Reflection: When taking a picture, if you step an inch to the left or an inch to the right, the image captured on camera will be different. The same will happen if you turn your body in another direction. The same is true on the journey through life with God. Asking for direction and trying…
Simple Gospel
The gospel (“good news“) is made out to be so complex with human idea systems. Yet that is not what Jesus came to offer. No human idea systems. No philosophy. No psychology. No social system constructs. Just Him. He is greater than all human thought. The gospel is that He died and gave up His…
Easy Street
These are heavy topics, and my least favorite – the topics of persecution and oppression. The Bible has some very uncomfortable verses, and at times they can pull me into thinking that is not of God. Humans, at times have taught me that all sustenance and joys should be given up, often in circumstances to benefit random…
God’s Truth
The same object or situation can look one way one day and entirely different another when you look at it from a unique perspective or a different filter. This is today, and tomorrow will be different. However, God is the source of truth, and His glorious truth is unchanging. One human may see or experience…
Jesus is the Son and the Light
Bible Verses & Concepts: Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 4:19 Concept: Do not worship celestial bodies Bible Verses: Jeremiah 43:12-13, Jeremiah 43-44 ESV Concept: God’s wrath; Consequences of worshipping other gods Bible Verse: Revelation 21:23 Concept: There will be no sun or moon in eternity with God Reflection: God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He does not need them…
It’s That Simple
My treat tonight was a visit to an old church. I stopped by last winter and caught a glimpse of the exterior but couldn’t access it then. After a many month wait, I had quite a surprise in store. The design is simple and I expected to see only a few pews inside this church that appears smaller…
The Outcasts
I am reflecting again tonight on a point that has haunted me since I started my faith journey. A significant portion of my journey has been time spent getting to know people deemed outcasts from society, many seeking spiritual understanding and hope. I am struck by the treatment of these people by others. Alcoholics. Non-heterosexuals….
Gleaning
Bible Verses and Concepts: Bible Verse: Leviticus 19:9-10 Concept: Harvest, but leave some for the needy Bible Chapter: Ruth 2 Concept: Allow the reapers to work, and the needy to glean Questions to Consider: What common secular teachings and quality/efficiency models speak to working to be extremely efficient? What does the law in ancient Israel teach? How does this reflect…
Tower of Babel
Bible Passage: Genesis 11:1-9 Content: Tower of Babel Reflection: The irony of writing a blog post in a virtual world to share God’s Word about the story of the Tower of Babel is not lost on me. I yearn to see and share differently, and yet my capabilities often fall within the limits of human constructs and…
Pruning Season
A few short months ago as spring was starting I wrote Growth in the Kingdom and mentioned different kinds of trees and related them to leaders. Tonight I took the same walk and it was somber. A storm came through recently and these once glorious trees are decimated. The largest one has a small fraction of…
Testing Church Teachings
Technique for Testing Scriptural Accuracy of Teachings: NOTE: This technique may take several hours the first time around or if you’re trying to do in-depth study. The goal is to determine if teachings are Biblical and build discernment of common errors in teaching. As you practice over time, it becomes easier to quickly spot errors. If this process…