Just after the Israelites are caught worshiping a golden calf in Exodus, the Lord informs Moses that they will be leaving Sinai and traveling to the Promised Land. During this exchange, Moses is understandably concerned with whether God will be accompanying them throughout the rest of their voyage. The dialogue contains Moses’ famous request, that God […]
Read more "Moses and Paul on Spiritual Progress"After God brings the Israelites across the Red Sea on dry ground, he leads them in the direction of the Promised Land. He had planned for them to stop in the Sinai region on the way there, so that he could have a special meeting with them in which they would receive the Law. Moses […]
Read more "The Surprising Appeal of Golden Calves"Near the end of his earthly life, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. During that celebration, the Lord instituted a special receiving of bread and wine through which his people, from that point onward, would remember and mystically commune with him. Depending upon the tradition of which your church is a part, that event, when […]
Read more "“Communion”, “Eucharist”, or “The Lord’s Supper”?"The following is a contemplation of two Stations of the Cross: “Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns” and “Jesus Dies on the Cross” Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns Several hundred years prior to its fulfillment, the prophet Isaiah, having been shown the future sufferings of the Messiah, recounted in excruciating detail just […]
Read more "A Good Friday Reflection on the Suffering and Death of Jesus"If you’ve got even a slight church background, you are probably familiar with the word “sabbath.” It is famously included in the Ten Commandments, the Lord therein demanding that his people observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. But, what in the world is a “sabbath”? Why was it such a big deal? “Sabbath” is […]
Read more "Coming to Terms: What Does “Sabbath” Mean?"Our last takeaway from the life of Joseph comes after he’s become a big wig in Egypt. The famine has been pummeling the region for a few years, and Jacob sends his boys down to Egypt to buy grain. This scenario has the potential for major drama. The sons sold Joseph as a slave many […]
Read more "Seeing the Eternal with Joseph"Our second takeaway from the story of Joseph also comes from his time in Potiphar’s house. The notorious event that occurred there contains an inspirational act and statement by Joseph that warrants further investigation. We know that Potiphar’s wife had the hots for the Hebrew and tried to seduce him. It would have been easy […]
Read more "Fearing the Lord with Joseph"The famous story of Jacob’s son Joseph, as recorded in Genesis 37-50, tells the tale of a man subjected to great suffering, who at the same time is the recipient of unfathomable earthly blessing. Through it all, he maintains a reverent, worshipful attitude toward the God of his fathers. One takeaway from his life comes […]
Read more "Changing the Atmosphere with Joseph"This reading and study plan has been designed specifically for the families of the teens who attend Lighthouse Church’s youth group. However, all are welcome to use and share it. It is meant to join parents and children together in the enjoying of God’s Word. The reading demand is quite light: only one chapter per […]
Read more "Old Testament Reading & Study Plan for Families: March 2016"This post has been written for parents of church-going children, particularly teens. As a youth pastor, I am charged with facilitating the spiritual growth of the middle and high-schoolers in our congregation. Some would describe the task of a youth pastor differently, that he is responsible for discipling the young people of his church. Others, […]
Read more "3 Musts for Parents of Church-Going Children"
At the Table 