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Few teachings of Jesus are more misunderstood and misapplied than this one; because from everything else Jesus taught, we know he wasn’t suggesting we turn a blind eye to sin. Some then use the “confusion” surrounding this scripture to debate what actually constitutes sin, causing others of us to shy away from dealing with it as such; not wanting to be labeled as intolerant and judgmental. After all, verse 2 of Matthew 7 does say, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”…  ( Click for more )

In any call to arms or plea for aid, people invariably ask – ‘Why should I get involved? Why can’t the people we elect, hire or appoint take care of it?’ In the case under consideration today, ‘Why can’t the preacher do it?’ But the preacher gets paid to preach, to educate, to excite, to motivate YOU to become actively involved. He can’t do it all himself. Besides, preachers can make mistakes, a few have been known to intentionally lead others astray. At one point, Hosea delivered God’s word as a blistering rebuke…  ( Click for more )

Throughout history, the ability to communicate has been vitally important, on the battlefield it is absolutely essential. Until relatively recent times, wired or wireless communication wasn’t available, so people had to be a little innovative. On a hilltop close to the scene of fighting a flag corp would be stationed, or a corp of trumpeters would be available to signal or sound any number of calls; rise and shine, re-form, charge and retreat. Needless to say, these signals had to be clear and easily distinguished and ranged from timely and convenient to crucial for…  ( Click for more )

What kind of images do you associate with spring? Baby chicks and bunnies, decorated eggs, new clothes, green grass, budding trees and flowers emerging from the ground, an egg hunt, toys, candy – a too-early Sunrise Service, Jesus crucified yet risen? Hopefully the latter is prominent on your list, because while there’s nothing wrong in looking forward to the former items on our list, the latter – Jesus – is the reason we truly celebrate Easter.

Unbeknownst to some, the secular side of Easter – like Christmas – can trace some…  ( Click for more )

CNN is airing a multi-night special titled, “Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery”; ostensibly based on a number of biblical and extra- biblical sources with the so-called gospel of Judas at times taking center-stage. Which is hardly new, since the discovery of this long-lost “gospel” a few years ago had some thinking that Christianity would be forced to re-think itself because of its portrayal of the quintessential traitor – Judas – as a trusted friend and confidant of Christ. The Rev. Donald Senior, President of the Catholic Theological Union…  ( Click for more )

One of the first recorded decrees from God to his then-chosen people – the Israelites – was for them to, “Fear the Lord your God, serv(ing) him only… for the Lord your God… is a jealous God…” Deuteronomy 6:13

The decrees, commands and laws given to the Israeli’s through Moses were then intended to guarantee they and their children would possess and inherit the land they had been miraculously brought to; ensuring a joy-filled long life, causing them in turn to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and…  ( Click for more )

Green – the color of Ireland, the emerald isle; necessitating the wearing of green on St. Patrick’s Day. Images of a pugnacious character, with a look of defiant determination on his face and shamrocks abound. Pride in being Irish is expressed in parades and ceremonies all across the country. But beyond celebrating one’s Irishness, who was St. Patrick (Ireland’s patron saint) and why should we remember and honor him?

Patricius, a Romanized Briton, was captured by slave-traders from Ireland at the age of 16. During his exile in the…  ( Click for more )

Was he an enslaved aristocrat from a conquered land or a pampered official of a victorious empire? (Daniel 1:1-5 &48) A young man who had lost family, home and place of worship or one who had gained favor, status and wealth? (Daniel 1:6-18 & 48) A man of God from the land of Judah or a man of Bel from the land of Babylon?

At the mere mention of Daniel’s name we immediately think of the lion’s den, but Daniel’s life was full of memorable events. He was captured at the fall of Judah and dragged away a slave to Babylon. Once there…  ( Click for more )

Gossip is engaged in at home, school, work and even church and could be defined as nothing more than idle talk, telling tales and spreading rumors; the juicier the better! So how bad can it be if so many people eagerly participate in it? (Even many “news” magazines and television shows being based on the premise of “dishing the dirt.”)

Have you ever had a tall tale told on you? How much did it annoy or hurt you that somebody was messing in your business; how unfair were they in their portrayal of you and your ideas; how right was it for…  ( Click for more )

This scripture from Psalm 40:8 can also be translated, “I desire to do your will…” The KJ and NIV versions choosing to accentuate slightly different aspects of the same word. The obvious truth of the matter being that we usually desire the things we delight in.

Delight is defined as a pleasing sensation, often experienced in anticipation of a desired object, occurrence or person’s company. Desire expressed as a longing or craving for that person, object or goal. Jesus characterizing it as “hungering and thirsting.” (Matthew…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever wondered how some holidays got their start? All of them intend to be a reminder of something or someone, commemorating the day a significant event occurred or the person who did it. Some are obvious; Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July. Some, however, we view in a light not at first intended; one of those being Valentine’s Day.

Originally this celebration commemorated the martyrdom of one, possibly two priests; both named Valentine or Valentinian – a common Latin name. One, a priest and physician; the other, a bishop of Terni; were…  ( Click for more )

From this straight-forward acknowledgement of God’s purpose in asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, we draw both comfort and dis-ease. Why would God test Abraham so severely? Hadn’t he already professed belief in and allegiance to God? Why was it necessary to prove himself in this way? Well, the stakes were high; Abraham stood to gain a lot from his relationship with God but much would be expected from him as well. He needed to prove his worth and value through faithfulness not so much to God as to himself. And he needed to be convinced of God’s provision…  ( Click for more )

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus very matter-of-factly refers to a time of testing many have difficulty dealing with. (Luke 8:13) What is he talking about? How do times of testing come to us and what should we learn from them? More to the point, does God specifically test us as individuals and if so, for what purpose?

Tests may present themselves in a number of ways – as trials, persecution and temptation; sometimes imposed on us by others, often self-inflicted. There are times however, when scripture records God testing individuals with a particular…  ( Click for more )

Sports commentator and author, Mike Greenberg, appeared on the CBS Morning News program within days of football’s divisional championships and was immediately asked to comment on the alleged “cheating” by the New England Patriots; who have had issues in the past, “fudging” the rules to gain an advantage over their opponents. Mr. Greenberg’s first comments spoke to the point differential at the end of the game, saying he didn’t really believe Indianapolis could have won anyway; ending with the old NASCAR adage, ‘If you ain’t…  ( Click for more )

The biblical story of Samson in Judges 13-16 can seem somewhat confusing and appear contradictory. How could a man so flawed in character be used by God? Is it wise for the church or any other organization to appoint men with similar character flaws to positions of leadership today? Can we realistically benefit from their positive abilities while merely glossing over their shortcomings? These are pertinent questions, especially in light of the insistence by some that what a person does in private has no bearing on their public service and commitments; as if what motivates…  ( Click for more )

For some, Leviticus 19:28 speaks with finality to the issue of tattoo’s. Others point out that the Levitical injunction against tattoos is part of the Law which we in this present age are no longer bound to. In reality, the scripture that speaks against tattooing is coupled with a prohibition against cutting one’s body in remembrance of the dead; a pagan practice of remorse and worship of gods other than Jehovah. (See 1 Kings 18:28) Throughout time, large numbers of people groups have used tattooing as a sign of religious dedication and tribal adornment…  ( Click for more )

Seeking virtue by rejecting all passion isn’t exclusive to Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame. It’s actually based on the Stoic ideal of Greek philosophy where god was the “prime mover” who none-the-less maintained his status as unmoved and unmovable. He was believed to be pure thought, devoid of all feeling and therefore “logical.” The idea that emotions are irrational and unnatural were thus imposed on God by Greco-Roman philosophers who saw weakness in passionate displays of anger, sorrow and even joy; influencing Western theology for thousands…  ( Click for more )

Last week, we attempted to discover our place in the world by referencing lyrics from Petra’s recording of “Not of This World,” and Andrew Peterson’s newer release of “The Far Country”; which echo several references made by Peter (and others) to Christians about matching their opportunities for success in the world with God’s expectations of righteousness and separation from the world.

The first line from, “Not Of This World,” claims that we are “pilgrims in a strange land” – that we are…  ( Click for more )

A popular song titled, “Not of this World”, recorded by the Christian rock group Petra back in the 80’s, asserted that ‘we are strangers, we are aliens, we are not of this world.’ This scriptural concept is often misunderstood or misrepresented, yet is quite important if we are to live a life patterned after that of Christ’s. (Andrew Peterson’s more recent CD “The Far Country,” likewise emphasizes this same theme, reminding us that we are indeed residing in a country far from home – to which we should be looking…  ( Click for more )

Does that sound like an unusual question? Most of us would agree that a name is a word that identifies us as to who we are as a person and our standing within a family. Proverbs seems to be speaking to another issue however, when it insists:

“A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1

But what is a good, esteemed name? Holding someone in high esteem is to have a high regard or respect for them and the qualities brought to mind at the mention of their name; which becomes…  ( Click for more )

These are three directives our Lord consistently challenges us with that are routinely ignored or picked over and done at our convenience; occasionally applying one or the other to our lives, we often relegate the rest to a later date when we have more time, money, interest or ability. Scripturally, they are grouped together as a series of progressive commands and expectations, one flowing into the other till they reach completion as a whole.

The first is an invitation reiterated throughout scripture to, “Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever struggled with faith issues, finding it difficult to believe in something you don’t really understand? You’re not alone, most of us struggle to develop a rock-solid belief system and unshakable faith; some never will. That kind of faith and faithfulness is usually acquired one small step at a time as we prove God’s faithfulness and develop a dependence on him that vindicates and verifies our trust. Often we can do nothing more than exclaim, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24; before we fully realize, “Everything…  ( Click for more )

John 8:32 is a frequently quoted passage from scripture. But what is truth? (A question asked by Pilate (John 8:38) and countless others throughout time; some seeking legitimate answers, others using that question to challenge authority and “conventional” wisdom.) What isn’t quoted nearly as much is the preface to this statement. Jesus, speaking to those who had come to him in faith but with questions none-the-less, explained “If you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth,…” which will set you…  ( Click for more )

Even when we don’t know how to pray or what to say specifically when we do, it comforts us to know that God has supplied us with an aid to effective prayer. As, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26,27

Sometimes, especially in a crisis, we don’t know what…  ( Click for more )