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In asking that question last week, we looked to the following verse in Psalm 11:4 to find direction and encouragement in the fact that even when things are at their worst – by our definition – God still sits on His throne and is still in control. From there we looked at a number of scriptural admonishments for us to be brave and courageous, single-minded in our observance of God’s will and faithful to His word. Such as Paul’s exhortation for us to, “...stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because…  ( Click for more )

My mom recently died after two weeks of intense pain and suffering. It was an extremely difficult time for us all as we stood around her bedside, making decisions for her we were ill-prepared to make and watching her waste away a little each day. Which did not cause us to doubt the existence of God so much as to question the timeliness of His answers to some of our prayers.

This scenario is certainly not unique to me and mine, as members of my home church have been afflicted with numerous difficulties this past year as well; including serious accidents and…  ( Click for more )

It’s physically impossible to read everything dealing with Christian thought but I do like to check out those things which claims to explain or challenge the Christian view of the world. Over the past several years TIME magazine has posed some pretty profound questions for the religious and irreligious alike; such as How Did Life Begin?,1 dealing with the age of the universe and how it was “created” or formed. Which naturally leads to questions as to the fate of the universe2 and how it will end?3 Alongside these intriguing questions then is the basic one…  ( Click for more )

Paul’s preaching and prayer-life often dealt with two themes, love and fruitfulness. The love of God, our corresponding love of Him, and love for our fellowmen having a place of prominence in his understanding of the gospel. But it wasn’t mere sentiment, rather the deep abiding love of agape; the outreaching expression of the whole person in sacrificial service. An all-encompassing love patterned after God’s love of his creation, who did not merely feel sentimental about the world or lust for a self-satisfying relationship with it; but a heart-felt love…  ( Click for more )

Last week’s article dealt with the idea of properly understanding who we are in relation to God and what impact that can and should have on our lives; now let’s look at some Biblical examples to help us realize our own vision.

Abraham was told to leave his family, home, business and friends; going to an unknown land where he would live in tents wandering the wilderness. A purifying, reshaping experience for this founding father of a nation and religion.

Moses escaped Egypt through his own wilderness, finding a family there and living as a…  ( Click for more )

What is vision? Could it be more than the ability to see? Might it be a mental picture, an image of how something ought to be? Or possibly the ability to perceive something not visible – yet? Our own personal vision is at times dependent upon what we are looking at or for; what we want to see and understand. The scripture quoted above possibly being rendered – ‘Where there is no standard (of living) or purpose (for living), the people perish.’ Or even, ‘Where there is no revelation, the people lack restraint – from evil, and…  ( Click for more )

Suffering is not a topic we like to discuss, unless it’s to question why we’re experiencing it. However, many Christians have emphatically embraced suffering brought on by illness, old age and persecution, associating it with Christ’s suffering on the cross in providing for our salvation. In fact, Peter characterized suffering as part of our call to follow Christ. “To this you were called,...” he says, “...because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow…” 1 Peter 2:21 (See also John 13:15) …  ( Click for more )

Some of you are on your own for the first time in your lives while others have been there for awhile; but we all have to deal with making good decisions and choosing the right path. And while the prospect of making up your own mind and choosing your own way is exciting, it isn’t always as easy as it appears. Temptation taking the form of tests, trials, or enticements that cause you to consider doing or wanting what is wrong, forbidden or hurtful. The fact that sin can be made to appear attractive – disguising its real consequences – making it difficult…  ( Click for more )

What do thoughts of spring bring to mind? Bunnies, eggs, new clothes, green grass, flowers, an egg hunt, toys, candy – a too-early Sunrise Service, Jesus crucified yet risen? Hopefully the latter is prominent on your list, because if it weren’t for Jesus there would be no reason to celebrate. Unbeknownst to some, the secular side of Easter – like Christmas – can trace some of it’s celebratory elements to paganism. Even the name, Eastre, is Anglo-Saxon; representing a Teutonic goddess of fertility whose festival was likewise held during…  ( Click for more )

Nothing is more important for Christians than knowing God’s will. It was central even to Jesus’ life. “I always do what pleases Him.”; he is quoted as saying. (John 8:29) Even when faced with the horrifying specter of the cross, he prayed, “...yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 It being only natural then that he taught his disciples to pray,”...your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”; as well. Matthew 6:10

And yet we generally find discerning God’s will to be extremely difficult.…  ( Click for more )

Two easily overlooked verses of scripture recently attracted my attention as a result of their potential to speak to our time and circumstances. That being characteristic of all scripture, these two seemingly out-of- the-way verses spoke more powerfully to me because of their unexpectedness. One comes from the Israeli history book of Chronicles which relates David’s predicament in having left the King’s court for the freedom and protection of the wilderness; somewhat inadvertently attracting other disillusioned, dis-affected men to his banner. Many of these men…  ( 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 wilderness…  ( Click for more )

While blood sacrifice offends our modern sensitivities, God demanded it of his people – then and, after a fashion, now – as a means of stressing sin's dire consequences in our lives. In any number of ways, sin blocks our approach to God; in the end maiming, destroying and killing us. And since, “...the life of a creature is in the blood,...” God decreed that, “I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar..." Leviticus 17:11

In speaking of Christ's new "testament", the author of Hebrews explains the…  ( Click for more )

Notorious English atheist Richard Dawkins has repeatedly questioned Christianity's positive impact on the world, referring to our beliefs as wishful thinking and superstition at best and a means of manipulating the gullible masses at worst. He is particularly put off by the "blood, blood, blood" of Judaism and Christianity, questioning the prominent place sacrifice has in both faith systems.

Many people, churched and unchurched alike, prefer to restrict their message exclusively to God's love, grace and mercy. I mean - come on now - who are we to…  ( Click for more )

Academic philosopher, atheistic author and anti-religion activist Sam Harris enthusiastically criticizes and energetically campaigns for at least the restriction if not the outright abolishment of all religion. He does give a nod to those of us who are not wise enough to see things as he does and persist in seeking answers from something or someone other than ourselves. Mr. Harris' fellow non-believers, such as the notorious English atheist/philosopher Richard Dawkins, concede that we believers may need – and possibly have the right – to meet together to…  ( 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 that a significant thing happened 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. One, a priest and physician; the other, a bishop of Terni; were beaten and beheaded along the Flaminian…  ( Click for more )

A growing consensus among many economists is that we have recently experienced not just a recession but a second “Great Contraction,” the first occurring in the years following the “Great Depression,” manifesting itself as an extended period of extremely slow growth in the economies of the world; hindering everyone’s ability to respond adequately to their own needs let alone anyone else’s.

As a result, deep budget cuts are being proposed that often target and hurt those least able to cope. From youth programs to education,…  ( Click for more )

Although this question was used by Cain to challenge God when He inquired as to his brother, Abel’s where-a-bouts (Genesis 4:9), it could go much deeper than that. Do we have a responsibility to care about and respond to our “brothers” who are in need? How do we define what help is and who deserves it? To what lengths should we be willing to go in ministry to others?

Some question whether Jesus marginalized the poor when he responded to a challenge concerning an admirer’s extravagant use of meager resources with, “The poor you will…  ( Click for more )

What’s it mean to adore someone? Adoration is defined as worshipping or paying homage by expressing great love and devotion, usually in response to love and devotion expressed to us. Or as John said, “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Explaining further that, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:20 We commonly say we love a thing or person, but rarely do we express adoration. We use that phrase most in church, and probably mean it…  ( Click for more )

Various articles in newspapers and magazines have recently attested to the fact that between 200,400 million people are suffering persecution through enduring discrimination when applying for jobs and promotions, being restricted in their freedom of movement and worship, losing their families and friendships upon conversion to Christianity, having property and savings confiscated by intolerant authorities and suffering martyrdom – often raped and tortured before being killed – for faithfulness to Christ.

In this country we have difficulty relating to…  ( Click for more )

The ability to find contentment even in the midst of hard times is a character trait that every Christian should and can possess. I’m not talking about being resigned to our fate and making no effort to improve our circumstances, but cultivating the ability to recognize what we legitimately can and can’t do. And that encompasses doing all we can, while accepting the fact that we have no direct control over any number of things that occur to and around us; realizing in the end, His will will be done.

In our rights-conscious, materialistic world, contentment can…  ( Click for more )

When Jesus started His earthly ministry, He called fishermen and challenged them to become “fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-18) The idea was that they were to be intentional and diligent in seeking the lost. (One difference being that fishermen catch living things that die, while fishers of men catch dying things and bring them to life.) To be an effective fisherman, or fisher of men, you need to know your surroundings and the characteristics of the fish you’re trying to catch. Weather, season, time of day, type of fish, water conditions, etc. all have an impact…  ( Click for more )

Some of you are away from home in a way never before experienced, others are enjoying a continuation and broadening of freedoms gained only in the last few years; let me encourage you to listen, learn but discern. The Bible encourages us to seek the counsel of many to assure success, saying “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 Even on the national level, strength in numbers is suggested. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” Proverbs 11:14 But is this an admonition…  ( Click for more )

“A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it’s stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men,...” Matthew 5:14-16

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…  ( Click for more )