One take away we could observe from the recent U.S. mid-term elections is that character was a major factor. To clarify, there are two types of character. One is the way the world looks at character, and the other is from God’s point of view. We need to be clear about the difference.The world looks at character more in the realm of personality which means that character has no real boundaries. It is just the way someone is. The Britannica Dictionary defines character as: The way someone thinks, … [Read more...] about True Character
Character
Healthy Attitudes
I want to look at the concept of attitude and see just what kind of potent force it is. An attitude is a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that reveals one’s disposition, opinion, and overall mindset. One’s attitude is a mental disposition. How we are inside. Our approach to life. It’s the way we view the world in general terms and how we look at other individuals. A good attitude means different things in different circumstances. Generally, it signifies an approach … [Read more...] about Healthy Attitudes
The Purpose of Righteousness
Even within Christian churches that look fairly homogeneous doctrinally-speaking, we can find diverse attitudes. For example, there are currents of more liberal or fundamentalist approaches to religious practice. One such current that can be problematic within churches is self-rightness. I don’t mean the arrogant presumption that one is perfect. I mean the tendency to let “righteousness” become an idol. It’s an easy trap for any of us to fall into so we need to examine our motives … [Read more...] about The Purpose of Righteousness
The True Nature of God’s Governance
As followers of Christ, we need to understand the true nature of God's governance within the God Family and to practice it correctly. We also need to define and develop an understanding of how God intends His 'shepherds' to nurture and feed Christ’s flock in accord with the spiritual nature of governance (1 Peter 5:1–4). The Apostle Peter, to whom Jesus said, “tend and feed my sheep,” teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5). Peter’s instruction reminds us … [Read more...] about The True Nature of God’s Governance
The Knowledge of “Good”
We live in an environment of rapidly changing standards. One such standard is the mental conditioning that has changed what is considered “good”. In our vocabulary, good is a positive quality having positive or desirable qualities, in excellent condition, superior to average, satisfactory. All these things qualify “good” as we understand it. The Pew Research Center, a very noted research center, released some information on Facts About Love and Marriage in America: The … [Read more...] about The Knowledge of “Good”
Spiritual Equilibrium
It’s difficult to maintain our spiritual equilibrium in the moral and ethical chaos of the world we live in. As followers of Christ, we are to have balanced relationships with those in the world. Jesus said that we are to be in the world but not be of the world. We’re to live life as a positive example, not allowing the world to return to mold or shape us negatively. We are not to jump head-first into the world’s value systems; however, we are not to withdraw into isolation … [Read more...] about Spiritual Equilibrium
Horses Show How to Be at Rest with God
There is a technique in horse breaking, or horse gentling called "joining up". It illuminates God’s nature and shows us how we can obtain rest through an intimate relationship with God. Horses are special creatures to some of us; they are terrifying to others. They are big and magnificent. Imagine you’ve been given the responsibility to get a green horse, unbroken or an inexperienced animal loaded onto a trailer. The horse rears back and snaps its halter. … [Read more...] about Horses Show How to Be at Rest with God