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January 2, 2025 – 8 Days After My Head Exploded – Where’s the Tylenol?

“Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he was about to erect the tent, was warned, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.” Hebrews 8:1-7

Well, when Cranky Reverend’s head exploded on Christmas Day this was all that was left. CR says this is all that is remaining because Christmas makes CR lose his mind — and look, there it is. What else says Merry Christmas than a brain with a Santa hat on it?

This is the simplicity of the gospel summed up in this chapter of Hebrews: The old covenant (G-d’s promise to bless his people if they followed his commands) was flawed – it didn’t work because people were so sinful. They would make sacrifices and confess their sins, but then they would almost immediately turn away from G-d. Putting it in a manner even CR can understand, the sinfulness of the people made G-d’s head explode. Therefore, G-d sent his Son Jesus to make the perfect sacrifice. He lived a perfect life, gave his life for us as a sacrifice, and now sits at the right hand of God as the great High Priest.

When we remember this simple gospel, it should give us joy and peace. We shouldn’t beat ourselves up for every mistake we make, and look, CR is the chief of mistake making. It is hard to always live with thankful attitudes and hearts toward G-d. When we realize what Jesus did for us all it should lead us to lives of obedience to Christ’s commands. In short, the gospel helps us to be the people we want to be. How does the simple truth of the gospel affect you? Spend time thanking Christ for what he did for us because, what he did for us deserves our worship, and our focus every day. And when you are close to having your head explode over how crazy this life is, it may just bring you some peace.

Pastor Dave

January 1, 2025 — 7 Days After My Head Exploded – Where’s the Tylenol?

“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Have you watched the Santa movie with Tim Allen? He plays a toy manufacturer who becomes Santa through a series of unfortunate events to “another” Santa (which if you ask this Cranky Reverend is just wrong). At one point the company this “new” Santa works for during the day is pitching an idea of selling a toy where Santa rides into town, not on a sleigh, but on a Tank – called “Total Tank”. Here is an ornament depicting something similar – Santa’s new ride (same idea, different developer). “Look out kids, I hope you have been good because Santa just took out the Johnson house.”  This Cranky Reverend is not so sure this fits with the image of Santa, so it isn’t always good to get rid of the old, and put on the new….but of course this guy is Cranky Reverend’s competition….

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self ….and to put on the new self…” Ephesians 4

Taking off the old and putting on the new…it is the process we go through as we continue to learn what it means to live the Christ-like life and follow the teachings of Jesus. We will, from time to time feel the pull of our “old life” as we attempt to put on the “new life” of Jesus Christ. The above text reminds us that we are to be constantly aware of the pull of the old, as we focus on the new.

To “take off” means to remove, but it also means to release, to “blast off”. The author of this letter uses the simplest of terms to illustrate what we are called to do in the Christ-life – we must remove those actions and desires that have taken us down one path, perhaps a path that has caused us trouble — rejecting them, divesting ourselves of them — just as you would take off your dirty clothes. And yet we are called to “take off” on a new course of action, to “blast off” on a new direction in life. In other words, as we “take off” the old, we “take off” on the new direction following the teachings of Jesus, supported by the Holy Spirit.

Now, does Cranky Reverend want to see Santa blasting away on a tank? It certainly is not an image builder for Santa. But for Christians it can take us on adventures we just cannot imagine.

Pastor Dave