Metanoia Praxis

Are you wondering what is next in this crazy mixed-up world? Are you wondering what to do, where to turn, how to feel, and how to respond? Are you willing to change if needed but you don’t know what to keep in your life and what to cast off? Well, I have good news for you today. God already has the answer for you, and I hope we can discover that answer together in the summer worship series entitled “The Way Home” based on The Letter of Paul to the Romans . The first sermon of the series, “Righteousness Through Faithfulness,” is based on Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-31 . A video and an audio podcast of the worship service and sermon are available. I have chosen this topic because whether it seems like it or not, we all assume we are on a journey to the same good place. Because of this common destination we have in mind, we tend to give in to our competitive natures along the way, making comparisons of our methods and progress with the methods and progress of others. When at our wor

As the entire world dealings with the COVID-19 virus, many Christians are asking deep questions about their faith. Fortunately, there are many aspects of the Christian faith that can help during such times. One source of help is the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, which has many powerful visions and prophecies for the people of Isreal during one of their most difficult times. Ezekiel 37:1-14 , the vision of the valley of the dry bones, is the most striking and memorable of those fantastic passages. In this passage, God has a message for the prophet Ezekiel that is intended to reassure the nation of Israel they will live again after the exile in Babylon. Its concepts of re-creation, redemption, resurrection, and restoration are still inspiring people today feel they are somehow “cut off” from their normal lives. The historical setting of the vision of the valley of dry bones is probably during the period after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem when the exiles were still in

Thomas B. Costain tells the story of the man who was a prisoner of his own freedom. During the fourteenth century, Raynald III was a duke in what is now Belgium. The younger brother, Edward, revolted against Duke Raynald, and placed him in prison. Raynald’s greatest weakness was not able to control his appetite and so he was grossly overweight. Knowing this, Edward sent him delicious food every day and Raynald grew fatter until he could not pass through the door. The conquering Edward promised his brother Raynald he was free to leave whenever he wished and on that day, his title and property would be returned to him. Anytime someone accused Duke Edward of treating Raynald cruelly he said: “My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.” He remained there for ten years until he was released after Edward’s death in battle. By then Raynald’s health was so bad that he died within a year. He was a prisoner of his own freedom. Just as Raynald was enslaved by

In the movie Saving Private Ryan , Army Captain John Miller takes his men behind enemy lines on a hard-fought and dangerous mission to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. The orders are to see to the safe return of Ryan to his grieving mother before she suffers the loss of her only remaining son. On a bridge at the end of the final battle , Captain Miller sits dying. He has completed his mission, however, and has seen to it that Private Ryan can go home. Ryan looks at Miller and explains that tank busters have come and that the battle has been won. Captain Miller, with his dying words, pulls Private Ryan close and says with his last breath, "Earn this. Earn it." He means for James to realize that many men died to set him free, so he has an obligation to do something meaningful with his life. As Ryan looks over the captain, in a voiceover we hear the words of the army chief-of-staff in a letter to Mrs. Ryan consoling her on the d

          How are things with you and your family? Is your home a place where everything runs smoothly? Are your family members all dedicated to a common purpose? Is their peace and tranquility in the midst of industrious effort for good? No? Don't feel bad, we are still working to improve at my house too.           Family is special — so special that our families are usually our dearest earthly relationships, the family is the oldest human institution on the earth, and family life is the foundation of society. Family is important and doing family life right should be one of our greatest concerns.           Joshua recognized the importance family life as he gave final instructions to the Israelites in Joshua 24:1-28 . After initial success in the promised land, the Israelites renew their covenant with God despite the requirement for righteous living it carries. We would be wise to follow the example of Joshua and his household in their choice to serve the Lord,

Have you ever heard someone say, “I do not have an enemy in the world”? Perhaps you are among those who cannot point to a single human enemy, but all of us have an enemy in the devil (1 Peter 5:8). He is described as a powerful and wicked enemy (Eph. 6:12). In our world today we see conflict and strife all around us. The news media and political pundits have recently concluded that we live in a divided world. Really? Many have known that for decades but I am glad it is now being acknowledged. We as Christians are taught to love our neighbor and pray for our enemy. Though others may make themselves our enemy, we know that our greatest enemy is evil itself, personified in the devil, that old serpent, the prince of darkness. The Christian life is warfare but not in the physical sense, and not in the sense of conflict with each other. Our battle is a continuing struggle with evil and it begins within each of us. If you have not discovered this to be your own personal experie