Some people think it is somehow disparaging of the cross of Christ to admit that Christ-followers still sin. In their desire to magnify the greatness of the Lord’s salvation, they give the impression that if a person receives Christ, their struggles with sin will come to an end. It’s true that the Holy Spirit changes […]
When I was in high school and college I went out for wrestling. I know, it’s hard to believe now, but there was a time I enjoyed grappling. I didn’t know until years later that wrestling is also an activity of angels, though I doubt they have the same kind of rules and referees I […]
We romanticize Americans as being rugged individuals who pick-themselves-up-by-their-bootstraps. It may be romantic, until you can’t get yourself back up after a fall. You’ve seen the commercials for the necklace with a button to push to notify emergency services when you’ve fallen and can’t get up. My mom had one. It gave us kids a […]
As we await our blessed Thanksgiving celebration, with all of the usual frenzied preparation and plans…as we eagerly anticipate a table full of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, stuffing, and cranberries…our thoughts can’t help but turn to the major civil war brewing in this great and once-united United States of America. There is definitely […]
“Get ready for bed.” “I don’t want to.” “Eat your vegetables.” “I don’t want to.” “Brush your teeth.” “I don’t want to.” “Come in from play and wash your hands.” “I don’t want to.” “Put that candy back.” “I don’t want to.” “Get dressed for church.” “I don’t want to.” Every parent has been frustrated […]
Maybe there’s a reason we are told not to talk about politics or religion. It seems that those two topics can result in more heat than light. The church is not immune to division and finger-pointing, especially when it comes to views on political issues. The Apostle Paul addressed a church that was polarizing over […]
“We’ve never seen such devastation.” “We just got out with our clothes on our backs.” “We’ve been able to go back to our home. All that’s left are ashes.” You’ve probably heard these and other expressions of grief and shock. With 10% of Oregon’s population in evacuation zones, it’s likely that you know someone […]
When I was first saved, I was confused after reading the book of Job. It seemed like Job’s friends had some distorted views of God. Yet, knowing that the Scriptures were inspired, I wasn’t sure if I was to believe everything they said. Now, my understanding of “inspired” convinces me that the conversations in Job […]
The Apostle Paul wrote “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the […]
Have you ever been upset with yourself for giving into temptation … again? Have you ever assumed that if you were just more disciplined, you could be victorious? Feel you need to try harder or be more regimented to keep your routines? How many times have you heard it said that if you want […]