Anselm's Explanation of the Trinity
How can the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each be God, but not be each other? This is Archbishop Anselm's explanation - the best I've heard so far.
Anselm at Starbucks
A new look at Anselm's argument for the existence of God.
The Divine Inferno
Why the existance of Hell is a demonstration of God's mercy.
1000 Easter Balloons
What if, on Easter Sunday morning, after services, every church in town released yellow balloons?
Scary Meditation
What is the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation?
The Golfer of the Gaps
Have you heard that our God is a "God of the Gaps," only invoked to explain increasingly small gaps in science? Here's that logic applied to golf.
Esther's Japanese Origins
Using the approved "wild extrapolation" method, I've conclusively shown that the Biblical Book of Esther is of Japanese origin.
But I Was Born That Way
When people use this excuse, why do we keep trying to talk them out of it?
Digital Reality
Is reality digital? I couldn't care less, but if it is, maybe that's one point for the theistic view.
Church Economics
It's kind of fun to see companies becoming successful using the kind of financing churches have used for ages.
Legislating Morality
You can't legislate morality! Really? If you can't legislate morality, what can you legislate?
Paganism in Christmas and Easter?
A writer thought I ought to stop celebrating Christmas and Easter. It had pagan origins, he said. So what, I replied.
Shooting the Wounded
In which I launch a diatribe against a phrase I find particularly shallow and offensive.
Evolving Computers
What computers do - or don't - show us about evolution.
Are All Religions the Same?
A Buddhist's view.
Easter Balloon: Idea, Planning, Mini Service, Experiences
Following is a "mini service" for releasing Easter balloons, from my friend and Pastor Bill Hunter. Thanks Bill!
[At the designated time in the worship service, the pastor indicates that the service will be continued on the church parking lot or other appropriate site. As attendees file from the main service to the parking lot, theys are handed a balloon on a long string to which has been attached a verse of scripture concerning Christ's resurrection from the dead. When the congregation has reassembled on the parking lot, the service may proceed as follows.]
Pastor: He is risen! Surely this is the best news of all. It transformed those who first heard it and excites us when we think about the extraordinary wonder of Christ rising from the dead.
Congregation: "He is risen" is the marvelous proclamation which has reverberated through the ages. It shows God's masterful ability to bring triumph out of tragedy.
Pastor: Christ has been raised and we shall be raised with Him. This affects how we see death and dying. We resent death as an alien intruder - it robs us of loved ones - it leaves grievous holes in our families. But death, like an ignited fuse, has been extinguished.
Congregation: Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Thanks be to God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Pastor: Because of Christ's resurrection, Christians always have hope, always believe in a bright tomorrow, always rely on the promise of Christ that because He lives and has conquered sin and death we too shall live.
Congregation: The tragedy of Jesus' death brought us pardon for our sins. The triumph of Jesus' resurrection gives us a resilient life on earth and resurrected life beyond the grave.
Pastor: When life is going well, we know that any earthly pleasure is but a pale foretaste of what we shall know in the presence of our risen, living Savior.
Congregation: When life is painful, we know that it's only for a moment. Very soon we shall be where hurts and hardships cannot be remembered. Because He lives, we too shall live.
Pastor and Congregation: (loudly)
(Author and source of this selection is unknown)
Christ the Lord is risen!
We shall be raised with Him.
Praise to the Risen Son of God!
Amen.
A Word About the Balloon Release
Symbols are important only because they call our attention to the real thing. These balloons that we send aloft today are symbols of the reality of our living faith in a living Savior. Attached to the cord that we release are words that symbolize our commitment to the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ. As we allow the balloons to escape into the skies, let us reaffirm our faith that is grounded in the shed blood of Christ and in His victory over sin and death by His resurrection. The reality of the resurrection is more than a symbol, for the resurrection is at the very heart of what we believe about our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son and our Savior.
Hymn - "He Lives!"
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He's always near.
Chorus:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
Reciting of Resurrection Scripture Verses
(these are attached to the balloon strings and are to be read in quick succession)
Release of the Balloons (at the pastor's signal)
Handclap of Praise to Our Risen Savior
Benediction
© Copyright 2000 Brad Haugaard
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
– Matthew 16:26