by Steve Thomason | Sep 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
Daniel 2:24-49 Daniel 7:1-28 It is important to understand that there is a dramatic shift in Daniel’s life between chs. 1-4 under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar and ch. 5 under the leadership of Belshazzar. Under Neb’s rule Daniel was exalted to a high position in...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 7, 2010 | Uncategorized
Daniel 4:1-37 Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth. God taught Neb a crucial lesson that we would do well to take to heart. Neb had great success. He had conquered the world through brilliant military strategy. As a result he became the emporer of the...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 3, 2010 | Spiritual Formation, Youth Ministry
This week marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. As of Wednesday, September 1st, 2010, I am a full-time pastor once again, serving at Grace Lutheran Church in Andover, MN. My official title is Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Youth Ministries. The irony is...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
Earlier in his book, Ezekiel saw one of the most terrible visions that a Jewish priest of his day could have possibly seen. He saw the glory of the Lord depart from the Temple. How must Ezekiel have felt in that moment? Read Ezekiel 43:1-5 How must Ezekiel have felt...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 2, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Even in the darkest hours of life and circumstance, God can bring hope. How many times in your life have you been in a circumstance where you felt so empty that it seemed your bones were dried up and there was nothing left of life inside you? Perhaps...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ezekiel 36:22-32 In our society we have been deeply influenced by a philosophy of radical individualism. All the messages we hear in the media tell us to “look out for number one — you,” “you are the master of your own destiny,” “If it feels right for you, then...
by Steve Thomason | Sep 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ezekiel 33:30-33 Ezekiel was a professional preacher. Every day he would speak the words of the Lord to the people of Israel that were in captivity. What attitude did the people have toward Ezekiel and his message? What was the problem with this attitude? Think about...
by Steve Thomason | Aug 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ezekiel 33:1-11 In the midst of pages of prophetic words of doom, gloom, anger, and wrath from the mouth of the Lord, this passage shines as a bright reminder of the deep heart of God. God does not delight in hurting people. Like the old saying goes when a parent...
by Steve Thomason | Aug 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
Ezekiel 25-32 For centuries the people of Jerusalem had been told that they were the people of God, that the Temple was God’s earthly dwelling, and that God was the Lord Almighty, God above all gods. Now where was He? Were the Babylonian gods actually more powerful...
by Steve Thomason | Aug 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
Read Ezekiel 22:23-31. In the mid 1990’s, Promise Keepers (A national Christian Men’s ministry) gathered a million men in Washington D.C. called “Stand in the Gap.” Why do you think they called it by this name? Today we are reminded of another recurring theme in the...
