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
Growing
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!
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
Avoiding Spiritual Shipwreck
On March 23, 1989, the colossal oil tanker Exxon Valdez, carrying 54 million gallons of Alaskan North Slope crude oil, prepared for its journey south to California. In the course of 8,700 previous voyages, heavily laden oil tankers had safely made this same journey out of Prince William Sound. Surely the crew of Exxon Valdez would do the same. Sometimes I find it helpful to take events like the Exxon Valdez oil spill, pull them apart, tease them in my mind, and see what spiritual lessons … [Read more...] about Avoiding Spiritual Shipwreck
The Spiritual Olympics
Every four years we see the best athletes from around the world come together to compete against each other in what is known as the Olympic Games. Athletic prowess can be used to highlight our approach to spiritual development. The Apostle Paul certainly appeared to have been well acquainted with athletic achievement. The Olympic Games were established well before Paulâs time, so maybe due to his travels and familiarity with the area of Greece he was aware of the games being held in … [Read more...] about The Spiritual Olympics
Choose Life
As God prepared Israel for its occupation of the land of Canaan â the land He had promised them â He firmly reminded them of the centrality of His law to their existence. He told them that His commandments were near to them â in their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). Godâs law set two clear and distinct ways of life before them. On the one hand was life and good, while on the other was death and evil. The law defined these two ways, so they were clearly discernable. The assault on Godâs law … [Read more...] about Choose Life