If we are honest with ourselves, we donât always have the feeling that God is relevant to our everyday lives. I donât mean in the overall sense of knowing Godâs plan and purpose. I am thinking of something more up close and personal. The longer time goes on, with the subsequent increase of corruption in our societies, the more difficult it is to feel the personal closeness of God -- that He is there for us on a real and personal basis. We may have understanding in our head, but the daily … [Read more...] about The Closeness of God
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When Leaders Are Lawbreakers
The world is a mess. It's a sentiment that I believe we could all readily agree with. There are reasons why the world is a mess and we need to be very clear about them. We are certainly experiencing a crisis of leadership. And there are ramifications when leaders are lawbreakers. They bring upon their nations self-inflicted destruction. I want to address the reality of what it means to have leaders who are lawbreakers and to reinforce a Christianâs responsibility to become leaders who are law … [Read more...] about When Leaders Are Lawbreakers
Why Not Steal?
We think there's a growing sentiment in the world that the idea of right and wrong is somewhat arbitrary. Our institutions have failed us in many ways, and it seems that society is throwing out both the ideas that they represented and those institutions. And we're left with the idea that morality is really just a cultural concept. It's culturally defined, and if one is truly enlightened, it's somewhat irrelevant, right? So, if morality is not defined by our institutions, it's defined by … [Read more...] about Why Not Steal?
A Form of Godliness
The Apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy to help and encourage him at a time when the Church was experiencing internal pressure from false teachers. He encourages Timothy to, âHold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Jesus Christâ (2 Timothy 1:13). Paul identified certain conditions that he saw as being challenges that the Church would have to deal with in the days preceding Christâs return. Whatever the time frame for this … [Read more...] about A Form of Godliness
Russia, Crimea, & Ukraine
When we live in peace and safety with time to dwell on our actions and how we live, ironically, this peace can be a source of danger if it decreases our alertness. For this reason, we are admonished to be watchful: âTherefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming,â (Matthew 24:42 ESV). In February and March 2014, the world was watching as Russia began to invade the region of Crimea, previously connected to Ukraine. This historic case study enlightens us to how … [Read more...] about Russia, Crimea, & Ukraine
Anger Incubator
In June 2020, Elizabeth Chang's comments were printed in The Washington Post. Sadly, her words still ring true over 4 years later. She wrote: âAmericans are angry. The country erupted into the worst civil unrest in decades after the death of George Floyd, and anger about police violence and the countryâs legacy of racism is still running high. At the same time, weâre dealing with anger provoked by the coronavirus pandemic: anger at public officials because theyâve shut down parts of society, or … [Read more...] about Anger Incubator
Why Does Man Exist?
In an article dated September 21, 2018, titled âThe Human League: What Separates Us from Other Animals?â the British Newspaper The Guardian states the following: "What a piece of work is a man! marvels Hamlet. How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! ⌠In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god! ⌠The paragon of animals! Hamlet then ponders the paradox at the heart of humankind: what is this quintessence of dust? We are special, but we are … [Read more...] about Why Does Man Exist?