Parable of the Unfair God

Today's guest post comes from Aaron McCarter, pastor of the Vineyard in Maryville, TN. Aaron has been my pal for a number of years. He has an easy-going style: you find yourself at ease immediately. He's very likable. All of these qualities merely draw you in until you realize you're in the presence of a disciple of the King--the kind of person who will not settle for anything less than God's best in your life, or his. He and his wife, Sharon have two kids. He blogs here, tweets here, and follows Jesus pretty much everywhere. 

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard . . . 

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The Man With All The Answers

When I took Systematic Theology in graduate school Devlin Lucent was the best student in the class by far. Devlin knew all the answers. He never lost his cool. He was ridiculously good-looking. Sometimes he asked the professor questions so clever the professor would start to answer, stop, and then say, “That’s a very interesting question, Devlin. Class, what do you think?”

One day I had to know why Devlin even bothered with this class. I caught up with him on the quad.

“Hey, why do you ask such impossible questions?”

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Meditation: We Need More Than Revelation

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for this was revealed to you not by man, but by my Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) With these words Jesus confirmed his identity as the anointed One, the Messiah and Christ.

Simon Peter had correctly answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” Jesus declared that Peter’s answer came not by human reasoning but by direct revelation from God Himself. What I find challenging are two specific verses that come just after this high point of revelation.

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Embracing God's Actual Family

Recently I saw this post on a blog: “The Apostle Paul was never a member of one church and one church only.” Other people who posted comments quickly agreed with the statement. Both the author and those who agreed had it exactly wrong.

I know: "wrong" is an offensive word these days; it is a word used only by misguided traditionalists. It is the bane of Spiritual Progressives. But if I am headed in the wrong direction--toward danger--the most progressive thing I can do is turn around and head back until I find the right path again.

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Meditation: The Mark of an Apostle

In a dream I traveled with the Apostle Paul. I joined him one morning and we walked a dusty road to some town not mentioned among the epistles.

I had so many questions for him: What did he mean by “work out your salvation in fear and trembling?” Why did he still bother with those crazy people in Corinth? How could he and Barnabas have decided to go their separate ways when it was so clear they complimented each other perfectly? My list was endless; his patience was not.

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Meditation: The Lessons of Grace

You’ve already doing it, usually unaware. But now: take a breath. Breathe deep.

Again. This time feel the air circulate through your nose; feel your chest swell, and instead of expelling the air with force, allow it to find its way out.

The air we breathe reaches the smallest parts of our body--not one cell is without access to the air we breathe. The air we breathe will clean our blood and strengthen every cell. The air we breathe is the grace of God.

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Parable of the Two Suitors

Today's guest post comes from Dusty Snyder, a deep thinker with the heart of a poet. Dusty and his wife, Emily live and work on the campuses of two small liberal arts colleges.
Beneath his calm and reserved exterior you discover and engaging and lively intellect, playful and welcoming. You can follow him on Twitter, or travel to Central Kentucky and follow him for real.

Once there were two suitors. The first saw the woman he desired and purposed in his heart to win her affections, and he began to scheme. He knew one way he could be seen as a worthy suitor by the woman was if he rescued her from danger.

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Meditation: Answering the Big Questions

Sometimes the big questions intersect with our everyday life. My opinions about regarding large “theological” questions trickle all the way down to my ability to follow Jesus day-by-day. For example, my view of the scripture will determine how much authority it has in my life. My understanding of God’s purpose for marriage will find it’s way into my choices about sex. Or, for example, my view of the church will influence my everyday life as a follower of Jesus.

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The Parables of Our Heart's Condition

The other day I was having coffee with Dallas WIllard -- no, wait -- that wasn't me, it was someone else. But I certainly wish it was me.

Dr. Willard is a gift to the church. For decades his work has centered on the deep joy of becoming an apprentice to the Master of Life, Jesus. Today's parable-post is drawn from his excellent article, "How to Become a Disciple," which originally appeared in The Christian Century, but was adapted from his book, The Divine Conspiracy, Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God:

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God's Now

Jesus said some pretty outrageous things; sometimes you just have to wonder if he was serious. What happens when we see him face-to-face and he says, “Oh, that! I was just yanking your chain.” Or not. Perhaps he meant what he said.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

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