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Remember the Gospel is GOOD News
Back in 1983, I was a junior in high school, and my eclectic musical tastes ranged from hard rock to the likes of Anne Murray's "A Little Good News." This song really spoke to my heart in so many ways because even at the ripe old age of seventeen, listening to the news of foreign wars, the woes of a bad economy, the uptick of robberies, gun crime, and senseless violence--just the constant barrage of bad reports--left me feeling tense and quite dismal. I longed for good news, like Anne mentions, about things like county fairs, children playing, and people truly caring. I guess most good news is not as…
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I Am Not Ashamed
Oh, speak to me not Of a higher being-- Mine has a name, It is Jesus, my King. An unnamed man did not die on the cross Or breathe his last at such high cost. He had a name unlike any other Force, or being, or "neutral" power. An unnamed man did not rise from the dead After they mocked while He suffered and bled... To raise us to Heaven and with Him reign As sons and daughters of the King again!
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Let Love Lead
Many years ago, I heard a sermon given by a wise pastor who said that when you are deciding whether or not to do something, and you feel pushed and anxious about it, that this is not from the Lord. His prompts are more like a draft horse pulling a plow. His powerful love leads us. After all, the Bible says that, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." (Romans 8:14) The Greek word for led used here is agō, which means to lead out or guide.
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Are Christians Supposed to Make the World a Better Place?
I've often heard people, well-meaning believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, say things like: "We need to make a difference in our world, in our country, in our community, and in our homes." Or, "Let's get out there and change the world." Should we? Or do we, ever so subtly, even by something seemingly good, get sidetracked from our vocation as Christians? I often have felt a check in my spirit when I hear things like this. Up until maybe 4 or so years ago, statements like this confused and weighted me down. I would ask the Lord, "What do you want me to do? Should I start a charity…
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In Memory of My Sister
I am going to miss Jodi. I got to know her pretty well over the years. She even adopted me as her sister. I am going to miss Jodi. I got to know her pretty well over the years. She even adopted me as her sister. She’d start her text messages with her usual, bubbly, “Heya Sis!” Her last text to me was about how she made split pea soup and wanted Randy and I to have some, and that she’d leave a container of it outside her patio door in Jack’s kitty condo. My only comment to her was, “Just don’t leave it in his litter box,” to which…
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“Can’t Tip Someone Who Doesn’t Love Jesus.” Check, Please!
Neo-Nazis. Antifa. The Right. The Left. The Liberals. The Conservatives. Muslims. Blacks. Gays. I can feel the hate. What is fake news, and what is responsible journalism? Where is truth? Then I read the above note quoted in my title, scribbled on a restaurant bill to a lesbian waitress, and my first thought was: have Christians actually forgot that their goal in life is to help lead others to Jesus, to WANT to see them go to heaven? I've read quite a few comments posted in response to this, and many common-sense opinions offered. I wanted to add my own, but decided to pray about it first. I find that…
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Who is Your Enemy?
While it is always good to ask ourselves the question, "Who is my neighbor?," now is the time to ask ourselves, "Who is my enemy?" With all that is going on in the world today, I can’t help but think this quote is timely. In this country, we are a dynamic group of people with disparate viewpoints. Our weakness can be wanting to fight for those beliefs so strongly for our own particular group, that we forget who the true enemy is.
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Are You Looking for Purpose In Life?
Jesus' call is always a call to die to self...self-love, self-direction, self-fulfillment--self-anything--and live to God.
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A Humble Heart
Where can we find true humility these days? It seems that here in the United States--with all the political strife, disrespect for any and all human life, and dishonor given to God--humility has left the building.
