Romans-One New Humanity-Part 1-The Oneness Vision

Romans-One New Humanity-Part 1-The Oneness Vision

I have typically read Paul's letter to Rome like it was an essay written for the church at large for all times and for all places. In fact, Paul, Jesus' apostle to the nations, in about 57 A.D., wrote a pastoral letter to several house churches in Rome. He mentions 26 members of the Roman church by name in chapter 16. He knew a lot about the churches and he was very concerned with simmering divisions within those churches. The churches were composed of a great diversity of folks, Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, as well as male and female. A dispute was heating up in the church between a group that Paul called the "Weak," primarily Jewish believers, and a group that Paul called the "Strong," primarily Gentile believers. Neither group had much use for the other and that was the problem! He had strong words for both groups. The issues have to do with the place of circumcision, sabbath keeping, and the Jewish food laws in the life of the Churches. Paul used eleven chapters to give the churches a solid Christ centered foundation on which to live together as "One People of God." His overriding message was that one church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, living to the Glory of God, is the will of the LORD God. He declared in chapter 12, "All of us are members one of another." He followed up this declarative in chapter 15 with the imperative: "Welcome each other as Christ has welcomed you, for the Glory of God." Tom Wright was recently asked, "What about today's church would most disturb the apostle Paul?" To which he replied. "Our many, many divisions and our LACK OF CONCERN about it." Come on this journey with us through Paul's wonderful letter which invites us to rediscover the "Power of Oneness."

Dying Into The Resurrection-Part 8-Remember Your Creator

At age 84 I am staring at the end of life as I have known it. Yet I am seeing, with the eye of faith, beyond my death and burial. I am living into the resurrection of Jesus the LORD. However, living in faith has not delivered me from doubt, from grief, from many losses, and fears. I cannot deny my own dying. It is on top of me every day. The worst of it is contemplating separation from Donna, my wife of 58 years. I think we need to talk to each other about death and about our dying. In fact, we need to die in the church declaring the "victory that has overcome the world." It is also true that at 84 and in reasonably good health, I am called to share my life with those running alongside me and those a generation or two behind. Donna and I have love, knowledge, and wisdom that others need. Too many of us are victimized by the foolishness of isolation, self-pity, and a thumb sucking second childhood. For us it is a time of living wisely, sharing the victory of faith and the wisdom gained from 60 years of preaching, pastoring, and prophesying in the church, as well as 30 years of lawyering, combined with parenting two adult children and eight grandchildren. Come join us on this journey of memory and anticipation as we learn to live by "Dying Into The Resurrection."

Dying Into The Resurrection-Part 7-Wisdom Fears God

At age 84 I am staring at the end of life as I have known it. Yet I am seeing, with the eye of faith, beyond my death and burial. I am living into the resurrection of Jesus the LORD. However, living in faith has not delivered me from doubt, from grief, from many losses, and fears. I cannot deny my own dying. It is on top of me every day. The worst of it is contemplating separation from Donna, my wife of 58 years. I think we need to talk to each other about death and about our dying. In fact, we need to die in the church declaring the "victory that has overcome the world." It is also true that at 84 and in reasonably good health, I am called to share my life with those running alongside me and those a generation or two behind. Donna and I have love, knowledge, and wisdom that others need. Too many of us are victimized by the foolishness of isolation, self-pity, and a thumb sucking second childhood. For us it is a time of living wisely, sharing the victory of faith and the wisdom gained from 60 years of preaching, pastoring, and prophesying in the church, as well as 30 years of lawyering, combined with parenting two adult children and eight grandchildren. Come join us on this journey of memory and anticipation as we learn to live by "Dying Into The Resurrection."

Dying Into the Resurrection-Part 6-Life As A Fleeting Joyful Gift

At age 84 I am staring at the end of life as I have known it. Yet I am seeing, with the eye of faith, beyond my death and burial. I am living into the resurrection of Jesus the LORD. However, living in faith has not delivered me from doubt, from grief, from many losses, and fears. I cannot deny my own dying. It is on top of me every day. The worst of it is contemplating separation from Donna, my wife of 58 years. I think we need to talk to each other about death and about our dying. In fact, we need to die in the church declaring the "victory that has overcome the world." It is also true that at 84 and in reasonably good health, I am called to share my life with those running alongside me and those a generation or two behind. Donna and I have love, knowledge, and wisdom that others need. Too many of us are victimized by the foolishness of isolation, self-pity, and a thumb sucking second childhood. For us it is a time of living wisely, sharing the victory of faith and the wisdom gained from 60 years of preaching, pastoring, and prophesying in the church, as well as 30 years of lawyering, combined with parenting two adult children and eight grandchildren. Come join us on this journey of memory and anticipation as we learn to live by "Dying Into The Resurrection."

Dying Into The Resurrection-Part 5-Life Is A Vanishing Mist

At age 84 I am staring at the end of life as I have known it. Yet I am seeing, with the eye of faith, beyond my death and burial. I am living into the resurrection of Jesus the LORD. However, living in faith has not delivered me from doubt, from grief, from many losses, and fears. I cannot deny my own dying. It is on top of me every day. The worst of it is contemplating separation from Donna, my wife of 58 years. I think we need to talk to each other about death and about our dying. In fact, we need to die in the church declaring the "victory that has overcome the world." It is also true that at 84 and in reasonably good health, I am called to share my life with those running alongside me and those a generation or two behind. Donna and I have love, knowledge, and wisdom that others need. Too many of us are victimized by the foolishness of isolation, self-pity, and a thumb sucking second childhood. For us it is a time of living wisely, sharing the victory of faith and the wisdom gained from 60 years of preaching, pastoring, and prophesying in the church, as well as 30 years of lawyering, combined with parenting two adult children and eight grandchildren. Come join us on this journey of memory and anticipation as we learn to live by "Dying Into The Resurrection."