My previous posts were highlighting the misery section of the catechism. Why did the Heidelberg focus so much on misery to begin the document? If you don’t see the need for grace, the reality of God’s unmerited favor won’t seem quite as amazing to you. Our Western mindsets are ones…
The House of Mourning and the House of Feasting
There are different seasons in the life of a Christian, but unlike the seasons of the weather these can be harder to forecast. I go to a life group meeting every Tuesday night. Conversation, Bible study, and then the men and women separate for a time of prayer. The leaders…
Heidelberg Study: Part I: Misery: Chapter 3
It is important to remember that misery was not the original intention of creation, for it was “very good” in every way. Today we take a look at the ramifications of the fall. These things that are just a part of life for us were not intended originally, and part…
Heidelberg Study: Part I: Misery: Chapter 2
A recap from my last post: Adam was created without sin, then plunged himself and all of his progeny into sin. But God, as the creator, has no obligation to accept us just as we are. We can point to human frailties with a sense of dismissal, but God looks…
Heidelberg Study: Part I: Misery: Chapter 1
In the parable of the soils, Jesus talks about the good news being cast far and wide, and in some circumstances it takes root and multiplies. But in other cases it is short lived. The soil is too rocky. The soil is too littered with competing weeds. Before you could…
Heidelberg Study: Introduction
Not to be confused with Heidelberg Study: Intro. The Intro was just me setting up the project. The Introduction is the official project’s first entry. If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Or so they say. Let’s begin with the two questions that are in this section and…
Heidelberg Study: Intro
Those who were followers of my blog two decades (!) ago didn’t need too much context. There was no social media then, blogs served that purpose. I shared my conversion, baptism, growth and more day by day. My son got a hamster and the readers knew about it. There were…
His law is love and His gospel is peace
I love this time of year. The anticipation is building toward the celebration of God becoming flesh. People are preparing celebrations, complete with special treats and gifts for one another. Houses are lit up in anticipation. The cold weather is just beginning and isn’t yet burdensome. Movies and songs are…
Tablets and Hearts of Stone
Do you recall the account of Moses placing the tablets of the Law into the Ark of the Covenant? The Law can seem so different from the society we have today, what with all the washings and sacrifices and ceremonies. But all of it points to Jesus, so all of…
On Justice, Mercy and Walking Humbly.
You know that verse that says to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God? I realized today that it never tells you to seek justice. It tells you to do justice and to act in a just manner. Look it up in your preferred translation! I’ll be…