Itâs worth taking some time to look at what we know about the creation and what the Bible tells us about where itâs going. What really is real and what is not. What is lasting and what is temporary. In the beginning God created a physical infrastructure in order to create a family in His image and likeness. That creation is 13.8 billion years old, and two of the four main forces at work are gravity and electromagnetism. Gravity is very weak and needs a lot of mass, rocks, molten iron, etc., … [Read more...] about Character Is All Thatâs Left
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Perspectives from the Prodigal Son
We are familiar with the biblical story of the prodigal son. The story resonates with many due to the emotional reunion of a wayward son and his patient and merciful father. It is a story we can all relate to naturally because, like the son, we have all made our share of mistakes and decisions we wish we had never made â with the associated regret. We may yearn for redemption from the consequences of past actions, but do not know the way. This world is not good at forgiving and forgetting. But … [Read more...] about Perspectives from the Prodigal Son
Viewpoints from the Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son, which is found in only one gospel account (Luke 15), appears to be a simple story of redemption. After a son wastes his inheritance and finds himself in a hopeless, oppressive situation, he comes to himself, returns to his father, and enjoys a joyous reception. The parable acquired its name from the one son who fell into extravagant and reckless, or âprodigalâ, living. There are important lessons to be learned when we view the parable from a certain … [Read more...] about Viewpoints from the Prodigal Son
The Importance of Godly Respect
Job made an interesting observation when he was answering his friendsâ accusations as to why so many bad things had happened to him: âA lamp is despised to the thought of one who is at ease; it is made ready for those whose feet slipâ (Job 12:5). While the structure of this verse might at first appear confusing, it is simply warning of the dangers of being âat ease.â It is a mental/spiritual condition of being self-satisfied. The connection between being at ease and feet slipping is made in … [Read more...] about The Importance of Godly Respect
The Family
In May of 1992, former US President George Bush Sr. shared with the nation a firmly held belief: âGovernment cannot solve all the problems. We may be able to make good laws, but itâs never been able to make good men. That doesnât come from Big Brother. It comes from your family. It comes from your mother and father. And Iâm talking about the moral sense that must guide us all. In the simplest terms, Iâm talking about knowing whatâs wrong and doing whatâs right.â What the former president … [Read more...] about The Family
As A Little Child
In a family relationship, children play an important role and help contextualize the meaning of Godâs government in the realm of human beings. We all understand, academically, that we are children of God, but adults think, reason, and act differently than children do. This is the natural progression of maturity. As adults, molded by the realities of life, we tend to value reason and self-reliance. We can also complicate things that are inherently simple, questioning what we see and hear, and … [Read more...] about As A Little Child
Crucible Experiences
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy near the end of his life and said, âI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.â (2 Timothy 4:7). Once Paul had been called into a relationship with the Father, he had to endure all manner of difficulty and trials. He chronicles some of the difficulties he encountered in the letter he wrote to the brethren at Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). While most of us have never been beaten with whips and rods, shipwrecked, or … [Read more...] about Crucible Experiences