January 2016 – Page 2 – Like An Anchor

Consider the Apostle

9 January, 20168 January, 2016Marissa

Near the beginning of the epistle to the Hebrews, we find a specific instruction to do something that I doubt we do often enough.

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (Heb. 3:1-2)

The “therefore” at the beginning of this verse connects it with everything that came earlier in the letter — God appointing His Son heir of all things who was sent into the world and now sits at His Father’s right hand (Heb. 1:1-3), the importance of holding on to His word (Heb. 2:1-2), Jesus’ suffering to become the “captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2:10) and our faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:17-18). It’s because of all He is and what He has done that we must “consider” Him. Read more →

Dark Side or Light?

4 January, 201612 January, 2018Marissa

The dark side is quick, easy and powerful. The light side requires commitment, bravery and peace. They are always at odds, always battling in the galaxy as a whole, between groups of people, and even within individual hearts and minds.

Star Wars has always been about the classic battle between good and evil. This same battle rages in our world as well, which is one of the reasons this franchise is so popular. We can all relate to the humanity and struggles of the people in this “galaxy far, far away.” It’s a sort of myth or fairy tale for the modern age. And, like many iconic stories, it can prompt discussions about a variety of topics important today, including faith and religion.

In Star Wars, the Dark Side is the “quick and easy” path, just as in the Bible the path toward destruction is wide and easy to find. Darkness has a strong, seductive pull which actually mirrors an analogy in Proverbs where evil is compared to a crafty harlot while wisdom is a gentle, godly woman. Like the Bible, Star Wars teaches the Dark Side isn’t better – the good characters resist it and win, the bad characters find that it ruins their lives and the lives of those around them. Read more →

Where Do We Go From Here?

2 January, 201617 January, 2016Marissa

We just wrapped up a series of posts on foundational doctrines of Christianity (click here to start from the beginning). In Hebrews 6, the writer lists “repentance from dead works,” “faith toward God,” “the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” as elementary principles of the doctrines of Christ.

The writer of Hebrews led-in to this list by telling his readers it was time to move forward, so it seems fitting that we now ask ourselves, “Where do we go from here?” First, though, let’s take a look at the warning that comes right after the list of doctrines. Read more →