"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). The word “vision” in this scripture is used in a prophetic sense, a revealed understanding of a future reality. It says that if we lack a purpose and a clear direction of where we are going and how to get there, we are not going to "get there". Knowing where we are going and our purpose, our intent, is extremely important. God gives humanity a purpose, a destination, and He gives us a way to get there. The Bible is a complete … [Read more...] about The Image of Jesus Christ
God's Plan
Agape Love
I would like to consider an approach to the fourth commandment, around the concept of Godly love, stemming from the Greek word “agape." Within religious communities, there are stark differences. Christians often reject the fourth commandment as it is stated in the Bible, whereas observant Jews often adhere to it with Pharisaical strictness. Yet God intended the Sabbath to be a blessing to humanity, a day of rest, a break from all the weekly responsibilities so we would remain connected to … [Read more...] about Agape Love
The Decline of the American Empire
Steve McCann takes us on a journey through American history by applying the causes that led to the decline and fall of ancient empires. He enumerates six stages that have precipitated the rise and the current decline of the American empire. If we don't learn from the past, it will likely repeat itself, this time in the American nation. Mr. McCann draws heavily from Sir John Glubb's essay on the Fate of Empires: "A cursory examination of history reveals that the United States is mired in … [Read more...] about The Decline of the American Empire
What Is the Kingdom of God?
What is the Kingdom of God? I don’t think we can overstate the importance of the answer to the question. There are so many theories out there about different systems of belief including different definitions of the Kingdom of God. We need to think about the end result of what those beliefs produce and about what the implications of their version of reality are. The idea of the Kingdom of God was clearly central to Christ’s ministry making it a fundamental premise of our hope, of our purpose, … [Read more...] about What Is the Kingdom of God?
Let the Oppressed Go Free
We are all different. But what I find very, very difficult to deal with is man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. We are not caring about or thinking about the effect our behavior is having on other people, whether individually or nationally. For many people on this earth today, human life has very little value. Solomon had something to say about the state of oppression on the earth: “Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The … [Read more...] about Let the Oppressed Go Free
The Prophetic Return of Christ
Our lives consist of and are measured by pivotal events and experiences that change our direction and our behavior. They can change our outlook on life. i Throughout history God has placed pivotal events upon humanity to shake us from the paradigms which allow us to justify our behavior, to define for ourselves what is good and evil. Some have developed a form of godliness but, whether knowingly or unknowingly, deny the power and purpose of God as their Creator and Sustainer. The Bible … [Read more...] about The Prophetic Return of Christ
Politics During Jesus’ Time
How should we respond to the politics that invade our daily lives in the news, workplace, school and from so many social media platforms? According to Wikipedia which often conveys modern thought regarding a subject: “Politics (from the Greek word, politiká, meaning 'affairs of the cities') is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of resources." This is a well-thought-out … [Read more...] about Politics During Jesus’ Time