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Purity, Justice, and the Purpose of God's Wrath

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For the unabridged audio you can listen here:Purity, Justice, and the Purpose of God’s Wrath

When we read Revelation 16, we come face-to-face with an intense and sobering cycle of scripture: the seven bowls of God’s wrath. For modern readers, discussing the wrath of God can feel deeply uncomfortable. We don’t generally get excited about talking about judgment, and it certainly isn’t an easy topic for a casual afternoon discussion.

Yet, wrath and judgment are crucial aspects of how God engages with a broken world. To understand Revelation 16, we must look past our initial discomfort and examine the true purpose behind the imagery.

Finding Victory in the "Already but Not Yet"

Auto-generated description: An open book lies on rocky ground in front of a dramatic landscape, with clouds illuminated by sunlight and the text Beyond Sunday School: A Study of Revelation prominently displayed.

For the unabridged audio you can listen here: Revelation 11 - Finding Victory in the Already but Not Yet

As we turn the page into Revelation 15, we find ourselves entering a brand-new rotation of the storyβ€”what theologians call a recapitulation. Revelation isn’t a straight timeline; it’s a retelling of the same overarching narrative, but each time it loops back, it takes us “further up and further in,” revealing deeper spiritual realities.

What makes this specific transition so fascinating is where we find ourselves. Before the next wave of judgment even begins, John looks ahead and sees a community standing in a place of complete victory.

β€œHave I drifted out of plumb?”

Spiritual drift rarely happens overnight. In golf, a swing that is 2Β° off looks fine for the first 50 yardsβ€”but 200 yards down the fairway, you’re deep in the woods.

Our souls operate the same way. Small compromises drop us into the wilderness before we even realize we’re lost.

In my latest post, we look at Amos 7–9 to explore what it means when life falls out of alignment, how God uses seasons of “sifting and shaking” to refine us, and why His heart always begins and ends with radical grace.

πŸ‘‰ Read it here.

Grace, Alignment, and the Sifting of Our Souls

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For the unabridged audio listen here: Mandate of Mishpat: Grace, Alignment, and the Sifting of Our Souls

A Reflection on Amos 7–9

Nothing says Mother’s Day quite like locusts, fires, and a structural plumb line.

If you are following along in a traditional verse-by-verse study of the Minor Prophets, arriving at Amos 7 through 9 on a holiday meant to celebrate mothers can feel a bit jarring. Up to this point, the book of Amos has been remarkably tough, hard, and relentless. It has forced us to stare directly into a mirror to confront the systemic and personal brokenness of our lives, our churches, and our culture.

But if we look past the initial shock of the judgment imagery, these chapters offer an incredible, macro-perspective glimpse into the heart of God. What we discover is a beautiful narrative arc that doesn’t contradict a Mother’s Day message at allβ€”because it is a message that begins and ends with radical grace.

This morning I will be preaching the worship service of the Midwest Presbytery. I have selected Philippians 3:7-14 as my text. If you are a praying person, I would be grateful for your prayer this morning. I hope to offer grace and mercy to my colleagues.

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The #OldGal with extra special granddaughter time due to graduation this weekend crushed me.

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Looking Out the Right Side of the Bus - A Call to Empathy

Auto-generated description: A green circle with an open book icon is flanked by sound wave illustrations, accompanied by the text The Pastor Next Door - sermon notes.

You can listen to the full unabridged audio here: Mandate of Mishpat - Call to Empathy

In August of 1997, my wife Amy and I flew to Jamaica for our honeymoon. It was one of those perfect, all-inclusive deals where everything is paid for upfront. We spent our days floating in the pool, kayaking in the ocean, and eating incredible food. It was a week of total relaxationβ€”a great way to start a marriage.

An absolutely amazing weekend celebrating Libby’s graduation from Michigan State University. She leaves with life-long friends, amazing memories, and a degree in Public Relations with high honors. We could not be more proud of our Libby girl!

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Yesterday, the #OldGal and I both posted 3s. Sharing them got lost in graduation celebrations.

Today, we both posted 5s.

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@wordle@piefeed.com

Today begins a full weekend of celebrating Libby and her graduation from Michigan State University in Public Relations. We could not be more proud of her!

Libby in a green graduation gown stands in front of blooming trees with a large, ornate building in the background.

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The #OldGal and I managed pars today with a sea of green.

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@wordle@piefeed.com

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The #OldGal missed her birdie putt this morning! Victory!

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The #OldGal is too crafty. A tie today…

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