What is faith? In this specific case, what is Christian faith? People have lots of ideas about that. Some think faith is blind. Others may think the reasoning behind Christian faith is circular logic. Others believe Christian faith is the truth.
The Screwtape Letters – Letter #1. Discussion Guide. “What is Real Life”?
Screwtape Letter #1. Discussion Guide. “What is Real Life” More
We move on to The Letter to the church in Philadelphia. It’s unique within the seven letters in Revelation. It’s almost entirely filled with promises to the faithful in this church. Jesus has only good things to say to this church. Therefore, the examination will obviously be about them. What did they do right? How might they have achieved such good news from Jesus? And what can we learn for us today? That is, both for our churches and for us as individuals?
The letter to the Faithful church in Philadelphia – Revelation More
And so it begins. The first of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. The Letter to the church in Ephesus. Jesus had some good things to say to them. And some bad things. But then another positive statement. The Ephesian church certainly wasn’t in the worst condition of the seven. But then, it wasn’t the best either. So there’s plenty to look at. Both for the church in Ephesus at the time and for us today.
The letter to the loveless church in Ephesus in Revelation More
It’s an age-old question. One of life’s great mysteries. Which came first – the chicken or the egg? It’s stumped people for a long time – apparently – because scientists are still working on it. At least they were up until a couple days ago. It’s all figured out now. Finally – maybe I can get some sleep at night now, instead of pondering this great question!
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Why? More
Blessed are the pure in heart. What does that even mean? In this day and age, do we even know what the word “pure” means? And what’s meant by the word heart? We hopefully know it’s not about someone with a healthy heart pumping pure blood without infections, foreign matter, or other impurities. But what is it?
Blessed are the pure in heart More
A funny thing happened on the way to writing Distractions. I got distracted. First, it was going to be an update to something I wrote almost eight years ago. Somehow, it turned into something brand new. Then, I got distracted again. This time, by medical news. News that raises the question – to run from God – or run to God?
Distractions – part 1 – run away from God, or run to God? More
Which god provides salvation for us? Different people have different “gods” or deities. Even those who claim to have no “god” have one – maybe they view themselves as “the deity” of their own world. From there, we should recognize that outside of people who believe this life is “all there is” – we want something from our deity. One of those things we want from our “god” is “salvation” – we want that “god” to save us from something.
Which god provides salvation for us? More
Are we supposed to believe God – believe in God – or follow God? Are those three sets of words all different? Or do they all mean the same thing? Well, it depends. When were you born? What culture do you live in / come from? Most important, are you willing to learn what they meant when they were said? In some cases, that’s almost two thousand years ago. In others, several thousand years ago. We need to look at what they meant when they were said, in order to understand what they mean today.
Are we supposed to Believe God, Believe in God or Follow God? More
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.
Why does Christmas matter? More
