Presby-Musings

The Keys to The Kingdom If Jesus is our King, what does it look like to live by his Kingdom values while surrounded by kingdoms that operate under very different rules? Today we’re going to study a lesson Jesus gave about what it means to be a true leader and to serve the kingdom of God.   Let’s do a quick two-question poll. How many of you are ready for the election to be over? I was expecting 100% to raise their hands, so if you didn't, you're either too tired from Halloween festivities or your mind is numb from too many election ads.   Have you ever wondered what the best criteria are to evaluate a candidate? I mean, there are so many things to consider, right?  And you can't really go by the campaign ads because most of them are falsified, twisted, or just plain horrible.  Sometimes they will run back-to-back, making opposite claims.   Depending on which news channel you watch, you're sure to get some pretty one-sided opinions.  And these da...

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” — Albert Einstein “When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’” — John 1:38 According to John's Gospel, these are the first words Jesus speaks. And they're a question. “What are you looking for?” I love that. Jesus could have begun with a declaration. A command. A sermon. Instead, he asks a question. What are you looking for? It's a question worth sitting with. What am I looking for? Security? Meaning? Belonging? Peace? Purpose? Answers? God? Maybe we spend too much time thinking Christianity is primarily about giving the correct answers. Jesus seems remarkably interested in asking good questions. “What do you want me to do for you?” “Who do you say that I am?” “Why are you afraid?” “Do you want to be made well?” “Which of these was a neighbor?” “Do you love me?” Jesus asks questions that invite people to look beneath the surface. Maybe th...

“Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith.” — Paul Tillich “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands...I will not believe.” — John 20:25 Poor Thomas. For two thousand years we've called him “Doubting Thomas.” That seems a little unfair. Thomas wasn't there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after the resurrection. Maybe he was on a food run, or just needed some time to himself.  The Scripture doesn't tell us why he was gone.   Everyone else saw Jesus, though.   Thomas didn't. So when they tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas essentially says: I need to see for myself. Can we really blame him? If your friends told you that someone you watched die had walked into the room three days later, you might have a few questions too. Thomas says, “Unless I see...I will not believe.” Then something beautiful happens. Jesus comes back. For Thomas. Jesus doesn't shame him. He doesn't say, “Sorry, Thomas. You had your chance.” He says:...