“Are We Listening” February 12th, 2017 Elijah the Tishbite is running from the law. Queen Jezebel has killed hundreds of the prophets and King Ahab has sent the army out looking for Elijah. Elijah appears like a fugitive out of nowhere, running here, hiding there, and taking refuge from King Ahab and his Phoenician Queen […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
…. God judges a nation by its principles not its power. National greatness does not come from fire-power or economic clout but from ethics. Our high minded American forefathers looked to principles as our national foundation: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (people) are created equal, that they are endowed by […]
Our country is far from a united state, or so says my inbox, newsfeed and pastoral conversations. Jesus predicts, “A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). Given entrenched disagreement, the safest route for any pastor is on the sidelines laying low until the torrent passes. Frankly, I prefer to keep silent, not speaking […]
Why do we go to the gym? I swim to be changed or at least maintain my current level of fitness. If I miss a few days in the pool, I know I am letting the daily grind damage my health. Church is a lot like the gym. Jesus’ church offers transformation, community and a […]
What kind of book is the Bible? I think the Bible is a personal book telling a story of our God’s interaction with sinful folks like you and me. Jesus references God’s personal relationship with us by quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of […]
“Run in such a way that you may win the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25). Perhaps the Apostle Paul was a runner or maybe all his missionary travels gave Paul an appreciation of race walking. Eckhard J Schnabel estimates that the Apostle Paul traveled some 8,700 miles over land and some 6,800 miles over sea in […]
“Christmas Traveling” Where are you heading this Christmas? When you consider that ancient travel involved walking or straining to stay atop a donkey or camel, you realize the First Christmas involved a lot of travel. So tonight, I wonder about our travels. Where are we headed this Christmas? What do you seek? Luke’s Gospel begins […]
After cousin Eddie parks his RV in front of the Griswold home, a squirrel attacks grandma, cousin Eddie’s Rottweiler destroys the dining room, Aunt Edna’s cat bites into a string of lights, the Christmas tree burns up along with Uncle Lewis’ toupee, the Christmas bonus turns out to be a Jelly of The Month Club, and […]
Christmas comes through worship. Luke’s Gospel opens with a priest worshipping in the Temple making the incense offering while the whole assembly prays. Mary will sing “my soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” On that first Christmas Eve, worship comes not in the Temple but out in the fields, with […]
What do you want for Christmas? What are you hoping for this Christmas? We ask each other “what do you want for Christmas?” That cute Post Office commercial has stuck an earworm in my head. “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do. Don’t want a doll. No dinky tinker toy. I […]
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