Life's Inanities and Ironies

 Today, I want to invite you on a profound spiritual journey—a journey that takes us back thousands of years, into the very heart of ancient Israelite worship, and then catapults us forward to the eternal truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We’re going to explore Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and discover how this solemn observance illuminates the glorious work of our Savior. Now, as Christians, we live under grace, not under the Law. This is a foundational truth of our faith, and it’s a truth that sets us free! Yet, to dismiss the Old Testament, to ignore the rich tapestry of God’s dealings with Israel, would be to miss the very blueprint for understanding our redemption. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, the Law, its rituals, and its sacrifices were but a "shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities" (Hebrews 10:1). The shadows always point to a substance, and for us, that substance is Christ. Yom Kippur: A Day of Holy Awe Y...

 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking. The Misunderstood Side of Grace We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating ...