Nothing like a good theological fight to start our weekend. And Calvinism vs. Arminianism is the protestant version of Joe Frazier vs. Muhammed Ali. Which theology wins? This verse, more than any other verse in the Bible, defines the contestants. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, […]
Calvinism vs. Arminianism Read More »
Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear (Matthew 13:16, ESV). I read a sermon once with this quote, “Stop seeking mental health in the mirror of self-analysis, but instead drink in the remedies of God in nature.” Not to demean counseling, but too many of us spend time in
Creation Mindfulness for Mental Health Read More »
Acts chapters 13 and 14 record the first missionary journey in the history of Christianity. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of believers, since the time of the Apostle Paul, have also received and heeded calls to take the Gospel to the nations. But what can we learn from this first mission trip? Saul Was
Saul/Paul’s First Missionary Journey Read More »
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48, ESV). Jesus had a way of saying things that befuddled believers and theologians from the moment He said them. Can you imagine what the original apostles thought when Jesus told them to be perfect? Yet, that’s what Jesus told the apostles, and it’s also
We Should Be Perfect! Read More »
There is a time to arise and build. Something broken, a relationship ruined, a business bankrupted, or a sudden death. It’s good to take the time to grieve and evaluate. But one day, you will wake up in the morning and think. . . I must move on! The Book of Nehemiah gives great advice
The OG on the Book of Nehemiah ~ Part 5 Read More »
I’m almost finished writing about all the psalms for “Psalms On Saturday,” but I’ve been avoiding Psalm 88. Why? It’s a psalm of trouble, sickness, defeat, and the betrayal of friends — yes, a psalm about a lifetime of trouble, sickness, defeat, and the betrayal of friends. We would think that such a desultory psalm
Psalms On Saturday ~ Psalm 88 Read More »
C. S. Lewis writes. . . There exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So, we must strive very hard, by the grace of God, to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it. An insightful and
The Purpose of the Church and The Buckeyes! Read More »
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1, NLT). When I first started reading verse one, comparing love to a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, I thought, “How odd.” Of all Shakespeare’s sonnets,
Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 13 Read More »
Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire (1 Peter 1:7a, CEV). Fire. A word used in the Bible to describe trials. All followers of Jesus will experience their faith tested by fire. There’s also literal fire — your house burns! The testing of faith by fire and the testing
Three Lessons from a House Fire! Read More »
If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32, ESV). As disciples, we must tell the truth. Jesus taught that telling the truth would set us free, but often, we say what’s expedient, perhaps just a white lie, to avoid conflict or offending.
The Sin of Expediency Read More »