Our world is continually consumed with trying to find “today’s answer” to living the ever unattainable utopian lifestyle:
Sometimes telling/asking someone to change their bad habit to a good habit is simply not enough motive. People want facts/explanations as to why a change is considered necessary. Perhaps that is why the bad habit of texting OMG, spewing Oh My G**! or vomiting J**** C****! is not always understood as wrong. When using those names as exclamations, many do not understand why they are breaking the third commandment. Continue reading
The new church was quick to expand after Jesus Christ resurrected. His new followers, called Christians, had the mission of spreading the Good News: Jesus has authority over death! Their greeting to each other reflected this truth.
When two Christians would meet, one would say: “He is risen.” And the other would respond with: “He is risen, indeed!” Today, that exchange is often carried out by pastor and congregation in church services throughout the world. What a beautiful public acknowledgment: we believe in the hope He promised us. Continue reading
While Jesus, the Son of God, was out teaching the Jewish people about love, a rebel named Barabbas lead a group of political insurgents in a rebellion against Rome. Barabbas was a murderer who hated paying taxes to Rome and was aggressively trying to end all Roman authority. His group of insurrectionists started an uprising and because of this they were thrown into prison. Continue reading
A friend of mine and co-blogger, Laura Martin, published her book Positively Powerless – How a Forgotten Movement Undermined Christianity, WestBow Press. She was gracious enough to provide me with a copy to enjoy and write a review. Her topic is how the movement of positive thinking has “dethroned [Christ] and the self was made sovereign, rewiring our minds and weakening our faith.” Continue reading
The Son of God spent three years in His earthly ministry. During that time Jesus instructed and demonstrated His love to Israel. Jesus never turned His back on anyone. This includes people the Israelites themselves looked down upon. The same people the Pharisees, a highly respected religious group, chose to disregard as petty, low-life or worthless. Continue reading
The Apostle Matthew was Jewish, a former tax collector by trade. Tax collectors were despised for being cheats. Sitting in their tax booths while working for Rome, they extorted monies from the locals. Any money they could collect that was over and above what Roman government required, was kept for themselves. One would realize this selfish advantage leads them to be concise and detailed in their record keeping. Continue reading
I am less and He is more. What a simple statement to share. However, if you want to understand the meaning behind this statement, it gets complex. Not complex like a mathematical equation that requires an Einstein to understand it. No, it’s complex because the statement encompasses a vast array of explanations. But let me simplify it. Continue reading
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:4-6 Continue reading
Lift Him Up 