God’s love

Jesus: Not Your Average Substitute

/ Lon Hetrick / 1 Comment

[Hello Readers, I had something in my head and heart that I wanted to share with you today, but I just haven’t been able to get it into the right words. So, I hope you’ll find this updated post, originally published in October 2010, enriching for your spiritual life today. God bless, Lon]

The gospel tells us the good news of what Jesus did to redeem His followers and to restore them to fellowship with His Father. Today I wanted to remind myself, and you, of the means–the how–of that good news. He accomplished our redemption by taking our place, by replacing us.

Caravaggio's "Crowning with Thorns", 1607

[Caravaggio’s “Crowning with Thorns”, 1607]

He volunteered to sub for us.

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Finding Hope After A Bad Year

/ Lon Hetrick / 8 Comments

Will 2013 be a good year?

Last year wasn’t so hot, was it? According to USA Today, the average American will remember 2012 for Sandy Hook Elementary School, Superstorm Sandy, and Jerry Sandusky, just three of their top 10 news stories of 2012.

Finding hope amidst bad newsMost of the top 10 (or all, depending on your perspective) were bad news, and 2012 left us shaking our collective heads. And who didn’t gasp aloud when they first heard about Sandy Hook? Indeed, whether individually, collectively, or vicariously, 2012 brought each of us some measure of sadness or suffering.

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What Jesus and His Apostles Taught About Giving (And How You Can Find Joy in It)

/ Lon Hetrick / 19 Comments

This post is part 3 of a 3-part series on tithing and giving:

  1. Why the Apostles Didn’t Teach Tithing (And Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About It)
  2. Why Your Church Does Teach Tithing (Any Why You Sometimes Feel Guilty About It)
  3. What Jesus & His Apostles Taught About Giving (And How You Can Find Joy in It)

If you’re average like me you’re starting to think about some new goals and maybe some outrageous hopes for the year. Perhaps you’re thinking about new financial goals for earning, saving, spending and giving. If so, this final post in my series on tithing might come in handy.

Review

Part 1 – Why the Apostles Didn’t Teach Tithing (And Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About It) asks why the Apostles never mentioned tithing even though they touched on every other subject necessary for the life of the Church including money matters like stewardship, charity, and supporting the teaching ministry of the gospel.

Part 2 – Why Your Church Does Teach Tithing (And Why You Sometimes Feel Guilty About It) asks why so many churches treat tithing like it’s the 11th commandment, or even emphasize it more than the 10 Commandments.

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