suffering

If you want to walk on water ... expect a storm

If you want to walk on water … expect a storm

If you want to walk on water … expect a storm. If you want to walk on water is the beginning of a great John Ortberg book. His book title ended with You’ve got to get out of the boat. I borrowed the first part but switched out the ending to expect a storm.

However, there’s part of that “getting out of the boat” that isn’t always so obvious.
Or maybe it is obvious. But we choose to ignore it? I expect it’s the latter. We want to ignore it.

If you want to walk on water … expect a storm More

the way back home - from hell on earth to heaven

The Way Back Home

The Way Back Home.  But the way back home from where?  And to where?  I first wrote this one back on October 25, 2013. I cried when I wrote it. It still makes me cry. Even when I hear this song now, it’s got a whole added meaning to it beyond the obvious words.  And today, March 3, 2021, I’m publishing it again. 
Get some kleenex, and see a deeper message in this amazing song – The Way Back Home.

The Way Back Home More

How did Christianity get to be like this?

How did Christianity get to be like this?

How did Christianity get to be like this? You ask, Like what? Let me answer, initially, with a hint, rather than a direct answer. Some think one of the worst things to happen to Christianity was when Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. As history is showing, that’s more significant that most people probably realize. The parallels to what’s going on in the U.S. today are incredible.

Historians now debate whether “the first Christian emperor” was a Christian at all. Some think him an unprincipled power seeker. What religion he had, many argue, was at best a blend of paganism and Christianity for purely political purposes.

How did Christianity get to be like this? More

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted.  Huh?  Persecuted for what?  And why?  Why is it a blessing to be persecuted?  And what is the blessing that’s received?  If you don’t know what this is about, it probably sounds like someone’s really into being dumped on.  But then, if you’re a regular here, you know what this is about.  It’s the conclusion to our series on the  Beatitudes.  

Blessed are those who are persecuted More

Suffering for doing good

Suffering for doing good

If you’ve got that feeling to do good things, even with the potential cost to you, with no ulterior motives, with nothing but unselfish love for someone like your elderly neighbors that you’re shopping for, why not acknowledge that’s God?  Jesus told us He’d try to get our attention.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Why not open that door and start bringing an end to the suffering for doing good?

Suffering for doing good More

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away

The Lord gives and The Lord takes away

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  It’s a pretty common saying.  It’s most likely to be used when something bad happens.  Like it’s supposed to make people feel better.  And it might actually accomplish that goal – if it was told correctly.  It’s like the old thing about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  So here’s the truth about the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  It’s true.  However, it’s not the whole truth.  Therefore, it isn’t actually “nothing but the truth”.

The Lord gives and The Lord takes away More

non-prodigal son - the "good" son

The non-prodigal son

Lots of people know the story of the Prodigal Son. Even many non-Christians. But what of his brother? In Luke’s Gospel, the parable of the Prodigal (lost) Son is 22 verses. Only five of them are about the “other” brother. I can’t help but wonder though …

The non-prodigal son More

Tears of God? I can't imagine there's even one second when someone isn't doing something to make God cry. Maybe someone who hasn't been saved - dies - and is forever lost. Could be someone who hasn't been saved yet - but will be. Or someone who has been saved - but even then we still continue to sin and hurt God.

Tears of God

Tears of God? I can’t imagine there’s even one second when someone isn’t doing something to make God cry. Maybe someone who hasn’t been saved – dies – and is forever lost. Could be someone who hasn’t been saved yet – but will be. Or someone who has been saved – but even then we still continue to sin and hurt God.

Tears of God More

Scroll to Top