#138 – The Power of the Jab
I’ve seen a lot of controversy but nothing with the power to separate a nation, friends, churches and families like the jab does. Hell celebrates. It has taken us to new levels of throwing others into broad categories of supposedly irrational beliefs that assumedly lead to actions with dire consequences. Opposing high stakes viewpoints held…
Read More#137 – What If – – ?
Is it possible that events leading up to Jesus’ return are as different from what many expect, as His first arrival was different from what the Jews expected? Could our expectation of escaping pain, cause us to miss seeing God’s sovereign plan and redemptive action today? What if He is working toward something far grander…
Read More#136 – “Maybe We Should Just Wait and See”
I was flying a 1940’s Douglas DC-3 aircraft from Arizona to Pennsylvania when my co-pilot said that smoke was coming from the right engine. The worn-out engines were on the airplane as it sat in the desert for years before we bought it, so I was alert to possible troubles. My options were to take…
Read More#135 – When Will Nothing Else Matter?
What does it take to bring one to the place where nothing matters more than knowing Jesus? I’m wondering what matters to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan who are being hunted down today because of their faith. They must abandon everything to save their life, and then many must give up their life in…
Read More#134 – Foreshadows of Despotism
Despotism: “oppressive absolute power and authority exerted by government.” (Merriam-Webster.) THE DARK SIDEAmerica is facing a kind of darkness that we never imagined possible. Sure, there was Germany’s Hitler, China’s Mao Zedong and others through history – – but this is the United States of America. “Christian America.” Those things don’t happen here. Except that…
Read More#133 – The Delusional Church
A delusion for American Christians is our confidence that our institutional church truly represents the Body of Christ, and that the life it advocates is truly the life of the Kingdom of God. Both the pulpit and the pew believe those convenient lies. There are exceptions to that but we don’t often see them. This…
Read More#132 – The Faith of Our Hebrews 11 Heroes
Here are some keys to the life of those heroes of faith. First was their view of God. They believed that He could and would do what He said He would do. Period! Their faith was rooted in the character and power of God Himself, and it led to obedience. How about us? Secondly, they…
Read More#131 – Real Faith
Let’s be honest – – except for “Trusting Jesus” for our salvation we most often use “faith” to speak of “believing God” for something we want for ourselves, here and now. Maybe healing, or a better job, a new car, money to pay bills, a life partner or something else earthly and temporal. I don’t…
Read More#130 – Why Not Us?
Don’t we view the God of the Old Testament as a strict disciplinarian who sent his children into captivity when they flagrantly disobeyed him – – but then act as though the God of the New Testament is a permissive parent who lets his kids do as they please? But what if it’s the same…
Read More#129 – I’m Laying Down that Fight
I respect those who will continue to fight for our constitutional rights and godly political systems (Thank you!) but feel that my specific calling now is otherwise. I must focus on what it means for us to be Jesus’ disciples in this journey, including how “the church” in America can become more the Church that…
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