THE BLOG
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Kenosis
Who [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! || Philippians 2:6–8
Kenosis is a Greek word meaning “emptiness” or “to empty.” It is the word that theologians use to describe verse 7 when Jesus “makes himself nothing” or “empties himself” by taking on the nature of a slave/servant. Jesus maintains His deity, but somehow empties Himself? Because of this, people continue to ask questions like “what did Jesus know,” “what did he learn,” and “could Jesus walk on water as a boy?” These questions might be fun to debate, but they miss the point of the kenosis.
Spiritual Evergreens
Washington is called the “Evergreen State.” The experts say we have 25 different types of evergreens growing in our state. While most of the evergreens are in the western side of the state, these conifers are found in every part of the state. The one thing they all have in common is what we enjoy most about them…they never stop being green.
You could say that the Lord wants us to be evergreen-like followers who never stop displaying and growing three virtues in our lives. These virtues are well-known, but easily neglected and underdeveloped.
Paul unveils them in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.
The Thanksgiving Song
One of my favorite quotes around Thanksgiving is “everyone seems to be thankful at Thanksgiving, except the Turkeys.” I’m not sure who said that, perhaps a vegan, but I’m thankful the Lord gave us some tasty meat to enjoy during this national time of Thanksgiving, especially the white meat (with stuffing and gravy on top).
There is only one song in the book of Psalms that is specified as “a Psalm of Thanksgiving,” and it is Psalm 100. It is the last of what is known as the Royal Psalms (or Theocratic Enthronement Psalms: 93–100). These psalms highlight God’s Sovereign reign over all as King and Judge and they call all nations to worship Him.
God chose to use two Hebrew words for “thanksgiving” and they are both used in this psalm in the same verse (v. 4).
Why? Why? Why?
Why? We all ask this question from time to time about the smallest of things (Why do I keep losing my keys?) to the biggest of things (Why did God allow my child to die?).
Asking the why questions is a very normal human response since God has given us a rational mind that wants to make sense out of things until they don't make sense. Why do I have a terminal disease? Why isn't God answering my prayers? Why do I suffer chronic pain? Why did my spouse suddenly leave me? Why am I continually experiencing financial loss? Why do I feel so lonely? Why is life so hard? Why do I struggle with depression?
Why? Why? Why?
Quotables by Notables to Live By
We have all been moved in one way or another by famous quotes like:
“Give me liberty or give me death.”(Patrick Henry during a speech to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia)
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”(President John F. Kennedy at his inaugural address as the 35th president of the United States on Friday, January 20, 1961, at the East Portico of the United States Capital in Washington D.C.)
Both of these quotes have been monumental in the life and development of our country, but when it comes to words that have monumentally transformed lives for eternity, here are some profound words:
Eyes Wide Open
Two words seem to jump out at you in God’s Word from time to time: “Beware” and “Do not be deceived.” They are important warnings designed to grab our attention about the dangers in living out the Christian life.
I used to play a game as a kid where you would close your eyes and then let a friend guide you with their voice. You had to trust them. But sometimes you had some prankster friends who would guide you into a puddle or ditch or into rose bushes or other potentially harmful places. You thought their guidance could be trusted until you found yourself in a mess.
Be a Spiritual Optimist
What is an optimist? Well, it depends on who you ask:
One husband was overheard saying, “an optimist is a person who keeps his car’s motor running while his wife goes shopping.” (I hope the ladies are laughing.)
Another quipped, “How can you easily spot an optimist? It’s like an older person buying green bananas.”
Still another offered this interesting view, “An optimist is someone who, after being pushed off a bridge, says, ‘so far so good.’”
Two Opportunities to help missions
Two Opportunities to Help our Missionaries
Matching Gift Opportunity for South Africa Missions Project, building fund for Tugela Ferry Church, Beginning October 30.
Special Need for Bona Demo, wife of Edi Demo who leads the Illyricum Movement Church Planting Ministry in Albania. Bona will need a kidney transplant sometime between December 2022 and February 2023.
Our Full Meal Deal
I have always loved Dairy Queen, not only for their Dilly Bars, Peanut Buster Parfaits, and all the mouth-watering flavors of their famous Blizzards, but I miss the great taste and bargain of the Full Meal Deals. The Full Meal Deal was an ‘80s promotion that offered a hamburger, crunchy fries, a sundae, and a drink for—wait for it—$2.79. Oh my, those were the days.
As good as the Full Meal Deal was in my life, it only briefly satisfied my hunger pangs for a few hours and then I was hungering and thirsting for some more sustenance. In fact, The Full Meal Deal did nothing for my mental, emotional, or spiritual life. It might have been a meal and a good deal, but it was never really full in the sense that it satisfied my life.
