Posts Tagged: "legalism"

Qualities of a Safe Church

These are the notes from a sermon I preached on the first Sunday of Summer – on June 26, 2022…

Summer has officially arrived! Feels good, doesn’t it?

It seems like the most difficult and life-altering days of pandemic life are behind us now, I hope, and we can once again enjoy meals together and taking actual vacations and stuff. Hallelujah.

Next week, our Songs of Summer series begins as we look to the poetry of the Psalms and draw some connections to popular music that we know. For that first Sunday in July, we’ll be outdoors, on the lawn, for church.

Yes, it finally feels like summertime!

Psalm 18.2

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. God is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

 

Psalm 61.4

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Selah

 

Selah… A break in the music—a pause for dramatic effect. A chance to sit and let it soak in.

Safe beneath the shelter of your wings. 

I like it. I need it. Amen.

Hi.

My name is Brian and I’ve been in the church nearly every Sunday since… Read More

“Blessings” That Amount To A Load Of Crap

- - Popular, Uncategorized

 

I’ve noticed something that we Americans, especially American Christians, do frequently:

When being asked something that feels too “personal” and invades our private sensibilities, we shift into giving sweeping generalizations, philosophical ramblings, and ambiguous blessings.

Here are some examples:

Q. Do you give money to beggars?

A. That’s a tough one. I’ve heard that some of these guys actually make more money in a day standing at an intersection holding a sign than they would if they went out and got a legitimate job… Read More