Clever Free Methodist

We have reached the pinnacle of the Christian faith: Holy Week . For some, it is referred to as “The Triduum” which begins after Palm Sunday and includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Resurrection. Why is this so special….or, maybe be bold enough to ask, “why should I care?” Well, Holy Week is the most solemn and glorious week in Christianity, the pinnacle of the liturgical year. This is because Holy Week commemorates the final week of Our Lord's life and the establishment of the New Covenant. Here is why we should care : HOLY THURSDAY: Jesus sets the example. He washes the Disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15) and gathers them in the Upper Room. Here Jesus is literally celebrating the Jewish Passover with them….but then, stops at the institution of the Third Cup (Cup of Blessing) …as told in Mark 14:22-26, Jesus introduces the NEW covenant by telling his Disciples to both “eat” and “drink” his body and blood given and shed for them (and for us). I am sure, knowing ...

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that hostility towards Christians and the Christian faith is on the rise. I'm not talking about people who just "get mad," but those who openly express their deep anger towards Christianity, God, the Bible and the Church. To them, everything associated with Christianity must be silenced, removed, marginalized and mocked. Anger that spews forth venomous wrath, vile language and actions of blind furry towards all that is sacred. They seem to be on an energetic crusade to have anything and everything that is "Christian" stripped away and wiped clean from our society. WHY? I wonder why they are so adamant about stopping Christianity because it sure doesn't seem that they are overly concerned about stopping the message of other faiths. I think I might know why! Could it be that we, as Christians, are setting a poor example to others about God? Are we REALLY portraying God the right way? According to Nehemiah 9...

The forty days of  Lent  is a time for us to remember and reflect upon the word “sacrifice” and how that definition applies to our spiritual lives. It is a “surrendering” of sorts as we make our life “less about us” and “more about others.” It is also a time that we learn how to give up something that is a sacrifice, an act of self-denial, or some act that will remind us of Christ. Lent is sacred and spiritual for every Christian. It isn’t a “Catholic thing” or a “Protestant thing,” or even “just during Lent, thing,” but a way of life for every Christian. Yes, more emphasis is placed on “sacrifice” during Lent, because there needs to be a season that reminds us of the great sacrifice of Christ for each one of us. Centuries ago Jesus Christ went through an agony, a scourging, a crowning and a crucifixion. The tragedy of Good Friday led to the triumph of Easter Sunday. The acts of self-denial, the acts of sacrifice we make during this season helps us identify with th...

Does it bother you and make you feel uncomfortable to be around someone who is known for being verbally aggressive, offensively opinionated, and outwardly negative and critical on "hot topic" subjects such as race, sexual orientation, and the government? When they express their opinions, they are not only blunt and animated, but their language and demeanor is a bit course and rough around the edges. Does it also bother you to know that people, like this, are also claiming to be a Christian? I've come into contact with several throughout my life and it definitely leaves me wondering, if not disappointed. As Christians, the Bible is clear that we are not to behave in this way. A critical spirit and quick tempered personality that is harsh and toxic is not an attribute we should display. Christians are different. We are “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16) and we are to be advocates for gentleness and respect (2 Timothy 3:15). We are God’s children and should live ...

In 1 Peter 5:8, the haunting Scripture passage reads, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Were you aware that the Greek word (verb) for “devour” means to “drink down,” “gulp entire” or “swallow”….in other words, we are talking “total consumption” or “complete annihilation” of a person’s life. The reality is that Satan cannot stand the work of an active Christian. Satan is willing to do anything and everything, at any cost, to destroy the work of God in this world. Part of that plan is to destroy you physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of the ways he strategically tries to dismantle us is to keep us busy and too preoccupied with our own agendas, calendars, families, dreams and ambitions.  It is hard to comprehend just how many baptized Christians have succumbed to this ploy of Satan and have become totally caught up in the mad, mindless pursuit of the so-called American dream, the ...

Mark 1:35 is used often to support personal prayer time that is intentional, void of distractions, and interruptions. It tells of Jesus spending “alone time” with God. It says, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.” We need our own prayer time. We need our “alone time” where it is just “me and God” and nothing else. I am more convinced, than ever before, that there’s no way any of us can reach our full spiritual potential as Christian men and women without developing an intentional, strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. True love demands union. True union with God comes only through the life of prayer. I honestly believe God is not going to fully satisfy your spiritual needs, and you are not going to be entirely pleasing to Him, unless you make the time and the effort to have a strong, deep life of daily personal prayer. Your relationship with God depends entirely on how much and how well you are ...

Romans 5:8 “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It is truly amazing to know that God didn’t first put us on a 30-day trial period to see if we could “handle being a Christian” before he would save us. In fact, he sent his Son, Jesus, to us with the risk knowing there was a good chance that he would be rejected and not one, single person would accept his offer of salvation. It was quite a sacrifice. It is what we focus on during the season of LENT . LENT comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.” What happens in Spring? Well, for one, we “Minnesotans” are at least hoping the Winter snow melts away. But, most importantly, the earth comes back to life! Grass becomes green, trees bud and the leaves return, and flowers grow and bloom. That is what Lent is about…about making sure we are spiritually and mentally prepared (ready) for the “coming back to life” of Jesus after he died on the cross! It is making sure we have made a conscious decision to acknowled...