One of the truisms in pastoral ministry is that ‘politics and religion don’t mix.’ The meaning of that axiom, while poorly worded, is this: The heart of our message to the world is based in the gospel, not politics. That gospel contains ‘bad news’ (which is about us) and ‘good news’ (which is about God).
After listing some of the great heroes of faith from the Old Testament in Hebrews 11, the author of this grand New Testament epistle begins the twelfth chapter with these words: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so
Time markers are unavoidable: Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and new years. We celebrate all of them, but when the party’s over, we’re reminded that life is short, and how we invest it is so important. The psalmist puts it this way: Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom
I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday: Madison Avenue hasn’t been able to commercialize it the way they do most holidays. At its core there is one idea: Give thanks – and when it comes right down to it, that thanks is directed to God. In the fall of 1621, after a difficult year of
If there is no God, nothing matters. If there is a God, nothing else matters. H. G. Wells The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14.1 …he who comes to God must believe that He is… Hebrews 11.6 One of the most important tasks of church leaders is explicitly stated
For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2.11-12 Mark Twain once wrote, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into
In September, I joined the growing fraternity of COVID-sufferers. It wasn’t fun. Nothing about COVID is. On the one hand, you have the arbitrary, inconsistent, and often-bizarre restrictions mandated by well-meaning (to be charitable) leaders who enjoy controlling other people’s lives. On the other, you have a man-made virus that will make you feel nauseous,
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56.3 We are living in a day of fear. COVID fears consume many; some Christians are so exercised about it that they divide from other Christians who feel differently than they do. There are fears of the encroachment of evil into our
…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10.22 This summer we are exploring intimacy with God – what it means, and how we can enjoy it on our personal spiritual ‘walk’ with
I recently ran across an article in Forbes entitled “Dear Homesteaders, Self-Reliance Is A Delusion.” The author confesses to being a big fan of shows about “doomsday preppers, homesteaders, survivalists, generally people who live off the grid” (like Homestead Rescue and Live Free Or Die). The thought of being self-sufficient, able to make it on
