Phil Steiger
One of the more unfortunate things that happened at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic was how our economy and culture got divided into “essential” and “non-essential” categories. It led to all kinds of awful classifications and even political chicanery as politicians keep many things closed or near-closed because they are “non-essential”. First of all,... Continue Reading →
One of the purposes of a broken world is to remind us that we were made for a different world. And not just different, but one ruled over by the King of Kings in eternal justice, righteousness and peace. As we live in this world and work for the kingdom of God while we are... Continue Reading →
When our church went through our series on Renewal, one of the principles we spent time on was: Our reaction to crisis will determine whether we find Renewal. Often, genuine spiritual renewal is the result of some kind of crisis. Sometimes is it large-scale cultural upheaval, sometimes it is a radical change of regional circumstances,... Continue Reading →
Amidst the relief packages flying around, both passed and proposed, there is the hope that infusions of cash from the government to individuals and businesses will help keep the economy afloat during the Coronavirus pandemic. This post is not designed to debate the relative virtues of one-time shots-in-the-arm for individuals or businesses, bailouts for states,... Continue Reading →
I know I probably don’t need to remind you of these details, but the prophet Zephaniah speaks the word of God to God’s people in Judah just before Babylon shows up, destroys the Temple, and exiles the nation into slavery. This period of time is well documented in Scripture, not only in the historical books... Continue Reading →
I started preaching through Ephesians a few weeks before the Coronavirus pandemic. In study, I was struck by the Ephesians 4 model of church leadership and spiritual gifting in a new way. Before the phrase “social distancing” entered our lexicon, I held my annual reviews with staff and began to lay the groundwork for how... Continue Reading →
In the throes of the Cornonavirus shutdowns, some harsh economic and psychological realities are coming clear to some. For others, it is an opportunity for a new normal, forced on citizens by a group of self-proclaimed enlightened political progressives. Giant bail-outs, government enforced rising unemployment, and ticketing citizens for going to church, are, for some,... Continue Reading →
One day in the Passion Week is especially poignant for us right now. Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and before the morning of the resurrection, there is a day of darkness and isolation for the disciples. It says in John 20:19 that the disciples were behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews”. After... Continue Reading →
During the COVID-19 pandemic I have been brought back to some of David’s Psalms, specifically his laments. During our church’s mid-week Bible study, we have been going through David’s life, sometimes with a fine-toothed comb, and I have been left a little overwhelmed with the completely human, yet shockingly faithful character of the human king... Continue Reading →
