Researchers were so shocked by the results of a recent survey on the spirituality of Generation Z they delayed releasing the results until they could analyze it more.
Source: The Surprising Reasons Members of Generation Z Become Christians | Facts & Trends
Several states want to add a visual display of trust in God to public schools, while KY wants to set aside a day for students to demonstrate their trust with prayer.
Source: Bible Belt States Back Prayer, Religious Displays in Schools | Facts & Trends
As part of an increased government crackdown on Christianity, Chinese police destroyed several church buildings earlier this year.
Source: 50,000 Chinese Christians Lost Their Church Building | Facts & Trends
Source: Breaking Free
This morning in our study of the Word of God I want us to walk where Jesus walked through a narrative passage that records for us that Palm Sunday many years ago when He entered Jerusalem. John’s Go…
Source: The Necessary Death of the King
The debate that church pastors have this time of the year is this – Do we focus on Palm Sunday and the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, or do we focus on the Passion of Jesus? This is an important debate – and one that doesn’t have a clear and easy right answer. There are good answers for going either way.
The case for the focus on the full Passion (the trial, suffering, and crucifixion of Jesus) is that many people won’t attend worship services throughout Holy Week, so it is better to focus on the full passion, rather than only give part of the story and have people confused when they show up for Easter. There are more subtle arguments, but this is the essence of this argument.
The case for the focus to only be on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is that it’s up to each…
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Originally posted on liminalpilgrim:
The beginning of Holy Week, the scene in which Jesus makes a “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem, is a scene that is ultimately political. Jesus demands his followers make a choice between two kings and kingdoms. Since chapter eight, when Peter and…
You are on your way to Jerusalem, precious Lord —
on your way to suffering and to death
for the sake of our freedom and our salvation.
We are those who have signed up to follow you,
so, today, we shout, “Hosanna!”.
We hail you as King and Lord and Prince of peace.
But you alone know what the road ahead will require of us:
You know the powers that will seek to silence
your Word of Truth from our lips.
You know the fears that will lead us far from
the peace that you give.
You know the weariness that will overcome
our courage and our hope.
Yet, knowing all that, you love us still.
You weep over us when we are blind to your presence.
You lament that we are so stubborn in
resisting your way to peace.
As we enter into this holy week,
let your tears…
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A prayer for Palm Sunday based on John 19: 16 -22
Lord Jesus Christ,
on this day, your disciples crowned you King
and we have joined their praise.
Yet, you are a King like no other.
You are on your way to suffering and to death
leading us into freedom and salvation and peace.
You offer your very self to heal our brokenness.
You take our violence and fears and hatreds
into your own life
and give back only love.
We pause now before this awesome mystery
watching as your power moves
beyond our weakness
beyond our failures
beyond our sins
Move us deeper into this holy story
and bring us into the wide open spaces of your grace
for yours is the kingdom,
yours is the power,
yours is the glory,
now and forever. Amen
Originally posted on Sheshbazzar Now:
Palm Sunday sermon We are only 18 years into the 21st century but it is worth thinking how the people of the future will view it. Will it be for a time of turmoil perhaps? The beginning of this century…
Praying for the millennials 