Dean William R. Inge is credited with saying, âA good government remains the greatest of human blessings, and no nation has ever enjoyed it.â Just to clarify, the human blessings he refers to are of human origin and therefore flawed. Flawed people devise flawed governments that we, the citizenry, are the beneficiaries thereof. What should be our attitude and posture toward the civil authorities that occupy public office above us? Only about 20% of Americans, according to Pew Research Center, … [Read more...] about God’s Governmental Requirement
God
Marriage, a Safe Haven
God instituted marriage and the family for procreation to teach us about how He lives. He wants mankind to know what motivates Him, what His purpose is for mankind, and how His nature and character developed in human beings would give families peaceful relationships. If mankind functioned in marriage the way God intended, this world would be a vastly different place. The dysfunctional families that are increasingly the norm would seldom exist. However today we see the removal of any … [Read more...] about Marriage, a Safe Haven
Ways to Measure Spiritual Growth
As followers of God, we have chosen to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. There are two main ways for us to measure our spiritual growth â motivation and action. Motivation is the internal desire to grow, to change, to accept Godâs perspectives and motivations in all aspects of our lives. Action is a literal external behavioral change - the evidence of that motivation. It is a change that can be perceived and observed in our daily lives. All motivation and actions are … [Read more...] about Ways to Measure Spiritual Growth
Misunderstood Authority?
The subject of authority is a difficult one because of the many negative applications we see around us. Itâs primary association with power, clashes with the natural human desire for autonomy. In our present day, the subject of authority is often confused with authoritarianism and the abuse of power, which creates a negative perception. Authority is a vital ingredient for godly living, and it is therefore important for us to be clear minded about what it is and what it is not. … [Read more...] about Misunderstood Authority?
The Proverb 31 Woman
The Proverbs 31 woman is powerful, dynamic, wise, enterprising, hardworking, hospitable, gracious, affectionate and capable. She is a magnetic character. She is in every way her husbandâs equal, with the same potential to be a member of the God family. She will have glory, power and capacity. She obeys God in the role in which He placed her. She deploys all her creative power, all her capability as a help suitable for her husband and children (Proverbs 31:10-31). Thatâs what Christ does for God … [Read more...] about The Proverb 31 Woman
The Purpose of the Church
Humanity has lost the story that connects us all. There is a lot of noise, but no context to give life meaning. So, we drift through life without a true meaningful purpose â a story that connects us to something bigger than we are. Aristotle observed, âWhen the storytelling in a culture goes bad, the result is decadence.â We see all around us the result of the collapse of mankindâs story. We have tried to replace it with small, narcissistic stories that have no lasting impact. It has turned us … [Read more...] about The Purpose of the Church
The Path From Belief to Conviction
The word âconvictionâ is a powerful word in our language. It conjures up ideas of not only a guilty verdict from a courtroom setting, but also a solid or firmly held belief, as in the idea that people should be convicted of what they believe. Vocabulary.com explains this word: âA conviction is something certain: a judgment of guilty in court and a strong belief are both convictions. In the legal world, when a judge or jury convicts someone of a crime â finding them guilty â … [Read more...] about The Path From Belief to Conviction