All tagged hope
Jesus was asked twice about the suffering of others. Did he attribute that to karma? To God's punishment? To people's sin? Actually, Jesus responded in a way that affirmed the theology in Job: there is non-order (if even disorder) present in God's creation. Let's unpack what that means. I also explore the matrix of Progressive political policies. Come laugh and think with me!
Sixteen years ago Michael Mitchell fought off cancer. Five years ago it returned. He's been battling with it, off and on, but is now confronted with two-to-four months to live. By having him on the show again I want to honor both he and his ministry, but also talk with him about a topic mostly avoided in our culture: death. What would he have us consider? What is important in such a critical season? How does one keep one's sense of humor through all that. Come and join us in a poignant and important conversation.
We've been mandated to swallow a societal vaccine. What are some of the trade-offs involved? How is the topic of worldview involved? What is some of the collateral damage involved? Might the required vaccine actually be worse than the disease? How so? I tell a joke and sing a song and try to think out loud with you about questions I'm not much hearing in public. Come, think and reason with me.
Our emotional experiences are memorable, formative. So we naturally think they are foundational to our own story. On top of that? Culture prods us to embrace and emphasize emotions. What does all that do to our Christian walk? What are some practical steps for being bigger than, and less influenced by, our emotions? Join me for a bit of thinking, some laughter, and some ways out of being mere sock puppets!
Why the societal freak out? Why the unprecedented hysteria? Do the facts suggust this is the worst virus to ever hit our shores? Why do I believe there is a massive over-reaction at work? What are going to be the long-term effects of this meltdown that go far beyond the impact of the virus? I wrote a song and a lovely haiku about this event that you aren't going to want to miss! Come and laugh and relax for a few minutes while we think together.
Advent celebrates the varied ways that Christ comes to us: past, present, and future. This week of Advent focuses on anticipation and yearning. To unpack that I address the power of symbolism, what it is like to yearn, a weird dream I just had, and prayer. Also spend a few minutes sharing my reflections and concerns about Kanye West's turn to Christ.
The Christian worldview is a future-directed way of life. Significantly then that involves hope. But what is hope? How is it different from wishing or generally being positive? How is it that hope can function as a guide or strategy for our lives? Is the Christian hope a disembodied existence in heaven? I also deal with the question, what does it mean to be a successful Christian?
There are so many misunderstandings, mis-truths, about the resurrection—even among Christians! What is it decidedly NOT? Per the four Gospels, what decidedly IS it? What does it mean for your self, your body? How do crucifixion and resurrection go together? What would I do with Christianity if the resurrection were not true?
If Heaven (Intermediate state) is not our final God-intended goal, what is? Just what will resurrected life be like? Will we lose our memories? Will we lose our identities? Will we lose our friendships? What is God going to do with the earth? Will he destroy it? Where will there be continuity with this life? And, why will there be continuity with this life, this eon? Yeah, just what on earth is the Eschaton?! Come and—following the trail blazed by Scripture—think theo-logically with me about the future that awaits us!
