Subscription Lists

If I were to ask you to imagine yourself as someone else – or to identify with their situation – who would it be?

Conceiving a mental image of a person, event or possible outcome to our choices is often necessary to plan for the future, as almost every physical action is the result of a mental image or idea. Identifying with someone entails gaining an understanding of who they are and the situation they find themselves, so that we are tempted to respond on their behalf or in concert with them. The choice before us then becoming whether we merely sympathize…  ( Click for more )

I sometimes hesitate to respond to things that make the headlines because I’m not sure how relevant they really are, they appear to be self-evidently outrageous enough to be automatically dismissed by most thinking people, or I just don’t have anything constructive to add to the conversation. But the ideals behind “political correctness” and the hypersensitivity it sometimes engenders just won’t go away.

For instance, a university president recently offended some on his campus by wearing a sombrero at a costume party. Another university’s…  ( Click for more )

I am not an overly political person. I do believe Christians should be aware of the issues and involved in policy-making for our country, but I certainly don’t believe politics or any one political party to be the salvation of America. Furthermore, I can’t say I totally agree or disagree with either of the major parties’ stand on the issues; but must say I categorically disagree with the social/moral agenda one party in particular seems to hold so dear. (Even as I find the near hero worship of the wealthy by the other party and the subsequent disregard…  ( Click for more )

Such was the opinion held by John Chrysotom (349-407 A.D.), one of the more eloquent early church fathers, who lamented many of his fellow believers accommodation of worldly practices and attitudes; posing the question – If the world sees no difference in our lives, perceives no benefit in following Christ from our attitudes and actions – regardless of what we say – why should they bother? “We admire wealth equally with (non-Christians), and even more. We have the same horror of death, the same dread of poverty, the same impatience of disease; we are…  ( Click for more )

Throughout biblical history, only two men are recorded as never dying; Enoch and Elijah. Both were considered prophets (see 1 & 2Kings and Jude 14,15), warning of impending judgement and both lived in a time when it was unpopular to follow the Lord and Him only.

Elijah boldly confronted the idol worship that was so prevalent in the Israel of his day, living in constant danger of retribution from the religious and political authorities who desired to silence him – permanently – if they could. Instead, at a point of God’s choosing, Elijah was…  ( Click for more )

Is the title of a book by Doug Bandow in the Turning Point Christian Worldview Series that attempts to guide Christians through the intricacies of political involvement. The secondary title of this book – A Biblical View of Politics – stressing the basis from which Christians should make their decisions as to who will represent them at the local, state and federal levels of government. Mr. Bandow consistently noting the pluses and minuses of both parties platforms even as he stresses the need for political involvement by Christians; not in establishing a…  ( Click for more )

A revolution is defined as a radical transformation caused by irresistible forces that overturn established orders. It’s safe to say most unchurched people and many professing Christians have “established orders” in their lives that need overturning; Jesus and his Word offering the only genuine radical force that works irresistibly in our lives to change hearts, minds and actions. This revolution accomplishing two things – magnifying our love and zeal for the Lord and increasing our love for others, which according to Christ are the two most important…  ( Click for more )

Few would argue with the statement, “…if we are authentic Christians, we are always on the side of the poor, the marginalized, the least, the last and the lost.”1 Where disagreements do tend to surface is when the discussion turns to identifying who the poor and marginalized really are and how best to address their legitimate needs.

For instance, there are 47 million Americans receiving food stamps today. (Only one of several forms of government assistance that is vital to some, abused by others.) Many of these people do not want to be on public assistance,…  ( Click for more )

Last week we looked at a few of the benefits and pitfalls of the new way some are “doing church.” As stated before, a periodic examination of who we are and what we are about is good for the soul of any individual and every organization. But we must remain faithful to the basic tenets of the faith set forth in scripture, one of which is key to any evaluation of who we are in relation to God and those about us.

A consistent theme of ministry throughout the New Testament, first espoused by John the Baptist as Christ’s herald (Matthew 3:1-3) and…  ( Click for more )

The Xtreme Faith Movement was inaugurated several years ago with Stephen Baldwin and other “cutting edge” celebrities serving as its poster boys. And while I agree that the established church may very well need to be re-thought and shaken up a bit from time to time, there seems to be a certain amount of deep-seated resentment, antagonism and disrespect directed at the church by some movements of this type that is disturbing. As a result, some members of the “established church” feel threatened, disrespected and resentful in return. When we look to…  ( Click for more )

Contrary to what modern critics would have us believe, women have often assumed prominent roles in Israel’s history and the development of the Christian church. There certainly were and still are segments of Israel’s culture as well as past and present church practice that are less than what God would desire, but overall the Law of Israel and the doctrines of the church have served to elevate the rights and role of women in the home and society. For the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the God of Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel as well; and some of Jesus’…  ( Click for more )

What comes to mind at the mention of John the Baptist? An eccentric, if pious hermit; dressing roughly, eating oddly, living almost in exile? (Matthew 3:4) Certainly nothing in his life-style fits the model we associate with greatness today; although Jesus asserted, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than…”he. Matthew 11:11

Why would we consider someone with no formal education, living in isolation with no social standing, material possessions or prospects for success, as anything but odd? The only thing he might…  ( Click for more )

Last week we considered the possibility of being expected to set difficult goals or appear strange to others in our pursuit of a Christian lifestyle. This week we are going to look at a few more specific incidents where people were asked to be faithful and accomplish tasks some of us would never dream of.

Moses led a million - plus rebellious people from Egypt and set the machinery in place for successful government, law and order, food service, health, hygiene and worship. However, in Exodus 17:1-7, Moses is instructed to strike a rock, bringing forth water.…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever felt out of place, different or even a bit strange? I hope you have, because if you always fit in with those around you, you probably aren’t living the life you should; as a Christian lifestyle will clash with, stand out from, and be out of step with the world’s value system. If we pattern our lives on the word of God and the example of Jesus and his followers revealed in scripture – we will be different! Being ever-mindful that, as the Supreme Being, God thinks and acts differently than we do (See Is. 55:8), but if he is our pattern, we should…  ( Click for more )

This time of year we are especially drawn to light; as it gets dark earlier, house and street lights are more noticeable; with a chill in the air, fireplaces radiate welcoming warmth. We decorate our homes in festive colors; trees trimmed with lights while candles shimmer and dance. Mankind has always been drawn to light. Worshipped as a god and utilized as a tool of survival, light – to illumine, beckon, warm, warn or expose, has been used for man’s benefit since the beginning of time. We depend on the light and warmth of the sun, we enjoy a moonlit walk, we use…  ( Click for more )

One reason Christians don’t feel compelled to lead friends and family – let alone those they know less well – to Christ is lack of understanding as to the true nature of the One they claim to worship and follow.

Scripture teaches us of God’s love. It also describes how God’s grace and mercy is applied to our lives through Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross. Scripture likewise describing how God will react to those who are unconvinced, unconvicted and unredeemed; transgressors worthy of punishment up to and including death.…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been there, feeling that low and being that honest? Mentally and emotionally agreeing with Paul as he bares his soul in Romans 7:18,19, confessing “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.” Which stands categorically opposed to the social teaching of our day – that man is basically good, just needing the right circumstances to express it;…  ( Click for more )

In any attempt at living a God-centered life, the question of personal sacrifice and preparedness always arises. The ultimate answer and example being found in Jesus himself who, “... being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death.“ Philippians 2:5-8 He gave up everything for you and me. Not just life as we know it – but, for a while,…  ( Click for more )

Is there a price to be paid for following Christ? A young man asked this question of Jesus many years ago. Jesus’ reply to him was to give all he had and in so doing become a genuine follower of his Way, gaining riches in heaven and receiving eternal life. (Matthew 19:16-21) Upon hearing this requirement made of the rich young ruler, Peter asserted that he and the others with him had done just that, to which Jesus assured him, “…no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail…  ( Click for more )

Over the years various articles, interviews, books and documentaries have questioned not the person of Jesus, who is too widely accepted as a leading historical figure in one form or another; but questioning His divinity and from there attacking His purpose on the cross. The reality of his godhood, the value of his sacrifice and, in particular, the function of the cross considered grotesque and insulting to today’s sensitivities. After all, doesn’t God warn us against violence? (Ezekiel 45:9 & Romans 12:19,20) How could a loving God then condemn anyone,…  ( Click for more )

C. S. Lewis wisely observed, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next… Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.”1

Author Brian Jones agrees, asserting that, “Christians lose apocalyptic urgency (to their lives) when they become pre-occupied with important kingdom related activities like feeding the poor and fighting for human rights. Over time they allow these activities to take precedence over helping…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever considered what the difference between wisdom and knowledge is? Maybe it would be to our benefit to do so, as it may not always be readily apparent but can at times be instrumental in differentiating between good and bad advice and actions. Knowledge is defined as a state of knowing the facts concerning a topic or issue while wisdom is shown by good judgment – making sound decisions based on what is already known combined with what we learn from practical life experience – or the ability to use knowledge well.

For example, most…  ( Click for more )

That statement makes it sound as if in seeking heaven we may encounter unpleasantness or even hardship. Is that really the case? What does it mean to bear a cross anyway? It sounds hard – maybe even dangerous. Many would define cross-bearing as outright persecution, while others feel burdened if a change in lifestyle is recommended as a result of faithfulness. What do you consider to be your cross? Your parents, your boss at work, the responsibility demanded of you by your teachers, preacher and peers; has your faith’s call for outspokenness and disciplined…  ( Click for more )

In spite of the traditional claims of the Catholic Church, Mary was not a perpetual virgin. Matthew’s gospel merely stating that Joseph and Mary refrained from sex, “…until she gave birth to (Jesus).” Matthew 1:25 Luke significantly describing Jesus as their, “…firstborn son.” Luke 2:7 Matthew and Mark listing Jesus’ brothers by name; James, Joses, Simon and Jude. Both gospels likewise mentioning unnamed “sisters” as well.

Outside of the one somewhat “rebellious” incident in the temple…  ( Click for more )