what does the bible say – Jesus @ 2 am blogs and podcast

Why Christmas Matters – Christmas 2014

April 15, 2015April 11, 2015Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

Do Christians really believe that Jesus was fully divine? And fully human? Simultaneously? It’s no easy pill to swallow, virgin births and all that… And why does it matter?

In this episode, my friend and mentor, Mark Roberts, takes on these questions and many others as he explores Christian doctrine of the incarnation. It is a fun, funny and deeply insightful look at the celebration of Christmas and why we all have reason to rejoice!

(In the intro I mentioned the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. Definitely worth checking out!)

This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), December 28, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!

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Advent 2014, Part 4: The Gift of Peace and Rest

April 13, 2015April 11, 2015Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

Every December the decorations return – banners with doves, cards declaring “Peace on Earth”… And yet every year the headlines never change: hardship, loss, injustice…

How do we come to terms with the contradiction? Is the biblical promise that God’s shalom (peace, rest, wholeness) is taking over creation to be believed? Or is it (as it often feels) little more than a comforting ideal – a goal perhaps, but not one we ever expect to become real?

In this episode we examine the personal search for peace and rest, and how we take that gift of shalom and offer it to others.

This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), December 21, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!

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Advent 2014, Part 3: Sharing Joy

April 11, 2015April 11, 2015Kirk WinslowLeave a comment

My goddaughter teaching me what joy looks like.

This episode is particularly personal to me.

“Joy” is not a primary Winslow trait. Hard work, honesty, responsibility, service to others…these are virtues I know well. And to the degree that the Bible calls Christians to “rejoice,” I did my best to be optimistic for Jesus (whatever that means). Often what it really meant was biting my tongue less and less effectively as other Christians exhorted people in suffering to trust that “God has a plan” (as though this insight renders grief and pain irrelevant).

Yet joy is a genuine part of the Christian life. One I have slowly – and somewhat recently – come to know. Far from naive positivity or annoying, face-slap-inspiring, religious peppy-ness, joy is the inner state of one who has come to experience (albeit imperfectly) the reality of salvation (having your arse delivered in such a way you know it shall be saved again, once and for all).

Michelle on our way home from MD Anderson

It is a truth the New Testament is at pains to express and one that can radically transform hearts.

In the end, joy is the product of God’s gift of salvation and thus a true treasure that only the community of salvation can give away.

This is a sermon that was originally presented at Canvas (a Presbyterian church in Irvine, CA), December 14, 2014. To learn more about Canvas, click here!

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