Todd Agnew

So, if angels had the “free will”/opportunity to rebel, why are they not given the opportunity to repent?

Thoughts?

Todd

When I was growing up, Carman recorded a live album with one of my favorite groups (Commissioned), and the Christ Church Choir. On it was a song called Sunday’s On The Way. In a way only Carman can do, it painted a picture of Easter weekend. It described Calvary as Satan’s plan to kill Jesus, Satan worrying whether or not it had worked, the devil’s rejoicing at their victory, and then Jesus’ triumphant return on Easter. So this Easter got me to thinking…

Did the devil understand the impact of the crucifixion? Was he hoping Jesus was dead and would stay that way? Did he consider it a victory? Or did he know that in that moment he was defeated? Was the resurrection a surprise to him?

Anyway, I know we can’t really know the answers to these questions, but I would love to hear your ideas.

Thoughts?

Todd

When I was a kid, I dreamed that one day crowds would chant my name.  I would be returning home a hero.

When I was an adult, I feared that one day crowds would chant my name.  I was no longer an innocent dreamer.  I was a criminal.

But I never dreamed that one day crowds would chant my name, not asking for my punishment but for my freedom.  And yet that is exactly what happened.

A young teacher had so angered this mob that they chanted for me to be freed and for him to be crucified.  I’ve heard of him.  There are many stories about this Jesus.  Some say he’s a prophet.  Some even say he’s the Messiah.  But I don’t really know much at all about him.

And yet, He died in my place.  That was my cross to carry and yet here I am, free.

I have a choice to make.  I can discover the truth of who he was, realizing that this could change everything forever.  Or I can ignore it, going right back to the life I’ve always lived.  The second one is definitely easier.  But the first…

The first…

Everyone thinks I ran away.  Which I did.  I have to admit that.  But I didn’t leave.  Where could I go?  My whole life is right there on that hill.  The One I still believe is the Messiah is dying right there.  And I should be with Him.  Either dying next to Him or at least standing with John and Mary and His mom.  But no, I’m over here in the trees on the next hill. Watching from a distance.  So ashamed that I denied Him, that I fled in the face of danger.  I couldn’t show my face there.  I couldn’t bear to see the look of disappointment on His face. That look would haunt me for the rest of my life.  But then, I guess it will anyway.  Still, I can’t go.  Where else should I be?  What does all this mean?  What does it mean for me?

Who am I?  The brave and bold disciple, or the one who denies even knowing Him?  Am I the one who walked on water or the one who ran when He needed me most?  It’s so hard to remember any note of goodness in the midst of my resounding failure.  I always thought I would be the hero.  I would be the one who stayed.  When everyone else fled, I would be by His side.  But I’m not.  I’m here skulking in the shadows.  I guess at the end of the day, I’m truly both: the angel and the devil.  The good and the bad.  The flesh and the spirit.  But it doesn’t feel that way.  I just feel the bad.  But I was my best when I was with Him.  And now He’s gone.

Okay, so here’s what we’re going to do. Friday I’m going to post a Do You See What I See, Easter Edition blog. It will be similar to the DYSWIS Christmas project, but this time I will explore what Good Friday or Saturday or Easter might have been like for one of the people who were a part of it. Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to write a piece from another person’s point of view. What would Good Friday have been like for… Mary? John? Pilate? The repentant thief? When you are done, you can post your writing as a comment along with mine. Hopefully we will all be encouraged first as we dig into the crucifixion and resurrection, and secondly as we share in each other’s stories. I hope you will write. Post any time over the weekend. I’ve got two stirring in my mind already. Which one will I post? I don’t even know yet. I can’t wait to hear what God shows you as He brings that weekend to life in your heart.

Todd

We spend a lot of time analyzing the modern American church (unless you live somewhere else in the world, in which case you are welcome to analyze your own church). We spend a lot of time finding what it wrong. I wanted to do something different today. I would love to hear from you some comments on the area or areas where you think the church as a whole is really doing well right now. What are some things that you think are being done with excellence? Where do you feel the church is doing a great job of challenging, shaping, and encouraging you? I can’t wait to hear from you.

Thoughts?

Todd

Okay folks, it’s been pretty heavy lately here on the blog. So I thought I’d ask you an easy question. It’s a good week in music right now. The new Paul Simon (which is excellent, by the way), new Foo Fighters, new Alison Krauss and Union Station, new Laura Story, new Mandisa, and a new Rebecca St. James record all in the last few days. So, I thought I’d check and see what music you’re enjoying listening to right now. I’m really enjoying the new records by the Village Church, the Decemberists, the Civil Wars, and Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. I just noticed everybody has “the” in front of their names. Maybe on the next record I should try that. The Todd Agnew. Doesn’t quite work. I’ll have to think about it some more. So, what are your favorite new CDs?

Thoughts?

Todd

So what do you think about the idea of generational sins? Do you believe sins and punishments are passed down from parents to children? In Exodus and Deuteronomy, we find similar passages:

“6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands,forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” – Exodus 34

But in Ezekiel 18:20 we find the opposite:

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

Thoughts?

Todd

Hey guys, I’m studying and prepping for camp this summer. I was wondering if any of you pastors or serious studiers have a commentary you like for the Gospel of John? I have the one by Donald A. Carson. But that’s it so far. Thanks.

Todd

“Theology, not morality, is the first business on the church’s agenda of reform, and the church, not society, is the first target of divine criticism.” -Michael Scott Horton

And… discuss.

Thoughts?

Todd