Next to my profession of faith in Christ, no decision has so changed my life than when I forgave my dad. My younger sisters and I grew up in an extremely violent alcoholic home. We saw and experienced things I'd prefer not to share here. When sober, my dad was amazing. But, when he was … Continue reading The Day I Forgave My Dad
Grace
The Holy Who?
Sadly, we Southern Baptists (not all, but I estimate the majority) have a poor and deficient understanding of the Holy Spirit. In the upper room, on the night before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples, But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who … Continue reading The Holy Who?
The Most Important Question One Will Ever Answer: “Who is Jesus?”
In 1st century Palestine people were asking the same question people are asking today: "Who IS this guy??" In his gospel, John records, "While some said, 'He is a good man,' others said, 'No, he is leading people astray." (7:12) Later, in 8:25, the Jews ask Jesus incredulously, "Who ARE you??" Again, in 8:48-53: "The … Continue reading The Most Important Question One Will Ever Answer: “Who is Jesus?”
Day 2 (of 3) – A Sermon for the Ages
What was Jesus doing between his death & his resurrection? No one knows for certain. But there is a most curious passage in Peter's first letter. Here it is: 1 Peter 3:18-22 (NLT) - Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely … Continue reading Day 2 (of 3) – A Sermon for the Ages
Good Friday – Twenty Centuries Ago…
By Good Friday morning, the rooster has crowed, alerting Simon Peter to the fact that, just as Jesus predicted, he would deny Jesus not once, but three times. The other disciples have scattered in fear. Jesus has spent the entire night facing a very illegal, very hostile, kangaroo court designed to railroad him into a … Continue reading Good Friday – Twenty Centuries Ago…
The Very Serious Issue of Love
"But I know that you do not have the love of God within you." Jesus Christ; John 5:42 Holy mackerel - If I were sitting across a table at a coffee shop with Jesus,....would he say this very same thing to me?? His piercing statement haunts me. Here's the thing - the "love of God" … Continue reading The Very Serious Issue of Love
B-E-L-I-E-V-E
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life..." John the Baptist; John 3:36 Really, it all comes down to what we believe. I heard a preacher years ago say, "What you believe determines how you live regardless of what you say." Truth. When the disciple John wrote his gospel account he placed a great deal … Continue reading B-E-L-I-E-V-E
Fast & Furious
"When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the … Continue reading Fast & Furious
At the Corner of Guilt & Shame
She was a Samaritan. The Jews hated Samaritans. She, due to her own bad choices, had a rough past. And her present situation wasn't any better. Jews didn't speak to Samaritans, much less a Jewish man speak to a Samaritan woman. But Jesus not only spoke to her, he initiated the conversation. John records the … Continue reading At the Corner of Guilt & Shame
No More Sickness
"For this corruptible [body] must put on incorruption; and this mortal [body] must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:53) Sorta sounds like a script for the next Avengers movie, huh? "Regular person turns into super-hero." But, this is no movie script. This is Holy SCRIPTure. Recently, I came down with something out of the pits … Continue reading No More Sickness