Testing, Tempting and Hard Times
In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to work with a local high school proctoring its AP tests. Each morning and afternoon, young students come in excited and anxious. They know the tests are designed to be difficult, and college credit is riding on the outcome. I have been encouraged by the attitude of most of the other proctors—truly wanting the students to do well, and trying to encourage them as much as we are allowed to given the rules. As I…
Read MoreTruth, Love and Service.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14-15, NIV) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NIV) WARNING: THIS…
Read MoreWe need to learn to watch our mouths–and our keyboards!
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5-6, NIV) As I post blogs on various aspects of the Christian life, limited space necessitates a degree…
Read MoreIs Praising the Lord still relevant?
We’ve all heard the phrase “Praise the Lord”! The interesting thing is, in my experience most people who say “Praise the Lord” don’t do it—or even understand it! To praise is to state or declare the positive attributes of another. So, “Praising the Lord” isn’t saying those words, it is saying things like “God you are so great, so powerful. You are loving and forgiving, and your grace has saved us! You are so wise your plan is beyond our understanding!” “Praise The Lord!” is…
Read MoreWhen Faith Isn’t Private
One of my favorite things to do is meet with other church leaders. Yesterday I had the opportunity to do this with a friend who serves a local church. We met for lunch, caught up on each other’s families, and talked about scriptural teaching regarding what my friend was currently teaching. During our discussion, we both became animated (in a positive way!) and while we weren’t yelling, our conversation could be overheard by others close to us in the restaurant. I was seriously enjoying myself!…
Read MoreForgiveness is commanded, but how do I do it?
My last blog focused on forgiveness and the fact that Jesus actually told us that if we forgive others, our Father will forgive us, but if we do not, He will not forgive us. For those who say they just can’t forgive someone, this should be scary! But understanding what Jesus actually commanded helps us understand that we can forgive. He didn’t tell us we need to feel good about someone or forget what someone did to us. He only told us that we are…
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