Putin Augustus

A peculiar resemblance has been noted. Russian President Putin looks a lot like Caesar Augustus who ruled the Roman Empire for over 40 years around the time of Jesus' birth. A coincidence?

Merry Christmas!

I pray that this Christmas season is a time of renewed hope for you and those who are close to you. As we reflect together on the mystery and wonder of the Incarnation, I am once again impressed with God’s wisdom and creativity. Faced with the problem of humanity separated from their Creator, God solved it in a divinely wonderful, surprising manner: He became human Himself. In the person of Jesus, God and humanity are finally united. Jesus is the God-man. In Him weary travelers return home. In Him eternity and time come together. In Jesus brokenness is healed and suffering is filled with joy. In Him love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other (Psalm 85:10). Does it not fill your heart with hope? What an amazing expression of Divine love! What an assurance of His commitment to us! God became vulnerable, limited, human because He loves us. Jesus experienced pain and pleasure, rejection and joy of the human existence. He became one of us, in every way like us, except for sin, so we can become like Him. As Kallistos Ware points out, Jesus shows us not only what a loving and creative person God is, but what we can become. He shows us what authentic humanity without sin looks like. By His perfect life and sacrificial death He liberates and spurs us on to become what God has made us to be: people reflecting God’s creativity and grace, full of wonder and hope.
Let’s welcome Jesus into our lives and marvel together at the good news of the One who was “pleased as man with man to dwell – Jesus, our Emmanuel”. Merry Christmas!

Advent Rocks!

I love Advent. It is a season of hope and anticipation. Advent is extending the minute before a child falls asleep on Christmas Eve to four weeks. What a great way to prepare for a Christmas celebration! Our church had our first Advent Sunday service yesterday and it was really cool. Responsive readings, Christmas carols, a special advent prayer, children collecting the offering, the Eucharist... a very meaningful time. After the service we had lunch together and our home group stayed to make cookies.

Following Jesus, Part 8: Poverty of Discipleship

The story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18 is a typical example of Jesus' attitude towards wealth: He doesn't like it. While we are right to point out that it is not money per se that prevents people from following the Teacher, the money seems to make it very difficult. Tim Keller says that money itself is not an idol distracting us from worshipping God but money always points to whatever our idol is. So, what is it that we so easily spend our money on? Entertainment, clothes, education, family, home... Perhaps our idols are self-pleasure, approval of others, respect of others, security...
Well, how can this idolatrous heart be turned to Jesus? He says, it is impossible. Our particular idol cannot be removed but only replaced. So, our only hope is that Jesus forces our idol out of our heart and draws our worship to Himself. He does that by showing us that we are his true wealth, His treasure He died to keep. We marvel at how much Jesus values us and start valuing and worshiping Him. He became poor for us, so that we can become rich in Him. He is our true wealth.