While we might enjoy the Christmas season, we also know that there are other seasons of worship that we must be ready to embrace. John the Baptist exemplified this willingness to move on by embracing the popularity of Jesus (John 3:30). Can you move on to new seasons of living and worship?
Churchtoons, cartoons from Church
Showing posts with label christian living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian living. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Look at me?
Christians often refer to themselves as "witnesses" of Christ. Like John the Baptist (John 1), we are not meant to call attention to ourselves, or assert our rights and privilege. We are called to "bear witness," or tell about the great things Jesus has done for us. In what ways are you bearing witness of what Jesus has done?
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Heaven Must Sing
Although hidden to the kings and rulers, the birth of Christ could not be silent. A host of angels called out to the lower class shepherds to bear witness of this most significant event (Luke 2). In what ways do you find it impossible to keep quiet? Is it when you feel slighted or when you are filled with God's love and marvel at how wonderful He is?
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No Room for Jesus
Joseph and Mary were unable to find adequate lodging after they were forced to travel (Lk 2). This "No Room" story is often used to illustrate how Christians should respond differently by making room for Christ in their lives. This story might also remind us to make room for strangers and those in need. Another teaching is that this event foreshadowed Christ never having a home and always being a stranger in this world.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Luke starts with a problem
Luke's gospel begins with a personal crisis of infertility. Like Sarah, Hannah and so many other women in the Bible, Elizabeth found herself greatly distressed because she was not able to conceive (Luke 1). Elizabeth's faith was rewarded with a special baby who would become John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. While we may not understand Elizabeth's distress, we can marvel that God came to her rescue.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
What's in your line?
Matthew's (Matt 1) genealogy of Christ not only reminds that His earthly life was rooted in a community. As the adopted son of Joseph, Jesus could trace his lineage back to nobility like David and Abraham. However, many of the names seem to be unknown or of little consequence to the larger stories of their people. When you feel that your story is unimportant, can you reflect on these names to find your meaning in God's plan?
Saturday, December 18, 2021
God gives hope
During their Persian exile, the Israelites seemed to have lost hope that they would ever return to their own land and their old way of life. Their way of worship and all that they understood seemed to change overnight. During this time God sent Ezekiel with words of hope letting the people know that they might not live to see it, but God would return Israel to their land and to their faith practices (Ez 37).
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel's famous vision of the valley of dry bones (Ez 37) reminds us that God can resurrect bodies, nations, and a person's hope. The vision was given during a time when Israel was unable to participate in the rituals that defined them, but God gave them hope that their identity as God's chosen would be resurrected. What hopes or dreams have you given up? Can you trust God to resurrect them?
Friday, December 10, 2021
Flaming together
Human nature seeks to hurt those we think are hurting us. Often this revenge-seeking leads to a dangerous cycle that only causes us more pain. As Christians, we are to love those who seek to harm us (Matt 5:43-48). While Christians should seek refuge from abuse, we are called to abstain from using the same tactics against our aggressors. How do you respond when you feel 'attacked' on social media? Do 'flame back?'
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Settle in
Like the children of Israel during their captivity, many of us find ourselves living in a place/time that seems to undermine our identities (Jer. 29). During this time false prophets declared that the captivity wasn't real and that they would soon return to their old way of life. God used Jeremiah to help the people settle into their homes by telling them to plant gardens and seek the good of their new cities.
Thursday, December 2, 2021
A great place to grow
Isaiah 9, one of the great Advent verses, speaks to our joy at leaving the darkness of sin and ignorance. As we consider the great Light that came into our world (John 1), we might do well to remember the areas of growth we experience while waiting. How has God prepared you for the Light by allowing you to experience a time of darkness?
Monday, November 29, 2021
Stomp-on!
Like many of the Old Testament prophets, Amos recognized that the people who have resources tend to make rules that keep those lacking resources from ever getting them (Amos 8). God judged Israel harshly not just for their mistreatment of the poor, but also for the way they violated the laws God gave them to give the poor help and benefit. Can you think of rules that we use today to keep the poor from gaining wealth?
Saturday, November 27, 2021
Amos and the truth of sin at home
The prophet Amos was a shepherd and didn't seem to possess any political or religious power. However, God used this man to show Israel that they were guilty of the very same sins as the nations that Israel often considered "heathen" or inferior (Amos 1-2). How often do we consider those who disagree with us as inferior, when we are in actually just as guilty as they are?
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Like many countries, the United States of America sets aside a day to reflect on and give thanks for the many good gifts (like good crops, etc) God gives to us. While we are enjoying our benefits, we should also remember and give to those who have less than we do (1 John 3).
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Monday, November 22, 2021
Leaving your cave
God called Elijah out of his cave of despair so that he could receive a final mission (1 Kings 19). God seems to have consoled Elijah by reminding him that God is still all-powerful and that He still had work for Elijah. Are you able to find consolation in God's mission for your life?
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Super Awesome Mega Pastor...Rides Again!
We are naturally drawn to exciting and powerful speakers who, like Elijah (1 Kings 19), seem to do the impossible. Jesus warned of those who try to worship God by teaching man's commandments instead of understanding the heart of God (Matt 15:9). We would do well to seek God first and test what we hear against what we know to be true of God.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Hiding Out
After his greatest victory, Elijah feared for his life and went into hiding (1 Kings 19). In his cave of despair, Elijah rehearsed all of the evil his country was facing and began to see an exaggerated version of the problem, where he was the only one left who loved God and that God had abandoned him. Do you have exaggerated versions of your problems? Are you feeling abandoned by God? Can you tell God how you feel?
Monday, November 15, 2021
Following the popular politicians
Elijah became an "enemy of the state" when he began the process of reinstating his country's original Theocracy (1 Kings 19). The queen's state religion derived its power from a political state and a charismatic leader, Elijah showed that the one true God is not bound by state politics or human popularity. Are you able to trust God over leaders, political parties, or even your favorite political issue?
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Political power of having a king
Samuel warned the Israelites that a king would take their children for his labor force, but Israel persisted that they wanted the political status that having a king would provide. Samuel’s prediction came true, and soon Israel regretted their request. Desire for political power can be very real danger for God’s people.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
All the cool churches have one
Israel resisted God's leadership and demanded a king so that they could be like the other nations around them (1 Sam 8). God warned Israel that a king would prove costly and that it was a decision they would regret. As Christians we should ask if we are seeking popularity through enterprising techniques, or are we acting out the gospel so that others can see Jesus in us?
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Welcome
Each of the cartoons on this site is an expression of a sermon I heard in church. As a cartoonist, my method of understanding complex theological topics is to boil them down to simple images.
These images will never do justice to the sermons from which they are derived, but hopefully, they convey at least one aspect of those sermons to you, the reader.
I hope that you gain some benefit from the cartoons and will reuse them in ways that honor Christ.