I’m a logician. No matter how wrong I am, I can always convince myself I am right. -Jarod Kintz Continue Reading
March 11, 2015
The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Should I?
Maybe we've had it too easy. Continue Reading
March 2, 2015
The Water Walk
Let’s revisit an amazing story which, I think, has a lot to say to a Christian guy struggling to keep it clean. Fresh off one of history’s most triumphal luncheons (see Matthew 14:16-21, where five thousand dined on two loaves and three fishes) the disciples, at Christ’s specific command, took off in a boat for the other side of the lake around sundown. (vs.23) Their obedience drove them straight into the arms of catastrophe. A storm hit, the waves swelled, and by 3am they were still only midway across, exhausted and bewildered. Jesus Continue Reading
January 14, 2015
Kept
“You who are kept by the power of God — “ -I Peter 1:5 I was baptized 44 years ago, served God fervently for 7 years, spent the next 6 backslidden, then came back to my Father’s house in 1984 where I’ve happily resided since. Imperfectly, but still in residence. Continue Reading
October 30, 2014
As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us (repeat chorus as needed)
I’m still working on three things Jesus demands from me: that I not worry (Matthew 6:34) that I turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and that I forgive (Matthew 6:15). Strike three. I’ve never thought of myself as an unforgiving, grudge-holding kind of guy. But for whatever reason, I’m now seeing many things I just haven’t let go of. And I’m talking about old things, ancient history from childhood, or junior high days, or very young adulthood. Which is interesting, because candidly, I’ve been messed with pretty badly in recent years. In Continue Reading
October 15, 2014
Houston, Homosexuality and Heavy Handedness
Since the Ebola scare is today’s top story, there’s a secondary item you may be unaware of: the City Council of Houston has subpoenaed the sermons of local pastors to review what they’ve been saying about homosexuality. Under any circumstances that’s at least outrageous; at most, frightening. But the events leading to this heavy-handedness only underscore what an abusive, arrogant move it really is. “Houston, We Have a Problem” It all began last June, when the Houston City Council passed the Human Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) also known Continue Reading
August 26, 2014
Priceless
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife — -1Peter 3:7 I’m sure I know my wife better than anyone else could know her, which I get no props for. We’re 27 years married, after all, so if my working knowledge of the woman didn’t surpass anyone else’s, it would be a mighty indictment against me. So ask me practically anything about her and I can fill you in, though I won’t, but I could. I know her fully, not completely, but pretty thoroughly. And I am trying to honor her, daily, with Continue Reading
August 18, 2014
Armed
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. – I Peter 4:1 Continue Reading
August 13, 2014
Eternally Secure, Perpetually Striving
One of Christianity’s longest running arguments has to do with the believer’s security. If one has been born again, can he ever lose his salvation? If so, how? And, once lost, can it ever be retrieved? I’m not entirely settled on the issue myself. Some of my favorite scriptures bolster the “once saved, always saved” position. “No man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hands” (John 10:29) for example, and “There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”(Romans 8:1) Ditto for “He is able to save to the Continue Reading
August 11, 2014
The Shoulder Ride
The Shoulder Ride Perverse and foolish oft I strayed and yet in love He sought me And on His shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me. -Henry W. Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Yesterday my pastor preached a dynamite sermon on the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15) and made a point I’d never considered before: the shepherd had to have been tired from his search, but for the joy of finding it, he also found the strength to hoist the animal up and tote him back. Continue Reading
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