The Great Commission » God versus religion

Why do you live? The economy or God?

Why do you live? The economy or God? Really, that question comes down to who’s your “god”? Do you live for the god of money – the economy? Or for the God of the Bible? It’s a question that starts at the top – sort of. With our president – Trump. And now it’s filtering down through our governmental leaders. Which brings in yet another “god” – the god of government.

In spite of the fact that Trump call himself the greatest president ever for Christians, there has to be a question as to who is his real “god”. And now, enter Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas. A Republican. Let’s look at a news article on msn.com, titled Dan Patrick says he is willing to risk his own life to allow economy to resume.

Why do you live? The economy or God? More

Is the work really done? – Lyrics from Christian Music

Seeing God in Christian music

Is the work really done?
When we sing this song, do we just hear “The work is done” – and then assume the work of Christianity is done? It’s an important question. I recently published something about the Great Commission, in which Jesus gives His followers our orders on how to go forward in life.

The response I got from one person was “The work is done, man”. I was shocked. But then this morning I heard the song with those words – The work is done. Is that where the person who wrote the reply got his thinking? Honestly, I don’t know. But do we take the time and put in the effort to find out what the author of the song meant?

Is the work really done? – Lyrics from Christian Music More

Don’t settle for less, #04: Don’t dwell on your haters

Settling for less

Don’t dwell on your haters – but do spend time with them

Huh? Spend time with them? Even in the secular world, there a saying that some people go by. Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer. But that’s to protect yourself from them. As a Christian, there’s a different reason for spending time with our enemies. Remember the kinds of things Jesus did in that regard?

Don’t settle for less, #04: Don’t dwell on your haters More

Don’t settle for less, #02: don’t start the day without a plan

Settling for less

Don’t start the day without a plan. It’s the second in a series of traits for successful people in the secular world that we’re going to look at. However, we’re going to see how these same traits can be applied to becoming a “successful” Christian. Someone who not only has an idea what Christianity is really about, but who also lives it. Finally, who also does the Great Commission and not what Dallas Willard calls the Great Omission.

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Greater love has no one …

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Greater love has no one … Most of you recognize those words. And know how they end. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. But what do they really mean? Do these words tell us that the greatest love we can show for another person is to die for them? Literally, physically, die?

On it’s face, it seems rather extreme. While not discounting times when literally, physically dying does, in fact, show great love, I can’t help but wonder if that’s the only thing Jesus meant when He said that. Given the context within which Jesus made that one extracted sentence, I feel it means more. Given the overall context of a Christian who truly works at following Jesus’ teachings, I believe it means a whole lot more.

It matters what that line means. We’ll explore why as we go along.

Greater love has no one … More

What’s in a worship song? or two?

Seeing God in Christian music

What’s in a worship song? Well, it’s a song. So there’s music, unless it’s “a capella”. And it’s worship, so there must be words. After all, worship is about praising and honoring. Words are kind of important when doing that. More specifically, in a Christian worship song, it’s about praising God. The God we believe created – everything. The songs should reflect that. What else should be in Christian worship songs? Love. And Truth.

These things probably seem line no-brainers. Of course, they should all be there. By, when we sing or listen to them, do we really think about what’s in a worship song that we’re directing to God? Do we just blindly sing the words, whatever they might be? Or do we meditate on them as we’re singing? In essence, are we praying those words?

What’s in a worship song? or two? More

A light on a hill? Or a noisy gong?

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Here’s a question for Christians. Are you a light on a hill? Or a noisy gong? Or are you just wondering why I’m asking? It is a legitimate question. We’re supposed to be “making disciples”. But how? Are we supposed to beat people over the head until they finally give in? I know that’s been done. Is still being done. But is it what Jesus asked for?

The same can be asked of any “in your face” approach to making people become Christians. The thing about “making disciples” is that Jesus said a whole lot more than just “go do it!”. He taught us how. He was a living example of how to do it. But do we pay attention to that part?

A light on a hill? Or a noisy gong? More

If God is here – Where is He?

Is God Still Here & Does He Still Care

If God is here, where is He? That question seems to have a lot of doubt built into it. Not since God is here, or since God exists, but If God is here. Not to mention the obvious doubt that God is here, since there’s no apparent evidence of Him.

However, there are people who end up at this site looking for answers to questions like these two:

What does God want?
Does God cry when we die?

These are people that believe that at least God is here, but maybe wondering whether he still cares.

If God is here – Where is He? More

Do Christians want power?

American Theology is mixed up

Do Christians want power? What kind of question is that? Look around. Of course Christians want power. Check out the Republican Party. Witness the strange almost worship-like adoration of Donald Trump by so many Evangelical Christians. They want power. So why does Scot McKnight say Christians don’t want power? And why is he right? How, in the face of all we see, can McKnight possibly be correct when he says Christians don’t want power?

Actually, both statements are correct – Christians do want power. But also don’t want power. It’s not really a question of whether or not Christians want power. It’s a question of what do we mean by power.

Do Christians want power? More

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – a different view

A deeper look at familiar Bible passages

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman. It’s part of John’s gospel that is often talked about. However, here’s a different view of it. Sure, it’s important to show that the “living water” that Jesus offered was for everyone. What if we look at it from the point of view of the Great Commission? Not just as we’re to spread the word to all nations. But as an example or template of how to go about spreading the gospel?

Notice the word on the chalkboard. “Feedback”. It seems like when we spread the gospel, we tend to want to talk. Just keep saying the nice “churchy” words, and people will get the message. They’ll say the so-called sinners prayer – which doesn’t exist – and be saved. Not.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – a different view More