Understanding what it means to be able to “draw near to God”... There are people in important roles whose office I could call today and be told either it will be days or weeks before I can see them, or that I can’t see them at all. Not so with the God who spoke the … Continue reading Drawing Near to God – And What It Cost Him
Grace Notes
The Valley of Vision
The Valley of Vision: a collection of Puritan prayers is a book of prayers I have in my library. The Puritan Movement took place primarily during the 16th & 17th centuries. As with any “religiosity” the corrupt heart of mankind can twist God’s Word to mean what they want it to mean - hence, the … Continue reading The Valley of Vision
“Behold, he is coming…”
"Behold, he is coming..." (Revelation 1:7) I read a post the other day written by a person vehemently lambasting those who hold to the promise of Jesus' second coming. They wrote, "Never mind that every preacher has been peddling that 'we're now in the end times' bull-[crap] for 2,000 years now. And tragically, several billion … Continue reading “Behold, he is coming…”
The Gospel According to Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
"I wear the chain I forged in life.... I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it." Jacob Marley The quote cited above, of course, is from Charles Dickens' beloved story, A Christmas Carol - a story … Continue reading The Gospel According to Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Where Are the Other Nine?
Rembrandt - Jesus Healing the Leper Recorded only in Luke's gospel is the story of Jesus' encounter with ten lepers while on His way to Jerusalem. When they saw Him, the ostracized, disenfranchised outcasts all cried, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Jesus did just that. And then He instructed them to follow through with … Continue reading Where Are the Other Nine?
No. 1 Reason Many Reject Christianity? Christians
NOTE: It's easy - and valid - to attribute one's refusal to profess faith in Christ to the hypocrisy and faithlessness of those who actually profess that faith. But, that excuse won't hold up in Final Court. Please stay with me to the end of this blog. The 18th century German philosopher and atheist, Friedrich … Continue reading No. 1 Reason Many Reject Christianity? Christians
Being on the Receiving End of Gossip
We've all been there. And it hurts. People love to gossip. It's hard wired into fallen human nature. Someone once said. "A lie can make it halfway around the world while the truth is still putting its shoes on." And we all know the joke (containing a great deal of truth): "Christians don't gossip; they … Continue reading Being on the Receiving End of Gossip
Our Illuminating God
Psalm 139, which includes the familiar, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," is a beautiful song/poem written by the ancient Jewish king, David. In verses 11-12, David is contemplating the impossibility of escaping from God's love, care and sight. Using darkness and light as metaphors, he writes,... "I could ask the darkness to hide me … Continue reading Our Illuminating God
Our True North: the Word of God
After our son, Jordan, took his life the earth shifted underneath our feet. Our world was turned upside down. We soon took scripture printed on copy paper and taped it to every door-jam, every mirror, every cabinet door - you get the idea. (A few of them are in the very spot we placed them … Continue reading Our True North: the Word of God
Racism & the Bible
You’ve no doubt heard about the White Supremacists/KKK Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the violence that ensued resulting in one death and many seriously injured. (Of note, every organization represented in the United States – regardless of how unpopular & hateful their views – has the constitutional right to assemble peacefully and benefit from their … Continue reading Racism & the Bible