20131221 오늘의양식요약 Rembrandt’s painting The Adoration of the Shepherds portrays the darkened stable in Bethlehem where two shepherds kneel beside the manger while other people stand farther away. Each person may see a different story in Rembrandt’s painting, but perhaps each of us is represented somewhere in that stable. Are we kneeling in worship, standing…
20131220 오늘의양식요약 In the medieval world, farmers would care for their crops until an enemy appeared on the horizon. Then they would flee with their families to their fortified city for protection from the marauders. We all face threats at times that make us want to run for cover. Some seek security in material wealth…
20131219 오늘의양식요약 Handel’s Messiah soars with adoration for the Son who came to us in human flesh that first Christmas. In Luke 1, the angelic messenger appeared to Mary and identified the Christ-child in four ways. He would be the son of Mary, making Him fully human. He would be the Son of the Highest,…
20131218 오늘의양식요약 We know that “all empty” feeling. It is an emptiness that friendship, love, sex, money, power, popularity, or success can never assuage-a longing for something indefinable, something incalculably precious but lost. We were made for God, and in the end, nothing less will satisfy us. Without Him, we are all empty. He alone…
피곤한 자에게는 능력을 주시며 무능한 자에게는 힘을 더하시나니, 소년이라도 피곤하며 곤비하며 장정이라도 넘어지며 자빠지되 오직 여호와를 앙망하는 자는 새 힘을 얻으리니 독수리의 날개치며 올라감 같을 것이요 달음박질하여도 곤비치 아니하겠고 걸어가도 피곤치 아니하리로다. (이사야 40:29-31) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and…
20131217 오늘의양식요약 God calls each of us to different paths of service, and some paths are bumpy. Many believers have had their hearts captured by Christ and think that abandoning “essential” comforts and conveniences is a small thing to do to honor Him who loves us. They need our support. When we encourage our friends…
20131216 오늘의양식요약 When we look at the earthly life of Jesus, it may seem backward from what we would expect. But Jesus lived on earth according to God’s will. Don’t worry if living your life sometimes means operating in reverse. God will give you the strength to honor Him, and He will propel you forward….
20131214 오늘의양식요약 When Matteo Ricci went to China in the 16th century, he took samples of religious art to illustrate the Christian story for people who had never heard it. They readily accepted portraits of Mary holding the baby Jesus, but when he produced paintings of the crucifixion and tried to explain that the God-child…
20131213 오늘의양식요약 Athletes subject their bodies to great discipline as they train to win perishable medals for their effort. But it is not just that the medals are perishable. Over time, people’s memory of those achievements dim and fade. If athletes can sacrifice so much to achieve rewards on the earth, rewards that will eventually…
20131212 오늘의양식요약 A costume is something you put on and pretend that you are what you are wearing. A uniform, on the other hand, reminds you that you are, in fact, what you wear. The apostle Paul told the followers of Jesus “Cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light”,…