Telling the future has been tempting since the beginning of time. There are signs of the seasons that can be reliable. Farmers and seafarers have used these signs to good effect. Did you listen to the weather report today? Looked it up on your phone? I suppose they’re getting more accurate as we go along […]
Like your witness, your worship, always shows. Extending grace to an undeserved person? That’s worship. Spending all your money at the casino? That’s worship of another kind. Helping marginalized people? That’s worship. Interested in pornography? That’s another type of worship too. “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship […]
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 I’m glad when I am in a worship meeting and the opportunity is given for people to deepen their relationship with God. Where I come from it is known as the “invitation.” Generally, it follows the sermon and comes before the last song. Can this […]
Years ago, we were confronted with: “God is dead.” While it’s not true, it represented a strong stream of thinking in our culture. Should we be surprised that the cover of Time Magazine April 3, 2017, which I have not read, asks the question,”Is truth dead?” I see it as a natural out flow from […]
In any circle of management, ministry, or teamwork, we need decisive leadership. I recall one of my mentors saying, “I might not always be right, but I’m always decisive.” I’d follow him most anywhere. The truth is, indecisive leadership isn’t always right either, but particularly hard to follow. America, as always is in need of […]
Fake news is in the news…and it ought to be. It’s wearisome to sort out the news from historic news organizations that we believed in our naiveté was right on and truthful. Often in conflict with political opinion, we looked for the reality among us…until…it occurred that we might be getting filtered messages from another […]
All of us should aspire to be people of integrity. We stand for what is good and right and we keep our word. Jesus has something to say on this and on God’s position on the matter. Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV) 28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to […]
This is a curious, but common expression. The question is all about authority. We understand the place of authority in our culture and, for the most part, respect it. When questioned on this subject, religious leaders thought they could trap Him and spoil His favor among the people. It may even be that some were […]
It is most interesting that in two successive passages, Jesus is asking the same question. This time it is most personal and very important. Matthew 20:29-34 (NIV) 29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus […]
There is common conversation from politicians who are speaking about the upper 1% of wealthy in America. These are actually real people with extraordinary wealth. Here in the Scriptures, one of these come to Jesus with a hope to follow Him. It doesn’t end well, but Jesus never negates the possibility for all to follow […]
