When I was a kid we played football in the street. Every now and then, if we kicked-off horribly we would beg for a “do over.” Honestly, there are moments I consider all of the many things I’ve messed up in my life (the list is endless), wishing I could somehow have a “do over.” … Continue reading A New Year: one of God’s ways of telling us, “Let’s start over.
Follow your heart?
"Follow your heart." What could possibly be wrong with that statement? Presently, I'm reading a biography on John Newton (1725-1807), author of the beloved song, Amazing Grace. The seafaring Newton, at 17 years of age, stumbled upon Earl of Shaftesbury’s “The Moralists: a Philosophical Rhapsody.” Newton loved it, reading it over and over again. Shaftesbury, … Continue reading Follow your heart?
When God asks you do to something “stupid.”
Has God ever asked you to do something makes absolutely no sense? Meet Naaman. (ENG transliteration: NAY-muhn) Naaman was the commander of the army of Aram. The Bible describes him as a "valiant warrior." But, for all his skills and successes, he was burdened (and not doubt embarrassed) with a skin disease. (You can read … Continue reading When God asks you do to something “stupid.”
‘Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
‘Twas the Night Before Jesus Came ‘Twas the night before Jesus came, And all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, Not one in the house. Their Bibles were laid on the shelf without care, Thinking that Jesus would never come there. The children were ready to crawl into bed, Not one … Continue reading ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
When You Feel Like Someone’s Out to Get You
So did Jeremiah (and a host of other ‘heroes of the faith.’) But let’s look real quickly at Jeremiah’s story. He wrote, “The Lord told me about the plots my enemies were making against me… I had no idea that they were planning to kill me.” Most likely, you’ve never felt your life was being … Continue reading When You Feel Like Someone’s Out to Get You
Stupid Is as Stupid Does
If you’re old enough, you most likely remember the above quote from the 1994 film, Forrest Gump. Although 3,000 later, Forrest could have well been referring to a man in the Bible. His name was Nabal. And his story is found in 1 Samuel 25. You’ll need to read the story for yourself, but here’s … Continue reading Stupid Is as Stupid Does
The problem with “God just wants us to be happy.”
In 2014, on the platform at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, his wife, Victoria, told the crowd, "Do good 'cause God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God, really. You're doing it for yourself because that's what makes God happy." … Continue reading The problem with “God just wants us to be happy.”
For the “stalled out,” tired, and worn down
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on … Continue reading For the “stalled out,” tired, and worn down
All Worldviews – not just Christianity – Require Faith
"When someone stands up and says, 'I am a person of faith,' they shouldn't get respect for it. They think that's a respect-producing statement: 'I am a person of faith.' In other words, 'I am a person who will believe practically anything on no evidence at all.'" Christopher Hitchens The late Christopher Hitchens was no … Continue reading All Worldviews – not just Christianity – Require Faith
“…and the LORD has laid on [Christ] the sins of us all.”
"...and the LORD has laid on [Christ] the sins of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) This is prodigious and shocking truth... One theologian comments on this passage: The manner in which God laid our sins on Jesus Christ was that God treated him as if he had committed every sin ever committed by every person who … Continue reading “…and the LORD has laid on [Christ] the sins of us all.”