Life is a strange phenomenon. Being raised on a small farm, I learned early about life and death. As a small boy, I could easily discern if a puppy or baby pig was sleeping or dead. Later, I learned to scratch the bark of a twig with my thumbnail to see if the cambium layer (inner bark) was alive (light green) or dead (brown).
Continue reading “From Death to Life”Radical
A true radical probably doesn’t think himself a radical. Radicalism in some respects may be a personal perspective. Those who have a position that is diametrically opposite than another may consider the other person a radical and vice versa.
Continue reading “Radical”If I Could Ask God Three Questions
Going back to when I was a young man, there are three questions I would want to ask God. Perhaps they may be yours as well. God, why am I here? God, what do You want me to do? God, how can I make a difference in this world?
Today with six decades and counting, please humor this old man and give me a little latitude to answer as if God were answering the questions for you and me.
Continue reading “If I Could Ask God Three Questions”No More Options!!
Jesus said some difficult things. One of the more difficult statements He made to His followers was for them to have life it would be necessary for them to eat His flesh and to drink His blood (see John 6:53-57). Many of His followers stopped following Him after that teaching. Jesus asked His twelve apostles, “Do you also want to go away” (John 6:67 NKJV)?
Continue reading “No More Options!!”Journey Update: March 2021
One of my favorite mission scriptures is Mark 16:15 (NKJV) where Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” He left no place untouched and left no one out—His Gospel is to all the world and to every person. The word “creature” in this scripture is not a demeaning term but speaks to the original formation of the being. The world divides men into races, politics, football teams, classes, etc., but God sees all people as the original formation who were created to be in a personal relationship with Himself.
Continue reading “Journey Update: March 2021”Isaac and Jesus
There are some striking similarities in the spiritual implications of Isaac and Jesus. I am sure their personalities were very different. Jesus, the Son of God taking his brief journey on earth was confident of His mission given by His Heavenly Father. Isaac on the other hand does not come across as the spiritual man of faith like his father Abraham, yet he was a link in the eternal blessing culminating in the Messiah, Jesus.
So let’s look at the comparison between Isaac and Jesus:
Joseph and Jesus
There are many examples of foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament. The life of Joseph contained in the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50) is one of my favorites with many correlations to Jesus. Here are some examples with accompanying scriptures.
Don’t Bargain with God
More than likely, we all have lied or committed “false witness” in the recent past. What am I talking about? You know all those “terms of agreement” boxes you have checked and signed-off-on; those thousand-word, small print, legal “gobbly goop” things that no one ever reads yet you confirmed as read and understood by initialing. I have done it too! I am not making a case for reading all of that but to get you think about letting your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’
The Blessed, Look Like This!!
There have been thousands of books written about being successful, rich, happy, fulfilled, and the list seems to never end. Everyone seems to be looking for that formula of life that will bring the blessings of peace and joy.
Jesus began a sermon with some verses we call the Beatitudes (Blessings). It is not a formula but a lifestyle likened unto Jesus. For the follower of Jesus, these are not optional nuggets of wisdom but the principles for our lives as we journey with Jesus.
Lessons from the Mother of Jesus
Young Mary was from an obscure place and from a common family, yet God had a plan for her life that would be filled with greatness and personal pain. Many people are looking for significance in life and often try to find it in the wrong place and in the wrong way.