Forget all those personality tests. Never mind the character studies. If you want insights into your own psyche, try the dishwasher. It’s a handy-dandy machine that can reveal what you’re really made of. All you have to do is follow these simple operating instructions: 1) Leave dishwasher door open. 2) Unwittingly apply shin forcefully to side of the open door. 3) Repeat as needed. There’s your temperament analysis. A few years ago there was a week or two when our dishwasher door wouldn’t … [Read more...]
Cooperation: God’s fellow workers, God’s field, God’s building
When studying the whole of Scripture, there are some verses a believer must not miss. Special care needs to be given to those passages that have to do with our personal identity in Christ. Take a fresh look at 1 Cor. 3:9 – “for we are all God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” One of the most powerful truths in this passage is the use of a possessive descriptor, “God’s.” What an amazing thought to be called something that belongs to the Lord Himself! Every follower of … [Read more...]
Outrageous, arrogant ruling by judge, Koster
Jackson County Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs, appointed to the court in 2009 by Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon, ruled Oct. 3 that part of Missouri's Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage is illegal and the state must recognize same-sex marriages occurring in other states. This arrogant and outrageous ruling comes despite Missouri citizens voting in 2004 by a 71-29 percent margin to amend the state Constitution to say that marriage will be only between a man and a woman. This ruling makes a … [Read more...]
CLC to recognize two Christian gentlemen
In 1957 a panel of United States senators concluded that attorney Daniel Webster, a senator from Massachusetts in the first half of the 19th century who argued 223 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and won about half of them, was among the five greatest senators in our nation’s history. I will not detail his bonafides, suffice it to say he is an important figure in our nation’s history. Webster once said, “Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens.” No one could read … [Read more...]
Help our children experience a childhood
Have we lost our minds? Since when did we let an adolescent drive a car? There may be some older children or young teens who know how to drive, but they don’t have a clue about the cost of insurance, maintenance or driving courtesy. Their reflexes and motor skills may be superior to those of a 50-year-old. However, they lack the maturity and responsibility to care about the lives of others while driving a vehicle. Now that we’ve settled that issue, let’s take a look at what is spinning … [Read more...]
Stopping church shopping, make disciple-makers
We’ll call them Brian and Victoria Samples. They are followers of Jesus, born-again, and church shoppers. Following the tried-and-true method of how to select a new church passed down from their parents, the young couple sits through several worship services, boldly leave their toddler in childcare, and pray about their fit with that church. Now, there’s another couple we’ll call Terrance and Charlene Goforth. They are followers of Jesus, born-again, and church shoppers, too. They have … [Read more...]
Reacting to NFL controversies
By now you’ve undoubtedly heard about the horrific video of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking his then-fiancée unconscious inside a casino elevator. The Ravens have terminated Rice’s contract, and the NFL has placed him on indefinite suspension. Rice’s actions were reprehensible, and the NFL’s handling of the matter at this point has been questionable at best, and shameful at worst. Now, what should Christians make of all this? The first thing is perhaps the hardest but … [Read more...]
Walking through the fog with Christ
In The Horse and His Boy, the third book in his Narnia series, author C.S. Lewis tells the story of a boy fighting through the fog—much as we do while trying to discern God’s will for our lives. Shasta, the boy in Lewis’ tale, walks blindly through the fog and over a mountain pass into the land of Narnia. As he does so the great lion, Aslan, approaches and speaks to him, but he doesn’t make himself known. In response to the lion’s questions, the boy lists his many misfortunes: He’s an … [Read more...]
Patiently Hanging on Every Word
If hanging onto reality is anything like hanging pictures, mine probably needs to go a little higher and to the right. I know, I know. There are all kinds of tools and methods to make picture-hanging easier. But I think I only feel I’ve put in the right amount of energy when I’m left with four or five holes for every one nail. Tap in a nail. Hang the picture. Eyeball it. Take down the picture. Pull out the nail. Put the nail closer to the right spot. Tap it in. Hang the picture. Eyeball … [Read more...]
Bible & generational curses
Many Christians struggling with addictive behaviors, bad relationships, or dire circumstances wonder if they are victims of generational curses. In other words, they worry that God is punishing them for the sins of their ancestors. Prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen lend credence to this notion. “The things you struggle with – they didn’t just happen to show up,” he says in a video message. “Somebody in your family line opened the door… . It will continue until somebody rises up and … [Read more...]
Mohler: Osteen message ‘aims for so little’
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – The evangelical world, joined by no shortage of secular observers, has been abuzz about the latest soundbite of note from the Pastors Osteen – this time offered by Victoria Osteen as her husband Joel beamed in the background. In her message, Victoria Osteen tells their massive congregation to realize that their devotion to God is not really about God, but about themselves. “I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for … [Read more...]
An act of generosity touches millions
One of the neatest things I have ever experienced occurred on Sept. 21, 2005, at Kauffman Stadium during a Kansas City Royals versus Detroit Tigers baseball game. It was played on a sunny, weekday afternoon. Because of the fact that it was played on a work day and the hapless Royals were embarking on yet another losing season, the game drew a sparse crowd. In fact, no one was sitting near my friends and me in our perch about 50 rows up behind home plate. I have attended dozens of Major … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- …
- 123
- Next Page »