By R. Kevin Johnson During Advent, we revisited the message of the prophets who told of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of humankind. During the Christmas season, we joined with Christians around the world to celebrate the birth…
Reformation Day
By R. Kevin Johnson Reformation Day is Oct. 31. Considering this day in light of our Nov. 1 remembrance of All Saints, the Reformation takes on special meaning for Protestants as we remember the life and the ministry of Martin…
Midway through the Christian Year
By R. Kevin Johnson Our journey through the Christian Year has come to the mid-point. We have heard the words of the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. We witnessed his birth at Christmas. With the Wise Men,…
Pentecost, the birthday of the church
By R. Kevin Johnson This coming Sunday is Pentecost. Coming 50 days after Easter, Pentecost commemorates the day that Jesus’ promise to the disciples was fulfilled and the Holy Spirit descended like flames of fire. This date on the Christian…
The Ascension of Jesus
By R. Kevin Johnson This week Christians commemorate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Like the event recorded in the scriptures, the celebration takes place 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus spends a few…
Resurrection perspectives
By R. Kevin Johnson Throughout the coming weeks, Christians around the world will continue to celebrate an exciting Easter season and the reality of the risen Christ. The scriptures used for worship and devotion during this time include Jesus’ physical…
Holy Week hope
By R. Kevin Johnson During the past few weeks, Christian churches around the world have been engaging the scriptures during Lent. This season will lead to the commemoration of Jesus’ death and burial, and to the celebration of his divine…
Lent a season of both sacrifice and joy
By R. Kevin Johnson On Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world seek out churches in order to have the ash from burned palm fronds (generally those used in the church on the previous Palm Sunday) pressed onto their foreheads in…
Ordinary and extraordinary
By R. Kevin Johnson This series so far has addressed the first three seasons of the structure of devotion known as the Christian or liturgical year. It follows the life of Jesus beginning with the words of the prophets during…
Epiphany, the Lord revealed
By R. Kevin Johnson On the heels of a joyous Christmastide, Christians celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is a great day of excitement for Christians in the church because on Jan. 6, the 12 days of Christmas conclude…
Looking forward from Christmastide
By R. Kevin Johnson At last, it is here! A month of waiting has passed. We have heard prophetic voices tell of the coming of the Messiah. We have pondered his second coming. We have examined ourselves and considered our…
More than a spiritual eraser comes at Advent
By R. Kevin Johnson My friend Ray is a pastor who tells a story about an encounter he had with a visitor to his church office. The man started with, “Pastor, I need your help. I think I’ve made a…