aided by grace, you not only rejoiced in what the Father would do through you, but that you fully accepted your role—your place—not only in history, but in all eternity—as one glorious piece of the great puzzle—the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people.
Dearest Mary, handmaid of the Lord, may we continue to learn from your example what it looks like to obey in love. (“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your will”) Holy Mary, mother of God, we are grateful that, aided by grace, you not only rejoiced in what the Father would do through you, but that you fully accepted your role—your ...Continue Reading
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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
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Evangelism for Everyone
Recently, Lon Allison, director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, stopped by to talk with the Resurrection staff about how we are doing with evangelism. He listened as Deacon Keith outlined the bringing part of our mission. Keith described our Fall, Christmas and Easter festivals, our increase in the number of people who have been baptized, and how we've gone from a hardly-evangelistic church to a hopefully-evangelistic church. His response?
Recently, Lon Allison, director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, stopped by to talk with the Resurrection staff about how we are doing with evangelism. He listened as Deacon Keith outlined the bringing part of our mission. Keith described our Fall, Christmas and Easter festivals, our increase in the number of people who have been baptized, and how we've gone from a ...Continue Reading
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Wait in Hope
Merry Chri… I mean, Blessed Advent! Despite the fact that I have been attending Church of the Resurrection for almost eight years, it was not until this Advent that I noticed that Anglican banter that surrounds Christmas. First it was “Happy New Year!” on the first Sunday of Advent, followed by an only half-joking insistence on replacing the deeply engrained “Merry Christmas” with a ...Continue Reading
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Hope When You're Scared
When I saw the little notice on Facebook that Kevin Miller had a sermon called "Hope When You're Scared," I knew I was going to listen to it immediately. I've known Kevin for a few years, and have benefited so much from his wisdom both as a friend, as a boss, and, on some occasions, as a priest. He's someone I greatly admire because anytime he says something or gives advice, because you always ...Continue Reading
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