Category Archives: Devotional Reflection

Palm Sunday was for Religious Crack Addicts of the Age of Decay

Posted on October 17, 2010 by PaulVK

In the triumphal entry Jesus finally lets the disciples fully indulge in their insufficient messianic fantasies. All throughout his ministry the disciples have been attempting to found Jesus’ kingdom upon the age of decay. This motley, politically and religiously diverse … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection, Understanding the Bible | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Jesus also goes where he’s no longer welcome

Posted on October 8, 2010 by PaulVK

I love Philip Yancey’s books and I love Matt’s blog “The Church of No People” and so when Matt did an interview with Yancey I ate it up. I especially love the line by Yancey that “God goes where he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | 1 Comment

Ecclesiastes and CS Lewis

Posted on October 8, 2010 by PaulVK

Disappointment with church runs through the post-christendom emergent movement. It is the response to the can-do seeker movement where going through the seven steps or running the bases led to predicable results of Biblical wisdom combined with American financial/psychological know-how. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Tagged | 1 Comment

Can we laugh with those who laugh?

Posted on July 24, 2010 by PaulVK

I wrote this responding to a CRC-Voices post about trying to rejoice at another person’s good fortune. Lew Smedes wrote a little booklet asking the question if we should celebrate a miracle. That was during the Wimber/Fuller Signs and wonders … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Leave a comment

On Sin

Posted on July 17, 2010 by PaulVK

Sin triggers among us a chain reaction of self-centeredness and self-righteousness that inevitably produces misery and unhappiness. The relationship between this dynamic and what we perceive to be justice is noteworthy. We immediately perceive ourselves as being wronged and bolstered … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Leave a comment

Applying the Resurrection

Posted on April 5, 2010 by PaulVK

It’s the morning after Easter Sunday for preachers and I’m in my office because I read my calendar wrong. 😦 Might as well get some work done. Lots of “he is risen” yesterday, all well meant but part of me … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection, theological | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The golden rule doesn't go far enough

Posted on March 31, 2010 by PaulVK

This is also from CRC-Voices and follows up in the discussion on posting http://leadingchurch.com/wordpress/?p=908 The golden rule is a good rule. It predates Jesus’ articulation of it and it is found in other religious traditions as well. It really doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Leave a comment

Advent is about an intervention

Posted on December 3, 2009 by PaulVK

Repost from Nov 2008 Advent begins this Sunday in many churches and the text I’m working on is Isaiah 7. Isaiah 7 finds king Ahaz in a bad spot. Judah, despite ownership of Solomon’s Temple and the legitimacy of Davidic … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Comments Off on Advent is about an intervention

The mundane seems the enemy of the grateful

Posted on November 25, 2009 by PaulVK

I haven’t seen 2012 yet. I saw the review on the Rotten Tomatoes Show and it looks like a lot of movies I’ve seen before, some of which I’ve enjoyed. Why do we love watching urban landmarks get wasted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection | Comments Off on The mundane seems the enemy of the grateful

Asking Jesus for Insider Information

Posted on October 13, 2009 by PaulVK

In Luke 13:23 a group of people ask Jesus “will only a few be saved?” This is one example of people asking Jesus for what I call “insider information”. Sometimes I hear people muse about “what will you ask God … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional Reflection, theological | Comments Off on Asking Jesus for Insider Information