Can reading just one scripture save your neck? It sounds outlandish, but King Henry II of England, crowned in 1154, issued a decree that ultimately allowed certain English prisoners to do just that. King Henry issued a law that stated, “A person subject to the death penalty could appeal for the benefit of clergy.” A minister or cleric assigned to the prison would then be called in to stipulate a passage of the Bible that the prisoner would have to read aloud. The accepted passage came to be … [Read more...] about Conversion Is a Process
God's Plan
Are You Anchored?
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?
Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets
How do we know that the Feast of Trumpets is related to Christ’s second coming? In ancient Israel, a trumpet or shofar was blown for a variety of reasons, to call an assembly for a festival or to gather the people together in the presence of the Lord. When God descended onto Mount Sinai and gave Israel the law, trumpets were blown to announce the arrival of God’s presence. Trumpets were also sounded in alarm and to call troops to battle, at the coronation of a king, and to declare the Jubilee … [Read more...] about Anticipating the Feast of Trumpets
A Coin of Hope
In 2018, 70.8 million people were displaced by conflicts and violence worldwide, according to the UN Refugee Agency, up from a record 38 million in 2014. Despair has driven many to risk dangerous and life-threatening journeys just to find some type of relief. This is Satan’s world, and he is the author of confusion, depression, and negativity. But our Creator, the One True God, is positive! Depression is like a two-sided coin, so let’s flip it over and look at the other side, the coin of … [Read more...] about A Coin of Hope
3-D Sabbath
One of the pillars of our calling is the Sabbath day and failing to keep it can pave the way to losing our identity. Let’s look at three important dimensions of the Sabbath. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28). Not only is this an encouraging verse, it also helps us to understand a deeper dimension of the Sabbath. We know from 1 John 5:3 that the love of God is, “...that we keep His … [Read more...] about 3-D Sabbath
What is Human Greatness?
What is human greatness to you? What sort of definition comes to your mind when you think of someone being “great”? Some might think of personality, intellect, wealth or physical prowess as something that sets someone in the realm of the “great.” Obvious and publicized accomplishments that make one’s name widely recognized would surely be markers of greatness. Alexander the Great conquered all the known world by the age of 33. Thomas Edison held over 1,000 patents for his many inventions in … [Read more...] about What is Human Greatness?
Getting Out of the Mess We’re In
There is one thing we have in common with everyone else. And it’s not just something we have in common with people who are just like us or our friends, but it’s something we have in common with people we don’t even know—with people very much unlike us. Make no mistake; we all have a mess in our lives. And even if you’re lucky enough to be between messes right now, you’re 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 We’re In