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Here we go again. Another prediction of the end of the world. The catalyst this time being the Mayan Calendar. But as I understand it, it’s not based on specific incidents alluded to by the Mayans but that it’s done, it runs out, no longer keeping a record of times or dates beyond December 21,2012.

In response to this much bally-hooed occurrence has come a lot of discussion – at least in some circles – and some fearful contemplation of life after – what? The end of the world or the end of civilization as we know it? Taking advantage…  ( Click for more )

James asks, “...do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.’ You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by his faith alone.” James 2:21-24 Is this a contradiction…  ( Click for more )

“…but immediately goes to work in the life of the believer.” With this statement John MacArthur sums up the information presented in The Gospel According To Jesus and its sequel, The Gospel According To The Apostles.1In them he investigates the two supposedly contradictory schools of thought within Christendom essentially expressed as works vs. grace.

Paul emphatically states,...”it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”…  ( Click for more )

From Thanksgiving through Christmas and on in to the New Year celebration, giving thanks in one form or another for any number of reasons is a prominent theme; for secularists and Christians alike. A time when the whole world seems to take stock of the past and then, holding its breath and crossing its fingers, hopes for a better future. The ideal of thankfulness is universal and often more prevalent throughout society as a result of tough times like we’ve experienced lately. That being the case, I believe a revisiting of the theme of gratefulness and thanksgiving…  ( Click for more )

During a U.N. commemoration of the Jewish holocaust several years ago, Germany’s then-Chancellor Schroeder acknowledged the environment that existed prior to and throughout W.W. II that allowed for the atrocities inflicted on the Jewish people and anyone else disagreeing with the Nazi agenda.

The simple statement that, “The brutalization of thought and the loss of moral inhibitions had a history,…” in Germany that preconditioned its citizens to embrace Nazi ideals, enabling them to cruelly march across the European continent and much…  ( Click for more )

Should Christians be involved in the celebration of Halloween? A good first indicator might be to consider the images it conveys. Ghosts, witches, monsters, demons, blood and gore, the devil, graves and black magic – symbols of evil or good, wholesomeness or unwholesomeness? Even the cry, “Trick or Treat!” is bribery if not a threat. Treat me and I won’t play a trick on you. Don’t and you’re in for it. For some, it’s nothing more than an excuse for bad behavior, you’re gonna get it either way!

Halloween…  ( Click for more )

Last week we considered the opinions of two knowledgeable men, Pastor Nathan Wilson and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. Both spoke articulately on the function of politics in general, while Mr. Hamilton spoke more specifically on the role of government in our daily lives. Mr. Wilson’s comments included five talking points to be considered from a religious and political perspective, which I would like to address now.

1. “Religion should increase our honesty, civility and compassion. It should not be used to make our politics even more…  ( Click for more )

Pastor Nathan Wilson believes so, and recently contributed an op-ed article to the Indianapolis Star explaining how.1 His assertion being that politics and religion are not natural enemies but should be deeply related, neither using the other as a tool of coercion but one informing the other as decisions are made and policies set on the local, state and national levels. Which thoroughly scares some people silly. The point being that if one is truly “religious”, our perception of right and wrong – good, better and best – will be impacted. More that…  ( Click for more )

The past two weeks have been spent in examining the possible significance of a repetitive phrase appearing exclusively in John’s rendition of the gospel story; rendered “Verily, verily” in the KJ, “Truly, truly” in the NASB, “I tell you the truth” in the NIV. Used as an introduction to key pieces of scripture throughout John’s chronicle of Jesus’ life and teachings 24 times.

However, the singular term Verily or Truly I say unto you, again translated in the NIV as I tell you the truth, appears 51 times throughout…  ( Click for more )

Last week we looked at the Apostle John’s singular use of the phrase; “Verily, verily, I say unto you...” A declarative statement rendered, “Truly, truly, I say unto you...” in the NASB; “I tell you the truth...” in the NIV; that Jesus used to get everyone’s attention, whether during a private meeting of the inner core of disciples or on a hillside speaking to thousands; encouraging them to pay special attention to what’s coming. ‘Really guys, this is important. Listen up now, this is crucial to understanding…  ( Click for more )

Repetition has been routinely used as a means of teaching facts or reinforcing ideas; whether in the classroom or on a ball field, at home or in church. In fact, Jesus is shown, exclusively by John in his Gospel, emphasizing certain principles with the preceding phrase, “Verily, verily, I say unto you...” (KJ), “Truly, truly...” (in the NASB) or “I tell you the truth...” (in the NIV)

And while I certainly believe, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching...” 2 Timothy 3:16; I can’t…  ( Click for more )

With floods, fires and hurricanes in part of the country, tornadoes and drought throughout the rest – one is tempted to ask, ‘Is anyone in control?’ Now, as national and state governments, private aid agencies and individuals struggle to meet the needs of countless numbers of people; Christians in particular need to step to the fore-front of efforts to alleviate the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of others struggling to cope.

Some such tragedies (along with others, like illness, disease and conflicts between individuals and nations) happen…  ( Click for more )

Does that sound a bit radical? Maybe the question ought to be: Can we be genuinely serious about anything and not be significantly different as a result? That’s the point isn’t it – to be unique in our approach, support and enthusiasm for the things we are interested by and believe in? But therein lays the problem as well, as fans of all sorts are expected to show enthusiastic support for the things that excite them. However, expressing real commitment and excitement about our relationship with the Lord and our fellow believers is considered fanatical;…  ( Click for more )

In attempting to answer the questions posed in last week’s first installment of, “…the battle is the Lord’s,…”; we examined the lives of several Old Testament men who faced tremendous obstacles yet overcame them all – David, Noah and Gideon.

Being baffled, confused and puzzled by circumstances beyond our control and overwhelmed by decisions and tasks that seem beyond our abilities to complete are common to all men in every age. In continuing our quest this week, let’s look at Paul, the…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been confused by a series of incidents you didn’t understand, questioned an insurmountable task you were expected to perform, had difficult decisions to make that you didn’t feel capable of? Well – you’re not! None of us are; life being too big, the decisions to be made too important and far-reaching to be easy. But remember, “…with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 King David summed up his attitude when confronted with “giant” difficulties by asserting “…the battle is the Lord’s...”,…  ( Click for more )

In response to the ongoing debate amongst many academics concerning men and women’s scholastic and business capabilities, I thought it would be interesting to note how two unlikely heralds of political correctness actually stepped up and simply reported the truth. TIME Magazine running a cover story titled, The Case For Staying Home – Why more young moms are opting out of the rat race; while The New York Times Magazine asked on it’s cover, Why Don’t More Women Get To The Top?, answering boldly – They Choose Not To.1

Claudia Wallis’…  ( Click for more )

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalm 8:3,4

Frankly, I find scripture like this somewhat puzzling, many prophecies or related “pronouncements” being recognized as such only in hindsight or when we perceive their double meaning. (Such as Is. 7:14 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Many Messianic prophecies coming to be…  ( Click for more )

Has anyone ever commented on your work ethic, your desire and ability to work hard and well? (Or not.) Did you know that tendency is often referred to as the Protestant work ethic? It is only one of the subtle yet far-reaching ways Christianity has impacted this country and the world; having its origin in scripture, influencing our expectations of personal opportunity and responsibility. Puritan believers exemplified this concept in that they taught that a man had a sacred responsibility to do his best, working hard in all he did; not just for profit, although there was…  ( Click for more )

Two scantily clad women with wild hair were pictured some time ago peering out from behind boulders with the bold, black caption underneath reading, Caged Animals. They and a number of others had been chosen to participate in an exhibit at the London Zoo depicting “primitive” men and women – alongside other primates – as just one more animal in Earth’s menagerie.

The exhibit prompted giggles, stares and questions such as “Why are there people in there?” To which Polly Wills, spokeswoman for the zoo responded by saying, “Seeing…  ( Click for more )

God’s initial instructions to his newly-formed overseers of creation was for them to be fruitful and multiply, in part a natural consequence of their coming together in thought, word and deed; and in so doing provide order and stability as they subdued and ruled this new world in partnership with God. (Genesis 1:27,28)

God’s intent for the church – as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:32) – is multiplication through fruit-bearing as well, Jesus declaring that by the deeds a life of commitment and faithfulness produces, we will become recognizable…  ( Click for more )

The self-proclaimed forces for social change, led by the likes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – who recently swore off marriage on the Ellen DeGeneres show until “everyone in this country has the right to marry” – often speak to the “plight” of gay and lesbian lovers who are denied the “privilege” of marriage in many parts of the country. In addressing this issue, we might start by briefly examining the time-tested definition of marriage and the people who engage in it. (Not saying marriage is always practiced as it should…  ( Click for more )

Robert Wright asserts in his book, ‘What Does Science Tell Us About God’, that new discoveries in physics, cosmology and biology make the universe more explainable as well as revealing it to be vastly more intricate than previously thought. The question then being: Does this undermine religious faith or reinforce it? The controversial aspects of this debate represented by two divergent comments contained in his research. One being, “…the works of modern science, taken one by one, seem enough to dampen a person’s hopes for higher meaning.”…  ( 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. (Even if you can ever figure out what they really are.), 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…  ( Click for more )

Due to a problem with posting this article a couple of weeks ago, part 2 was posted first. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to read part one for a fuller understanding. Thank you for your patience.

When “the foundations” are referenced in scripture as being moved, shaken or destroyed, it’s usually in regard to a natural disaster or punishment from on high. But in this instance, oppressors and wicked men are referred to, inferring that the destroyed foundations are David’s sense of well-being and the comfort or security…  ( Click for more )