Subscription Lists

So said Tertullian, a renowned African/Greek theologian of the early church, writing around 200 A.D. (Thomas Jefferson saying something similar in his assessment of what would keep American democracy on track.) The early church’s perception being that suffering – up to and including dying – for……  ( Click for more )

Some of you are on your own for the first time in your lives while others have been there for a while; 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.……  ( 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……  ( 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……  ( 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.”……  ( Click for more )

Last week we began looking at what many believe to be five essential practices for walking as Jesus walked. What’s so important about them is that they lead us to be what we say we believe, practicing our faith as well as professing it. We previously looked at 1. Worship, 2. The study of scripture, 3.……  ( Click for more )

In his book, The Walk1, Adam Hamilton examines five essential disciplines practiced by people of note in scripture and by many more throughout roughly 2000 years of church history. 1. Worship, including daily prayer. 2. The study of God’s word. 3. Serving others. 4. Giving generously. 5. Witnessing……  ( 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……  ( Click for more )

Although some would disagree, I sometimes find it difficult to fault the Jews for not recognizing their Messiah in Jesus Christ. After all, whtwhat we now consider obvious scripture referencing a saving/suffering Messiah – as opposed to a politically successful, militarily triumphant one – are spread……  ( Click for more )

“…for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Heb. 13:2 Have you ever seriously considered that possibility? Abraham comes immediately to mind as having done so (Gen. 18:1-33), one of his visitors possibly being the Lord God himself. Abraham’s nephew Lot……  ( 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……  ( Click for more )

Pastor Nathan Wilson believes so, having written an op-ed article for the Indianapolis Star explaining how. 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……  ( Click for more )

I realize this scripture speaks primarily to salvation, but could it not address other areas of need as well? The confidence we feel originates in God’s blessing and provision for our afterlife certainly, but likewise promises his presence and provision while we abide here on earth; offering us mercy and……  ( 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 with either of the major……  ( 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,……  ( 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……  ( Click for more )

I thought faith did it all? Regarding salvation, it does, but in consequence of grace being extended to us, scripture admonishes us to add certain aspects of graciousness to our lives; none more specifically than Peter’s Epistle. In encouraging us to escape the corruption of the world by participating in the……  ( Click for more )

My mom died several years ago, enduring two weeks of intense pain and suffering beforehand. It was an extremely difficult time for my family 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……  ( Click for more )

In attempting to answer the questions posed in last week’s first installment of, “…the battle is the Lord’s,…” I Sam. 17:47; we examined the lives of several Old Testament men who faced tremendous obstacles yet overcame them all – David, Noah and Gideon. Being baffled, confused……  ( Click for more )

Have you ever been confused by 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……  ( Click for more )

One of the expectations God had of his newly-formed overseers of creation was for them to be fruitful and multiply like the rest of the inhabitants of earth (Gen. 1:22 & 28), 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……  ( Click for more )

Last week we looked at the possibility of using Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church to, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong.”; as part of a Christian standard of living. Some may see these attributes as aggressive, even confrontational, though Paul sought to……  ( Click for more )

In speaking of Winston Churchill’s influence over his British countrymen, America and indeed the world during WWII, George Bernard Shaw noted, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.” (People with strong personalities……  ( 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……  ( Click for more )