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!!”Right Side Up!
We often hear people say they want to make a difference in the world. Most who say that usually have a motivation toward a positive difference even though their idea of change may not result in a positive difference. Many people have a world view based on an incorrect assumption rooted in falsehood. They operate on ideas that are counter to the truth.
Continue reading “Right Side Up!”Enemy Territory
I know most of us have traveled to a strange place and after a few days the surroundings became oddly familiar to us. As humans, we are very adaptive to new environments and situations. I believe God has wired us this way. Some of us are more adaptive than others, yet we all have some capacity for this adaptive nature. I have unpacked my bags and made myself at home in many different situations.
Continue reading “Enemy Territory”Once Upon a Time…
Many children’s stories opened up with the phrase, “Once upon a time…”. When I was a child, the old timers started many of their stories with, “When I was a boy…”. It was the men in Liberty overalls form of “Once upon a time…” Now, I am probably labeled an old timer by most even though I don’t wear overalls.
Continue reading “Once Upon a Time…”Some Thoughts About The Journey
I just received my fourth passport in the mail, and it sparked a little reflection. Most of you know that passports are valid for ten years. I received my first passport in 1991 and have kept them current since then. My new slick and shiny passport will expire in 2031 and I will be 76 years old. Hence the reflection…
Continue reading “Some Thoughts About The Journey”Root Causes
Philosophers, sociologists, theologians, and politicians have had their turn at explaining why we have problems and how to fix them. It is ironic that simultaneously some want to blame one problem on root causes while avoiding the root causes of others. Many problems have a beginning with some standard that was either twisted, ignored, or outright transgressed.
Continue reading “Root Causes”Simple Pleasures
Some folks just don’t know how to be happy! They chase a dream that is just beyond their grasp and are blind to the blessings in their hand.
Continue reading “Simple Pleasures”Overcoming Evil
A lingering question is asked these days given the situation we see in our world, “What can we do?” It is an earthly question with a spiritual answer. Much of what people see as a cultural shift, political upheaval, or religious persecution is a spiritual manifestation.
Continue reading “Overcoming Evil”The Broken Among the Broken
My mother grew up during the Great Depression in a sharecropper’s family. I remember her saying that she did not think of herself as being poor because just about everyone she knew was in the same situation.
We live in a very broken world, but we have adjusted our eyes to the darkness and call it normal.
Continue reading “The Broken Among the Broken”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”
