2018

Why does Christmas matter?

Why does Christmas matter?

A look at ourselves

Honestly, those are the reasons we celebrate.  Not just because a cute cuddly baby was born.  But because that cute cuddly baby was God in human form, who came here to suffer and die for us.

And look what we’ve done with that day.  That season.  We commit even more sins in our attempt to celebrate His birth.  We force people to say things.  We have need to have bigger and better displays than our neighbors, because of our pride.  We give good gifts, because we want people to like us, even if we don’t think twice about them the rest of the year.  And on – and on.

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The Sermon On The Mount

The Sermon On The Mount – Introduction

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

I doubt that a huge number of people today would refer to Christianity as counter-cultural.  In fact, being in what’s called a post-Christian era, more people are likely to view Christianity as the old way – much like young people don’t use email, Facebook, and countless other “old” technologies.

The question is – why not?  Christianity should be very much a counter-culture.  The fact that it isn’t, I believe, is more related to how Christianity is practiced than it is to what Christianity is really about.  I’m talking about the Christianity of Jesus – not the Christianity of man.  Not the European model, where people are more into following The Force, as in Star Wars, or being a “none”.  And not the Christianity of America, where the so-called prosperity Gospel seems to have more followers than anything close to what Jesus actually spoke about.

So as you read this, think about Jesus’ words in that counter-culture way.  Maybe it’s not what you’re used to hearing.  But they are, after all, His words.  They aren’t the watered down or misinformed words that are spoken or written about by people who don’t even follow Jesus’ teaching themselves.  Think the “yeast of the Pharisees” here.

The Sermon On The Mount – Introduction More

failure in church leadership

What happens when there’s a failure in church leadership?

A look at ourselves

What happens when there’s a failure in church leadership?  Actually, the better question is what should happen when there’s a failure in church leadership?  The example we’ll look at is real.  It happened.  And it’s sure tempting to blame the Bishop.  In fact, that’s pretty much what the New York Times article does.  But there are deeper issues.  Larger questions.  One of them – how did this situation ever get to the point where $2.3 million dollars was spent on a home for a retiring Bishop?

What happens when there’s a failure in church leadership? More

If you quit

If we quit …

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

If we quit, all we do is prove those who said we couldn’t do it were right.
If we try something, we may or may not succeed.
But if we quit, failure is guaranteed.

Some may not like what I just said – for lot’s of different reasons.  

Maybe you don’t believe in God.  Sorry – I’m not going to address that issue here.  There’s plenty of other articles you can check out though.
Maybe you don’t believe in the devil.  Same answer.
Maybe you’re a Christian and remember verses like this one –
Jn 14:14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Yet again – sorry, although for a different reason.

If we quit … More

Will there be cheese in Heaven?

Will there be cheese in Heaven?

A look at ourselves

Will there be cheese in Heaven?  Maybe you don’t care.  I do.  I’d like to see smoked salmon too.  But here’s the thing.  Cholesterol is becoming a problem for me.  And the number one factor is cheese.  Almost everything is better with cheese.  And the more cheese, the better it is.  Even cheese alone is good.  So when I ask, will there be cheese in Heaven – it’s a serious question.

For you, maybe it’s butter.  Or bacon.  Or something else.  Whatever’s important to you – you might be asking, will there be [fill in the blank] in Heaven.

Will there be cheese in Heaven? More

Why were Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden of Eden?

Why were Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden of Eden?

A look at ourselves

Why did Adam and Eve get kicked out of the Garden of Eden?

Because Eve ate the fruit?
There it is – Adam said, in modern words – “She did it!”
And, because we don’t really “listen” / pay attention, we tend to go along with that.
But, if we are listening and paying attention, what do we do with the words “who was with her”?  He was there.  Many Christian commentaries ignore this phrase altogether and say nothing about it.  Others will try to explain it away, saying that other things happened between the exchange between Eve and the serpent – and the moment Eve gave the fruit to Adam. But Adam was there!

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A trip to Hell - on the way to Heaven

A trip to Hell – on the way to Heaven

Grown-again Christian

Think about this as part of our trip to Hell.  Not after we’re dead – not while we’re on the way to Heaven – because that’s too late.  I say, think about it right now.  Well, how about after you finish reading this.

While we’re “visiting” in Hell, we’ll see all of our friends and loved ones who’ve died, and didn’t make ti to Heaven.  Now, think about how many of those friends we reached out to while they were alive.  How many of them did we share the Gospel with?  How many of them did we try to steer away from Hell, but instead put them on their way to Heaven?

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The problem of Coexist – and – Love your enemy.

The problem of ...

Coexist.  Love your enemy.  One is from man.  The other from God.  Can the two concepts actually “coexist”?  What about hatred?  Where does it fit in?

Coexist.  OK – you had to know it wasn’t going to be as simple as just getting along with each other.  True – even that is hard enough.  But look at the image to the right.  I haven’t seen it hardly at all lately, but it used to be a popular bumper sticker.

The problem of Coexist – and – Love your enemy. More

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