How does “Spiritual Influence” work? Take the Survey. The word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. – John 1:14 Not only did the Son of God become a baby, but also he became flesh. Divinity joined to corporeal muscle, blood and bones. In this humbling of the eternal Son of God, the Word […]
This is post #20 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.”Read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz. They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. – Matthew 2:9-10 In
After Christmas, new articles in The Brook Letter by Mel Lawrenz: sign up. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and
Learn how “spiritual influence” works. See the survey. And he will be called…Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6 In ancient times, princes, whether they desired it or not, often became warriors. Rulers of nations may talk about peace, but nothing is more elusive than peace. And so, when Isaiah talked about a child who would be
This is post #17 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Want to read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz? And he will be called…Everlasting Father. –Isaiah 9:6 What a remarkable string of names in Isaiah 9:6! Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Now, these were radical statements indeed, and they described the one
Everlasting Father Read More »
This is post #16 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Want to read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz? And he will be called…Mighty God. – Isaiah 9:6 In the Old Testament, some of the prophecies about Christ are mysterious statements. They were so bold and so large that they were treasured through the generations, until
And I asked “why, why, why, oh God? Why did it have to be only my sister who was killed on the patrol that day?” -20-year-old female American soldier speaking at her twin sister’s funeral. It is the mystery that always seems to move further from our reach the more we reach out for an
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Helping people at a time of crisis is founded on the ministry of presence—of being there, in full awareness, responsiveness, and empathy. For any leader who is an activist at heart, the ministry of presence can seem like too little. Almost an insult. How can just “being there” be meaningful and effective? What does it accomplish? An emergency room physician can revive someone whose heart has stopped beating, a fireman can extinguish deathly flames, a policeman can put a criminal behind bars. These kinds of assistance in the face of crisis seem valuable to us. Leaders like to fix things.
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See “A Call for Wisdom in Washington.” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders…and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
As I sit in an airport watching on television the unfolding horrific story of the shooting at the school in Connecticut, I overheard an airport worker say to someone else: all those children, all those families–and now, at Christmas time. Immediately what came to my mind was one of the most troubling Scripture verses associated
So Wrong: Words on Today’s Tragedy Read More »
This is post #14 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Past days HERE. Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church and directs The Brook Network. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
This is post #13 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” After Christmas, new articles in The Brook Letter by Mel Lawrenz: sign up. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. -Luke 2:46-47 One of the worst things that can happen to a person is to live with a shrunken
Learn how “spiritual influence” works. See the survey. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” –Matt. 1:22-23 My wife and I have only seriously lost
This is post #11 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Past days HERE. “Christmas Joy” as eBook HERE. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. –Luke 2:4 Bethlehem was like any other
Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large at Elmbrook Church and directs The Brook Network. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:11 Some people think that “Christ” is Jesus’ last name. Jesus Christ, like Joe Johnson or Audrey Smith. If you have thought