Years ago, I worked as a Project Assistant for the Arizona Game and Fish Department on a trout habitat below Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. We arrived by boat near the diversion tunnels at the base of the dam, and as he jumped out, my boss wrapped the rope around a large rock. After working a while, I went back for supplies. Climbing over a rock outcropping, I panicked! The rope had come loose, and the current was rapidly pulling the boat downstream. I took a gigantic leap for it. … [Read more...] about Are You Anchored?
Repentance and Conversion
The Lying Epidemic
The position of being separated from God leaves a person very exposed to the forces of destruction. Through the prophet Isaiah, God states, âBut your iniquities have separated you from your GodâŠâ (Isaiah 59:2). Sin and God simply do not mix. Not that God doesnât give space for sin to be repented of â He does. But when sin is a way of life, certain characteristics develop as a result. One of the main destroying forces that quickly develops is lying. â⊠your lips have spoken lies ⊠they trust … [Read more...] about The Lying Epidemic
Getting Out of the Mess Weâre In
There is one thing we have in common with everyone else. And itâs not just something we have in common with people who are just like us or our friends, but itâs something we have in common with people we donât even knowâwith people very much unlike us. Make no mistake; we all have a mess in our lives. And even if youâre lucky enough to be between messes right now, youâre still just a decision away from creating a brand-new mess. We are all good at hiding our messes. In fact, we usually are … [Read more...] about Getting Out of the Mess Weâre In
Keep On a-Changinâ!
In Jeremiah 17:9 we read the following: âThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?â Does this refer to followers of Godâs also? It basically refers to those without God, but those who are making a diligent effort to truly follow God do not get away scot-free. It would probably be fair to say for those trying to follow Godâs way: âThe heart is still occasionally deceitful, and sometimes still not in harmony with Godâs laws. We must, with Godâs help, get … [Read more...] about Keep On a-Changinâ!
The Years Ahead
In the coming years, the members of Godâs Church will face increasing pressure against maintaining a firm position on Godâs truth. It will be a year of challenge and change. The change will be all around us and the challenge will be âholding fast.â We will have reason to be very mindful of the Apostle Paulâs admonition to âWatch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strongâ (1 Corinthians 16:13). We are not making predictions, but simply trying to watch. Watchfulness is a spiritual condition … [Read more...] about The Years Ahead
Following the Crowd
A common practice amongst government departments is that of lobbying. Lobbyists put pressure on individuals in government to persuade them to do something. We are also familiar with terms like group pressure, peer pressure and social pressure. The idea is to influence someone to conform to those who are doing the pressuring. This can, of course, be positive or negative. Scripture warns us to be wary of group think. âYou shall not follow a crowd to do evilâ (Exodus 23:2). It is rare in … [Read more...] about Following the Crowd
Counting the Cost
In a recent conversation, someone was reminiscing about their baptism and remembered that at the time they thought they had counted the cost but in the years that followed realized they hadnât known what that cost was going to involve. Most of us have gone through difficult times within the Church and faced situations and decisions that we could never have anticipated at the time we were baptized. Counting the cost is a principle stated by Christ during His ministry. âFor which of you, … [Read more...] about Counting the Cost