Oppression of the weak in this world almost seems like a global sport. If you’re like me, you feel like it’s worse than ever. But is it? Oppression of the weak isn’t new. It’s been around for as long as there’ve been people.
Psalm 12 – Oppression of the weak isn’t new More
We move on to the fifth of the seven letters in Revelation. We’re on the home-stretch. This time the letter to the dead church in Sardis. Jesus has very little in the way of good things to say about the church in Sardis. And, of course, bad things. In this church, the examination will again be about the relationships between the good and bad statements. But this time, Jesus very clearly points out the differences to the church. And therefore, to us as well.
The letter to the dead church in Sardis – Revelation More
The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish. When you read it, the concept of the tree without fruit and the warning of repent or perish makes sense.
Well, it should make sense to Christians.
However, I believe there’s more to it than we might think.
The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish More
When we left Jonah in part 2 of this series, he was just vomited onto dry land by the great fish God send to bring Jonah back to Him. It seems there’s a great lesson, pun intended, that Christians need to learn about God from Jonah. Something that kind of reminds me a bit of a scene from Star Wars. The thinking behind “Let the Wookie win” is quite different from the contest of wills between God and Jonah. And yet, the idea of “Let God win”, is just so striking.
What Christians need to learn about God from Jonah More
What’s important to you? Do we even take time to think about that question? Or are we just so focused on “now” that we don’t even know what’s important?
Maybe I should say, what’s important in your future? You know, beyond the next few minutes? Even better, your distant future? Where do you hope to be at the end of your life?
In other words, what’s your life goal? What’s important for you to be able to achieve your life goal? Do I dare even ask if you’ve thought about the next life? What happens after this one?
What do Christians need to learn about love from Jonah? Seriously? Jonah is so, well, Old Testament. What can we learn from him? And love? Jonah is an example of love? But yes, I do believe there’s a lot we can and should learn about love, God’s love, from Jonah’s experience.
What Christians need to learn about love from Jonah More
Are The Gates of Hell Locked From The Inside? The first time I wrote about this, I said yes. The second time, I updated it to say yes, but I thought some Christians can’t relate to the concept of not wanting to be with God. This time, many years later, I’m not sure some (many?) Christians even know what it means to be with God.
Are The Gates of Hell Locked From The Inside? More
What is the forgotten holiday? Actually, maybe not so much forgotten. More like never really celebrated that much. Ever. I call it the “forgotten” holiday as a nod to Francis Chan’s book – The Forgotten God. Does that help to identify it? If you live someplace like France, Germany, Norway or Sweden – you’ll be wondering why I call it forgotten. Your countries haven’t forgotten. But if you’re like me, in the U.S. – or if you’re in the U.K., Canada or Australia – you get it. Maybe, no matter the country, you get it if you’re Catholic.
So what is the forgotten holiday? It’s Ascension Day.
The problem of the forgotten holiday – Ascension Day More
Are we all supposed to be the same? That’s probably a question lots of us ask. I’m asking it right now. So this is as much for me as it is for anyone. If you’re asking whether we’re all supposed to be the same, hopefully this will help you and me both. Notice though, I’m not asking are we all supposed to be equal. I wrote the same, as in identical. Specifically, identical in the way we act, our purpose in life, and things like that. It’s not a question of is one person somehow better or more deserving than another.
Are we all supposed to be the same? More
Do Christians have to believe God is God? I know, it seems like a stupid question. Until I read an article at salon.com titled, Do Christians believe God resurrected Jesus from the dead? Well, it’s complicated. Really? It’s complicated? How complicated can it be? If God is God, then why can’t Christians believe Jesus was Resurrected from the dead?
Do Christians have to believe God is God on Easter? More
