When I was a kid, I remember some of my parent’s corrections feeling way too harsh. I was convinced I didn’t need that strong of a rebuke. Now as an adult myself and having the opportunity to see some of my sister’s parenting, I understand that correction, particularly on important issues, can’t be overly soft.… Continue reading Lukewarm People and a Fiery Rebuke
Tag: church
Tiny But Mighty
When I was a kid, I was regularly in the holiday plays my family church would put on. One year, I played an elderly woman who was the director or something of a community organization or a church. While I don’t fully remember my character’s role, I do remember that she had a little (stuffed… Continue reading Tiny But Mighty
Dead Inside
In his commentary on Revelation, Craig S. Keener recalls the story of Micky Cohen, a Los Angeles gangster of the 1940s. While Cohen did make a public declaration of faith at one point, he was confronted my his Christian friends who noted that he hadn’t changed his lifestyle. Cohen said, “You never told me I… Continue reading Dead Inside
Absolutely Relative
“You do you.” “It’s your life!” “Live your truth.” I went through a phase of life where I said these things in one way or another. I went from a borderline legalistic Christian to a moral relativist. I was quick to change the traditional definition of tolerance to the currently popular redefinition of tolerance that… Continue reading Absolutely Relative
The Great Compromise
It crept in slowly but steadily. A little here and there. Just a little bend on sexual morality. Maybe it started with “Jesus can’t really expect us not to ever lust after someone who isn’t our spouse.” Just a tiny shift in ethics. Someone had to think, “well it’s not that big of a deal.… Continue reading The Great Compromise
Rich Sufferers
There are over 260 million Christians living in just the top 50 countries which rank high on the World Watch List for persecution against Christianity. The number of Christians killed last year for their faith is 2,983 and 9,488 churches and other Christian buildings were attacked in these top 50 countries. Last year alone, 3,711… Continue reading Rich Sufferers
Truth Minus Love
I grew up in a church that struck the fear of God into me. The church was biblical and didn’t mince words even on the toughest of subjects. Gray wasn’t tolerated. The Bible is the bedrock of moral truth and this church reassured that the foundation was established in the lives of it’s members. My… Continue reading Truth Minus Love
Here is the Church
Remember that rhyme we all did with the hand motions as children? “Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and where are the people?” As a youth who grew up in the church, that always shocked me a bit. I thought, “why wouldn’t people be in the church?” My parents tried… Continue reading Here is the Church
Where do we go from here?
My house is peacefully quite this Wednesday morning. I’m watching the chilly November sun rise as I am warmed by a fuzzy blanket, a big cup of coffee, and my worn out Bible in my lap. This serenity is threatened by every pop up notification on my phone and the small itching in me to… Continue reading Where do we go from here?
Light in the Darkness
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle in… Continue reading Light in the Darkness
