Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
As I was walking yesterday, a neighbor called to me and asked if he could ask me a question. This happens a lot, and I always begin with “I will give you an answer, though the answer may be ‘I don’t know’”! Sometimes these questions are unusual and unique to what is happening in the questioner’s life. More often, it is a question I have heard before. One of the questions I hear the most often is “Why”? Why did God allow that? Why do…
Read MoreWe Need To Get Our Heads In The Game!
We Need To Get Our Head In The Game I am a Cornhusker fan. A loyal, lifelong, Cornhusker fan. For those of you who follow college football, you know that is a hard thing to say these days. Twice in my life, I remember the Nebraska Cornhuskers playing at a level that would rival the NFL (as evidenced by the fact that half the senior class went into the NFL each year). In between the dynasty, years were years of struggle. And today, struggle is…
Read MoreDiscipleship and Racism–Where Does Jesus Stand?
In the past few months, I have been called both a fighter for justice and a racist (that part not to my face), both based not on what I believe, what I say or what I do, but on whether I am willing to support a specific movement. So, as I write this, let me make clear, I am not particularly interested in any movement or label. I will stand with anyone who stands with what our King has taught and commanded–to the extent that…
Read MoreHow Do I Know What To Do?
What Does God Want Me To Do? Most of us have asked that question, some of us many times. Does God want me to take this job? Does God want me to go on this trip? Should I buy this car? Does God want me to marry her? Am I supposed to move? While we need to be aware of God’s will and be in constant submission to Him, these questions presume two beliefs: God has decided what I should do in every circumstance—a specific…
Read MoreCan We Really Just Let Go and Let God?
We’ve all heard it. When you’re experiencing problems in your life, as a Christian, you should just “give it to God”. Lost your job? Give it to God! Your wife left you? Turn it over to Jesus! Struggling with how to deal with your diagnosis of cancer? Let go and let God! Sounds good. The problem is, every Christian I know has struggled with this advice. It seems that a common experience is giving it to God only to find it sitting on our lap…
Read MoreIs Doubt Really That Bad?
Most disciples admire people of faith. I get that, and I suppose I do too. But my real heroes are people of doubt. You see, I’m not some spiritual giant, able to walk into the lion’s den and smile at them. I hope I would be faithful, but I know myself, and I know my doubts. So, when I see people of doubt being accepted by God, it reassures me. I don’t have to be that perfect, amazing person (by the way—there are no perfect…
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