I have a theory I’m formulating about our existence that explains why bad things happen in mortality and why Jesus taught us to love our enemies. We once lived in heaven with God in a perfect universe of perfect love. We were all loved and accepted just as we were, and there was no concern […]
Would you like your life to change for the better? Would you like to experience true, lasting healing from all the wounds of the past and the pains of the present? If so, I have this Encouragement from the Father for you: “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are […]
Do you long to be more Christ-like? To have more fruit of the Spirit in your life: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22)? I’ve been doing some self-reflection on this fruit and assessed that while I could use more of everything, my Achilles heels are longsuffering and gentleness. As much […]
I heard an interesting interpretation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep – the one where the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 to go find the one. Jesus relates this parable while surrounded by publicans (tax collectors) and sinners. The Pharisees and Sadducees judge Him for not only hanging out with, but also eating with […]
It saddens me when I see people whom I have admired walk away from their faith because they feel like others in that faith are too judgmental, harsh or dismissive of those who have fallen short or who are perceived by some as “sinners.” I have never considered my faith to be about the people […]
We hear a lot of people accusing others of being “judgmental” these days. If you don’t agree with someone’s choices, way of life, or behavior, it’s considered politically incorrect to say so. You might offend them. If you don’t feel comfortable watching entertainment with certain activities going on in it, you’re considered judgmental. Let’s look […]
Would you like to get better at hearing God? Come with me back in time to a bright spring afternoon, the very first Easter. The birds are singing; lilies are blooming across the Jerusalem countryside. Jesus is risen. The angels have appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary only this morning. They have reported […]
We live in a world run rampant with political correctness. As I was reading through Matthew chapter 10, which records Jesus calling his twelve apostles and telling them of their duties and the unpopularity they would face, I wondered what Jesus would say about being politically correct in today’s world. He warned his disciples that […]
We all want peace, prosperity and happiness, but are we looking in all the wrong places? I have a good friend who lives near the ocean. She and her husband invited several couples to a party on their boat. About ten minutes before everyone was to meet on the boat, my friend spoke with one […]
A multitude followed Jesus up into a mountain where he began to teach them what we call the ‘‘Sermon on the Mount’’ or the Beatitudes. In Latin, beatus is the basis of the English ‘beatitude,’ meaning ‘to be fortunate,’ ‘to be happy,’ or ‘to be blessed.’ So it was here on the mountain that Jesus […]