People are fickle. Politicians worry about what the polls say. Internet gurus worry about clicks. Media folks look at the ratings. Churches count the heads.
Continue reading “What Gets Heaven’s Attention?”Pressing Forward
We have dipped our toes into the New Year and have the slate our future before us. I encourage you to look up and look forward. God has something good for you. Every day is a gift from God.
Life is difficult. Everyone deals with something. Yes, some folks have had it better than others, but no one leaves this earth without a scar. So, the heart of my remarks is not to belittle your difficulties but to encourage you move forward in spite of them. Some of life’s greatest victories were born out of great tragedies.
Continue reading “Pressing Forward”Nothing But the Truth
We live in a time when technology puts mountains of information literally at our fingertips. I hope you know that information does not equal truth. We even have a catchphrase nowadays called misinformation.
One of the ten commandments is “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NKJV). We often paraphrase this as, “Thou shalt not lie.” God hates a lie and will hold us accountable for lying as evidenced by scripture, “…and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8b NKJV). It is evident that God does not like lying.
Continue reading “Nothing But the Truth”Dirty Old Man
God made man from dirt. He did not make a mud pie; He made a man. He created a body from the soil. Before God breathed life into Adam, the body in essence was a corpse. A human body without life is a corpse. We rightly consider resurrection as a miracle from God. The first man was brought to life just as the Second Adam (Jesus the Messiah) was brought back to life through the lifegiving power of God. God raised Adam from the dirt.
Continue reading “Dirty Old Man”What Are They Thinking?
Do you ever wonder that some people gather in a room and begin their meeting with this phrase, “Let’s try to come up with the worst idea possible!” The meeting progresses and many ideas are put forth. Then they arrive at a consensus of the worst idea and they all with wholehearted glee exclaim, “Yes, let’s do that!”
Continue reading “What Are They Thinking?”From Death to Life
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”The “Threes” of Living
Many of us have had the sensation of being underwater and needing air. In that situation, seconds are like eternity, and we will fight and claw to get a breath of air. There are very few people who can “hold their breath” for even a minute.
There is a common saying based on threes when it comes to survival or living. Most of these are not original with me and I am not sure who said any first. “Our life is in jeopardy if we have three minutes without oxygen, three hours of extreme exposure, three days without water, and three weeks without food.” The three common basics of living are food, water, and shelter (air being a given).
Continue reading “The “Threes” of Living”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!!”
