The Bible and Its History
What is the Truth
What is the difference between secular truth and Biblical truth? What is it that Jesus asks of us in telling the truth?
The truth of Jesus will set us free!
The Book of Revelations isn’t Really that Scary!
Revelations has long been considered a dark and scary book. But actually when read with the knowledge of why it was written; it becomes an engrossing story of the cosmic battle of good versus evil. A battle in which Jesus wins!
Crossing Our River Jordan
Learn the story about Joshua and crossing the River Jordan to the promised land. It applies to us today, many centuries later. Teaching us how to use faith to leave our personal wilderness and move to God’s promised land for our lives.
Colossians: Working For God While In Prison
Colossians: Working For God While In Prison
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1
If you visit Ephesus, in all likelihood you will see a small tower in town that the locals will tell you it is the prison Paul was in when he wrote Colossians. Now, nowhere in the Bible does it mention Paul was in prison in Ephesus, leading some scholars to think this is a traditional aspiration on the part of the citizens of Ephesus. Maybe it is or isn’t, but it certainly makes for an interesting discussion.
But what we are sure of is that Paul did write some of his letters while sitting in prison, three in fact. They are Philippians, Philemon and Colossians. They are called the Prison Epistles. Whether or not they were written in a Roman prison, Ephesus or somewhere else is interesting, but not the real story. It’s more about Paul’s commitment to Christ, despite his circumstances.
So it is easy to miss Paul’s commitment to his work, as we read his letters. But let us put ourselves in Paul’s shoes. His trials and dangers during his three missionary trips are legendary. And that is what is important. His rock steady commitment to spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire is not just a fictional story, it was real life. Filled with danger, resistance, physical harm and prison stays.
Imagine ourselves, sitting in prison, all because we preached the gospel. Would we have stopped to pursue a less turbulent life? Could we have focused on the mission, while surrounded by jail bars? Well Paul did, and not only that, some of his best writing came while sitting in a dank and dark prison. Now to me that shows exactly how much Paul trusted God.
Hebrews: Jesus Our Mediator with God
Hebrews: Jesus Our Mediator with God
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Around 65-70AD, Christians in the Roman Empire suffered severe persecution at the hands of Emperor Nero. Prompting some, notably Jewish Christians to want to return to Judaism to avoid persecution. Forgetting the purpose of Jesus.
Their lives had become very uprooted and desperate. Their livelihoods and social status were threatened. Their only way out was to either follow the Roman Gods or return to Judaism.
In response a very skilled author wrote the book of Hebrews to this group to exhort them to maintain their faith in Jesus. To not forget that Jesus had come to earth in human form to die for their sins and become their intercessor with God.
Traditionally, this letter was assigned to Paul, but likely not. The language of the letter, while very complex, like Paul’s writing, has far less personal comments and doesn’t follow Paul’s normal style of bold assertions. Instead, it is written almost as a very logical legal defense. Many people have been assigned the authorship; from the author of Luke, to Clement of Rome, one of Paul students or even Apollos.
Origen, the great early Christian historian, says it best regarding the authorship, who wrote the epistle is known to God alone. I agree with Origen and find trying to figure out who wrote this masterpiece is a distraction to the wonderful message of the good news of Jesus, which is contained in Hebrews.
But this is a very hard book to read and understand without knowing in advance what and where the author is saying and going. So let me try to help with some background information.
Do Everything Through God
Do Everything Through God; The Simple Message of Philippians
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians [4:13]
The Apostle Paul sits in a Roman prison, after completing his three missionary journeys. During this imprisonment he wrote three letters to the Philippians. Now you might ask, I thought there was only one letter written to the church in Philippi. Well, there were actually three and the book of Philippians we read in the Bible is a combination of all three. While all three letters were written by Paul, skillful editing by an unknown scribe many centuries ago created this great letter out of three. A wonderfully positive and uplifting book in the Bible that I highly recommend for all.
And what makes this letter most remarkable, are the optimistic and encouraging sentiments, written while Paul was sitting in Jail!. A letter of thanksgiving written to the Philippians for their financial support and their positive growth as new Christians.
Imagine ourselves, sitting in a jail in the first century, uncertain of our future and then crafting the letters that make up one of the most uplifting books in the New testament. And that is the point of Philippians, no matter how dire our circumstances, we can be optimistic because of our faith in God. Or as Paul says, I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Christians, Get Along with Each Other!
Christians, Get Along with Each Other!
Epistle to the Ephesians
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
If I had to sum up the message of Ephesians, I would say that it is for Christians to get along with each other. Not just socially, but also in the church and with family. The starting point for why this letter was written is once again for the newly converted gentile Christians and Jewish Christians to get along. While this theme keeps getting repeated in Paul’s letters, it provides a great example that is more universal than just the dispute between these two groups. In a way these disputes acts as an example of how we should all get along. In other words, we shouldn’t just look at the dispute between the gentile Christians and Jewish Christians as isolated and act amused at their inability to get along. Rather, we should look at our lives and see where we have created barriers with others, just because they are different.
The Book of Romans
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans [10:13]
Near the end of Paul’s three journeys throughout the Mediterranean world, he wrote The Epistle to the Romans, or more commonly known as the Book of Romans. While this is the first of Paul’s letters in the New Testament, it is actually the last one he personally wrote, sometime in 57AD. This letter is considered to contain the most complete theology of all the letters in the New Testament.
In fact, its message is so rich in thought, that I recently had someone tell me they are part of a Bible study group that would review the Book of Romans for a full year. Yes, every week for a full year!
Every sentence in Romans is so deep in explaining our Christian faith, I can easily see how this would be possible. Even a year might not even be enough!
What’s more remarkable, is that while the letter is addressed to the Christians who lived in Rome, Paul had not been to Rome at the time of this writing. So you might ask, why did Paul write this letter? Well the answer is a little complicated.
Galatians: We Are All Equal In Christ!
Galatians: We Are All Equal In Christ!
There is neither Greek or Jew, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Jesus.
Galatians [3:28]
A friend of mine came to me overwhelmed by the complexity of the Book of Romans. I suggested she should read Galatians first. Here was my reasoning, it was written before Romans and is considered a primer to Romans. Certainly less burdensome in its length and the deeply elegantly prose written by Paul in Romans is replaced with a simpler to the point prose of Paul. So while Galatians isn’t as theologically rich, it is far more accessible. By comparison, Romans has sixteen chapters and Galatians has six. But both contain many of the same thoughts.
The letter was written to a church in Galatia, a region of present day Turkey. The date of the letter is late 40’s AD, maybe 50 AD. This one of Paul’s first letters. What I personally love about this letter is a verse in chapter 3-verse 28, where is says; There is neither Greek or Jew, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Jesus.
I would call this a foundational statement by Paul. A statement that we can use to measure other writings or verses written by Paul. Here it is a well-crafted sentence written for the Galatians that tells all about how Paul thinks. He believes that All people, and I cannot stress ALL enough! His message is that ALL are equal and worthy to Jesus. It doesn’t matter where you come from, your gender, what you believed before you were born again, we are ALL equal. And we ALL start as Christians first and everything else second.
Great Christians of the Past
The Apostle John; The Son of Thunder or the Apostle of Love?
Discover why the Apostle John was called the Son of Thunder and how Jesus turned him into the Apostle of Love. Which Jesus can do for us as well.
Paul and Pleasing God; the Message of 1St Thessalonians
Paul and Pleasing God; the Message of 1St Thessalonians
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
1st Thessalonians 2:4
Paul sits in Corinth having been joined by his student, Timothy and writes a letter to the church in Thessalonica. The date is sometime between 50AD and 52AD. Paul is currently in the middle of his second missionary journey. The letter Paul writes is likely the first of all his great letters.
Since Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus, he has spent three years in the wilderness; met with Peter and the early church in Jerusalem; waited in Taurus for a way to help spread the good news about Jesus; finally called to work with Barnabas in Antioch, and complete his first missionary journey. And now is in the second of his three missionary journeys to spread the Good News of Jesus. A time frame that has spanned around fifteen years.
Paul has endured a lot and his trials along the way have become legendary. Now, he sits peacefully in Corinth. Timothy has returned from Thessalonica with good news about the church they helped create. Paul is overjoyed and relieved; his work is bearing fruit. Through his many struggles and travels, he has worked very hard to spread the message about Christ throughout the Gentile world, now it seems it has been worth the effort.
Now begins the time Paul uses his extraordinary literary skills and writes the Letter to the Thessalonians. The first of many that would not only encourage and help those he visited but resonate throughout the ages for many others. These letters would become his other mission. Letters so skillfully written that their messages are still relevant for Christians centuries later.
2nd Corinthians: A Look at The Human Side of Paul
2nd Corinthians: A Look at The Human Side of Paul
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2nd Corinthians [5:18]
Before we get too far in, I should explain that there were at least three letters written by Paul, with some help from Timothy, to the Corinthians. Perhaps even four. You could point out that there are only two in the New Testament, and that is correct. But it appears that the missing two are in both 1st Corinthians and 2ndCorinthians. So while this might seem a bit odd, it happened in other books of the New Testament as well, notably Philippians.
While many will speculate why did this happen, I think that is the wrong way to look at these books, especially 2nd Corinthians. What the combining of these letters did was to create for us a very human Paul, who appears both saddened and joyful, in 2nd Corinthians. To me, this is the bigger story of 2nd Corinthians.
But for those who are curious, here are the four letters in order of authorship.
· Warning Letter; written to the Corinthians to caution them about sexual Immorality; referenced in chapter 5:9 of 1st Corinthians.
· Actual 1st Corinthians
· Letter of Tears; written pre 2nd Corinthians, but referenced in Chapters 2:3-4 and it appears to be included in Chapters 10-13 of 2nd Corinthians.
· 2nd Corinthians
The reason this is important, is we get the full range of Paul’s emotions. After the writing of 1stCorinthians, which was intended to get the church back on track, more drama arose. Paul visited the church in Corinth, prior to the writing of 2nd Corinthians, to resolve these new issues. In this book, he referred to this as his painful visit. Spurred on by outsiders, his Apostleship and teachings were challenged, leaving him hurt and dismayed. Prompting him to write the letter of tears; which in part is included in chapters 10-13 of 2ndCorinthians.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
John [20:18]
In 591AD Pope Gregory 1, declared in a sermon, that Mary Magdalene was a sinful woman. Setting off a centuries long belief that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. While this was dismissed by Pope Paul IV in 1969, it is still part of the myth that surrounds Mary Magdalene. A simple misguided and poorly researched statement by Gregory has clouded for modern Christians the real Mary Magdalene.
Discovering the real truth about Mary Magdalene is hard, because there are few writings about her or from her. Much of what has been written is opinion and speculation. Sometimes wildly dramatic images, like the one from Gregory. Others have even speculated that perhaps she was Jesus’s wife! Well none of these hold up when we carefully review the only document that contains references about her; the Holy Bible.
Perhaps the best description we get of her is in Luke 8:1-3, where is says; The Twelve were with him,2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Jesus said to Peter the Apostle; And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.
It was true that Peter built the church after Christ rose into heaven. It was simple enough, on Jesus’s part, to say this and for it to happen. But there is more to Peter than just being The Rock.
Spend a Year with Jesus
A God of Promises
A God of Promises
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Jeremiah [29:11]
When we fully accept this famous verse, we both at once and for the future, change our view of God. God undeniably becomes a God of love and promise; no longer a condemning God. This simple assertion states that when we live by God’s will, we are given a future with hope. Surely evil will still exist, but it will only gain momentary victories. Our hope and faith in God ensure a victory that will provide us with a life of hopefulness. No longer will we be troubled in times of stress, but we will instead know calm as we watch the storms of life ebb. With faithful patience, we capture this life of hope.
Points of Reflection
· What plans does God have for us individually and as a community?
· What events in life have given you hope in God?
· How do we approach life when the storms of life rise up?
Being Humble
Do we always recognize God’s involvement in our lives when we are successful?
Not My Will but Yours
What does it mean to do God’s will? How does Jesus show us how to do God’s will?
A Final and Everlasting Gift
The Holy Spirit descended on the fiftieth day after the resurrection for all humankind. A gift from Jesus that helps us each day in our lives.
Jesus’ Gifts
Jesus gifts are available to all. How has Jesus helped you in your life? Jesus ascended to heaven and left a legacy that is still with us today..
The Holy Spirit
The fifth Sunday of Pentecost and the value of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, which dwells in each of us and speaks to us through our hearts.
Recognizing the Risen Jesus
Recognizing the Risen Jesus
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him;
and he vanished from their sight.
Luke [24:31]
After the resurrection, Jesus walked to Emmaus with two disciples. Along the way, neither recognized Jesus, but they listened to his story. When they arrived in Emmaus, they sat down for a meal, and the risen Jesus prayed. Upon hearing the prayer, the two immediately recognized that Jesus had been with them. Jesus vanishes from their sight, but they are left as believers in the power of Jesus and the Resurrection. Our lives are the same. As we journey on our way to our life’s Emmaus, we will also be visited by Jesus, who will tell us his story. Upon our recognition, he will vanish from our earthly senses and reside in our hearts. No longer will we rely upon believing in what we see; we will believe in the power of the unseen.
Points of Reflection
· Why is it hard for us to recognize Jesus?
· What does “Faith in the unseen” mean to you?
· Name instances in your life where Jesus was with you but you recognized his presence only after the fact.
Love: Our Greatest Gift
Love: Our Greatest Gift
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end;
as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end
1 Corinthians 13:8
The very essence of all that lies in the Gospel and Jesus’s mission on earth was to love. It is the one trait and gift from God to which we all can excel. Love is a message that Jesus not only preached but walked. He cured the sick, uplifted the poor in spirit, and gave us a new life. Simply stated, all Jesus asks of us is to “Love our God, Love our neighbor.” We may be gifted orators, have great knowledge, and able to see worldly things, but all of this is momentary and, eventually, all that will be left is our capacity to love. Money, power, and fame are fleeting, but love is everlasting. During our barest moments, it is love that reconciles our existence.
Points of Reflection
· During this week, how did you show love to your neighbor?
· Why is love the most important attribute of our Christian faith?
· List three ways you showed love to God and your neighbor this week?
A New Covenant for Humankind
Picking Our Life Treasures
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew [6:21]
As a final reflection during the period of Lent, let us consider our hearts desire. What do we desire in and of life? Do we desire a heart filled with compassion and empathy? Do we desire a gentle and generous spirit that reflects a sincere kindness towards our neighbor? Do we desire a connectedness with heavenly things that bring peace and certainty? A heart pointed towards these things will instantly reject that which is material, self-interested, and seeking personal gain. In rejecting that which will tempt us away from our life’s purpose, we put away those things of the world that inevitably lead to discontent.
Picking Our Life Treasures
Picking Our Life Treasures
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew [6:21]
As a final reflection during the period of Lent, let us consider our hearts desire. What do we desire in and of life? Do we desire a heart filled with compassion and empathy? Do we desire a gentle and generous spirit that reflects a sincere kindness towards our neighbor? Do we desire a connectedness with heavenly things that bring peace and certainty? A heart pointed towards these things will instantly reject that which is material, self-interested, and seeking personal gain. In rejecting that which will tempt us away from our life’s purpose, we put away those things of the world that inevitably lead to discontent.
Avoiding a Life of Uncertainty
Avoiding a Life of Uncertainty
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John [10:10]
Jesus came to provide an alternative life. One free of uncertainty and scarcity. A way of life with straight roads and peace. All that is required is a heart open to be filled by the message of Jesus. When we fully live this life, we will never be wrong in our choices. We can always be certain we are traveling the right road. Along the way, voices will come to distract us from our appointed way. Voices that will dispute God’s existence. Voices that will tell us to want more. Voices that will try to give us a reason to desire unquenchable ways. Our straight and forward movements combined with our faith through daily prayers will protect us from the noisy voices we will hear. Through Jesus we will have an abundant life.
Inspirational Christian Stories
Jesus is True Reality
Jesus is True Reality
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
John 14:6
If we want to fix what is wrong and help those underserved, it is our uplifting actions that will provide a lasting solution, not toppling statues because of our view of history. By staying riveted to the lessons of Jesus we can make real change.
Through following Jesus, we can be certain of our path and what is a true reality. In the Gospel of John, we get a quote from Jesus that gives us this direction, where it says; Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” A clear and simple message of what should occupy our minds. Not that of pursing frail and fragile human truth, rather a life that focuses on a sacred truth by following Jesus.
This path is very hard to follow. And on many days we will fall short of truly living this way. We will all become desirous of giving our opinions or become overly bothered by the headlines of the day. Jesus asks us to follow him and through this activity, we become much more productive in helping out in an unequal world. Over time we will discover a more soothing path. A path that removes us from what falsely seems permanent to a sacred purpose.
The world is filled with glimmering nuggets that attract us, only to be disappointed when we grab a hold of them. History is filled with them, never satisfying, and always attracting our thoughts. Following Jesus is quite different, all that He said is true and beneficial.
Today, spend time with Jesus and ask for His insight, what seems illusive will become real.
The Reign of Terror
Jesus commands us to love one another in John [13:34]. He doesn’t request us to love. Jesus commands us to love. And when we do, we are serving the Lord.
Being Born from Above
What does it mean to be born from above? How does God chase us?
The Seasons of Life
In each of our lives there will be seasons of joy and mourning. These seasons all have a purpose under the heavens. The wonderful poem in Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 is a God-breathed verse to guide us through these seasons.
Avoiding Being Mired in Darkness
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.
John [8:12]
How to use this verse in problem-solving.
We Are Who We Are Because of The Grace of God
We Are Who We Are Because of The Grace of God
But by the grace of God I am what I am.
1st Corinthians [15:10]
I am sure you have heard the phrases, By the grace of God or I am saved by the grace of God. So what is God’s grace? The simplest answer is; grace is God’s love towards us, which has not been earned by us but given freely by God. The multiple branches of this statement in explanation are long and if all are followed, provide more insight if carefully worked by the mind.
The amount of theological doctrine relating to grace is immense and it seems that not all can quite agree. Some parts are agreed to by some and others have other dimensions of grace to explain.
And that is part of the point about grace, each person receives and feels God’s grace differently. But its effect on the individual is universal. So universal that God’s grace is perhaps the most important aspect of the Bible. In our relationship with God, it starts with God’s desire to be in relationship with us. A compelling desire by God that is not diminished by our rejection of God.
Jesus is a prime example of grace. The cross, His life, and resurrection were all done as a result of God’s grace. The forgiveness of our sins was unearned. Simply, an innocent entity stood in for us on the cross. The lessons of Jesus become guideposts for our lives, yet they have been given freely. The resurrection of Jesus was to defeat death for us. Again, an extraordinarily powerful act, that was not deserved but given.
Are Religious Freedoms Being Trampled Because of the Corona Virus?
Jesus said; “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” How does it apply to the current lockdown of churches caused by the Corona Virus?
Finding God is Like Learning to Fish
According to Proverbs [8:17]; finding God requires two things; to love God and to be diligent in searching for God. And this is so very true. Today’s message explores how to find God.
Finding Hope and Love; Not Fear through the Coronavirus
Finding Hope and love; Not Fear Through the Coronavirus.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John [4:18]
A friend of mine said they were tired of listening to all the news about the Coronavirus, it was making him fearful. When I probed a little deeper to find out why; I discovered that during the day it was all he watched on television. Because he was now working at home; he had left the television on to get the latest news.
He had become obsessed with knowing everything he could about the virus. Over and over all day he heard terrible stories of despair. Leaving him on Friday’s exhausted and fearful. Well, we all know the cure for this, stop watching the news all day. Easy to say, but hard to do. If you went to any mental health professional they would give you this advice, limit your watching the news to thirty minutes a day and try to watch at the same time each day.
Now beyond the obvious mental health benefit from this suggestion, it will also let other positive things appear, that had previously been blocked by the obsessive binge watching. Especially the positive of life. And more importantly, the positive things of heroism and joy that are sprouting up throughout our country and the world. Things you won’t find on TV, but they exist.
Using Faith to Survive Tough Times
Being a Realistic Optimist and Using Faith to Survive Tough Times
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew [6:34]
During the Vietnam War, Jim Stockdale was flying his navy jet over North Vietnam. Below him, he saw a missile rising up on the course to hit his jet. Despite his efforts, the missile violently hit his plane. He now could no longer steer the damaged jet and his only option was to bail out. When he hit the ground in a small village, he was quickly surrounded and severely beaten. Later to be taken to Hanoi and imprisoned in in the Hoa Lo prison, which was also known as the Hanoi Hilton.
Upon arriving at the prison, he discovered he was the highest-ranking officer. As such, he was in charge of protecting and guiding the other prisoners. This also meant he would be a target for his jailkeepers, who subjected him to extraordinarily difficult beatings.
He remained in the prison for eight and a half years, from 1965 to 1973. During this time his legs were broken twice, he was constantly undernourished and suffered sleep deprivation. Some of his time was spent in isolation. None of his days were easy.
Meanwhile, back home, his wife, Sybil, organized a group of other wives to form The League of American families of POW’s and MIA’s. She spent her time fighting for knowledge of their status; speaking to congress and even spoke at the Paris Peace Conference. For eight and a half years she never gave up.
On February 12th, 1973, Rear Admiral James Stockdale was released as part of Operation Freedom, along with 591 other prisoners. When he arrived on the tarmac, he could barely walk and his eyes were sunken into his head. But at least he was home. He later received the Medal of Honor.
He retired from the Navy in 1979. In his post-retirement life, he was Ross Perot’s selection to be vice president during his unsuccessful presidential run in 1992. He was also an author and president of the Citadel.
After he returned, a questioned he answered a number of times; was how did he manage to survive?He answer was always; I never lost faith in the end of the story, I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.
Another question he had to answer frequently was; who didn’t survive. His answer; Oh, that’s easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart.
For Stockdale this was an important point; which he explained as follows; You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality.
Finding God in a Remote Wilderness
Two People Finding God in a Remote Wilderness
Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
Luke [9:48]
Ann, a twelve-year girl, built a castle on a white sand beach. On top of the castle, she placed a cross. For the balance of her day, she knelt and prayed. Praying and thanking God for saving her family. In itself, this is an unusual act, but the events of the previous day were far more extraordinary.
A mother, Constance, and her two children, Ann and her sister Jean who was 14 had been on a two summer journey in a canoe. For two summers they would go north in a 20-foot freight canoe from Alberta Canada to the shores of the Arctic ocean, over 2,500 hundred miles.
Constance, who at this time was 47, had spent her early adulthood living in Alaska off the land. She hiked, canoed, and hunted in the most remote parts of the Alaskan wilderness. After the birth of her two children, she decided they should be raised in civilization and moved to Tucson. Her husband did not want to leave Alaska, so they divorced. Leaving Constance to raise these two young girls.
After a few years, Constance missed the wilderness and wanted to share the experience with the girls. They planned for a year and decided to spend two summers in a freight canoe with a nine horse-powered motor exploring the wilderness.
Wisdom Gained Through Prayer
Wisdom Gained Through Prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2
A friend of mine, whom we will call Tom, called this week looking for financial advice. He is unfortunately generally unaware of the workings of investing. He was very unhappy with his financial advisor and due to the Coronavirus had seen his saving shrink considerably. Far more than the rest of the stock market.
His mistake was he went with a financial advisor who invested in some highly speculative places. Naturally, in a steep downturn, like we are having, these investments will perform poorly. And these investments also contain very high fees, further eroding his nest egg.
Instead of answering his question, I asked him two questions. The first is what were his goals? In other words, what was he saving for; retirement, a nest egg to cushion difficult times or college.
The second question was had he prayed before he made his decision? And had to go to God to seek advice?
In both cases he had done neither, leaving him exposed to luck and the wiles of a person he had only met with for an hour or so.
Ironically, the same day, another person, whom we will call Sally, called seeking the same advice. In this difficult time, she had a different plan. She was looking to save money wherever she could and was cutting household expenses quickly. To her cash was king. She wasn’t looking to score a big return, instead, she was looking to protect her family.
She knew that the Coronavirus not only affected her family’s health but also her ability to provide for her family. She knew jobs would be at a premium and this wasn’t the time to get risky.
Why I Love Being an American Citizen
Why I Love Being an American Citizen
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1st Corinthians 12:7
In our community, like many others, we can only go out to shop for food, exercise outdoors or seek medical help. In Asheville we are locked down. On a recent trip to the grocery store, I noticed people avoiding me and subtly I was avoiding them. Now it would be easy to take this personally, but social distancing has become the norm.
And at first, I was a little put off, but through a good and healthy self-scolding, I realized it wasn’t something to take personally. It was my neighbors complying with the new way of life. Politeness and respect has emerged in most people I see. People waiting for others to go by, to keep the six foot barrier. Conversations in parks held at a distance.
And it is working, all of the models which predicted a higher infection rate are being proven overly conservative. The modelers have explained, that the models didn’t project that social distancing would work. They were afraid Americans wouldn’t comply. They don’t know the America I know.
As I have thought about it, what else would I have expected. Most people are following the rules. Trying in their own way to eliminate the impact of the Corona virus. A banding together by Americans to do whatever they can to help fight this deadly disease. This is what I have seen in America for many decades. In tough times, Americans help out.
Clarence Jordan And Bringing Jesus to Life
Clarence Jordan And Bringing Jesus Alive
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John [1:14]
In 1942 Clarence Jordan and his wife, Florence, moved to a four hundred acre farm in Americus Georgia. Clarence had just received his PH.D from Southern Baptist Theological seminary and finished four years as a missionary. They called their farm Koinonia. The Greek word meaning fellowship. A name they used to identify their purpose and strongly connected to the first Christians portrayed in the Books of Acts. A Christian commune, committed to sharing their resources and money.
To sustain their farm and community, they began raising peanuts. Clarence also had a degree in agriculture, which proved to be also valuable in creating an economically sustainable community. But Clarence did something very different than prevailing societal norms. He hired and recruited black and white to help maintain and live on the farm. Taking vastly underpaid sharecroppers and giving them a chance to earn a living wage for their efforts. Long troubled by the racial and economic injustice of his region, he insisted in treating all people equally.
Well, this led to a substantial amount of backlash and Koinonia became viewed as a threat. There were bombings, boycotts and Clarence himself was dismissed as a Southern Baptist minister.
The FBI investigated the farm as a communist stronghold. For a few years life was tough for those living on the farm. Cleverly, to work around the boycott, the farm shipped their peanuts to other parts of the country. And used the slogan, Help us ship the nuts out of Georgia. And it worked, the farm stayed self-sufficient.
What is the Value of a Homemade Cross
What Is the Value of a Homemade Cross?
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
As I was putting on a sweater to go out recently, I accidently broke the string to my cross and it fell off. Naturally driven to overthink, I wondered what it meant? Was it a message or something else? I never take off my cross and keep it on regardless of what I do. The string has broken before, I repaired it a few times. But this time there would be no repairing, the string had been repaired to many times.
The origin of my cross is that it was homemade and created for me by a good friend, Key, who lives in North Carolina. Connie and I had helped her with a few things. So she made the cross out of bronze and green wire. And then used string in place of a chain.
I was delighted when she gave it to me and promptly put around my neck. Putting my old cross of the corner of my desk. Key is a sweet woman, with a rough exterior at times. What she has in life, she has fought hard to achieve. Not always understood by her neighbors, but once you get to know her and she trusts you, she becomes very open and kind.
She knew the cross would be very important to me, and with her limited resources this was what she could do for me in repayment.
So there I was, frustrated that this treasured item, that was symbolic of my faith and a dear friendship, was beyond repair. Connie, my wife, as always knew what to do. Go to Hobby Lobby and find a similar piece of string, but perhaps a little sturdier.
Fishing Boats and Trusting God
Fishing Boats and Trusting God
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
A few years back, I had just gotten a new boat in which to fish. And I really didn’t know much about boats or fishing from a boat. I mean virtually nothing. So a friend of mine invited me to go out fishing with his friend, Art. I accepted the invite, knowing this would be a great opportunity to learn about boating and fishing.
The appointed time to meet was [5:30]AM. When I arrived at the dock to meet Art and Mike, the wind was blowing pretty hard. The lake we were going out on was big and wide, which meant the waves would be high.
Art was a fisherman and guide by trade, so the wind didn’t bother him. But it sure bothered me. In the boat we went and as soon as got in, I put on my life jacket! Once we got out of the harbor, the waves really picked up. The boat would rise up and then crash down, splashing all of us in the boat.
I noticed Art was unconcerned, but kept making small adjustments to the steering wheel. I went up front to ask him how things were going. His answer, as typical of a native Mainer, was fine.
After a few minutes I asked him if the lake was rough. Again he answered with one word, yes.
So I finally asked the question I silently had been wondering; are we okay out here?
This time I got more than a one word answer; Yes, I am steering into each wave, I have slowed the boat and put the prop way down.
A Different Way to Serve America
Jorrel “Joey” Diaz, A Different Way to Serve America
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew [20:28]
Jorrel or known as Joey, had skipped school and was with his foster brother. He was a freshman in high school and considering dropping out of high school. As they were roaming the streets of the South Bronx a nearby gun fight broke out. Unfortunately, his foster brother was accidently hit and killed. For a person so young, he witnessed the death of his only real friend and family member. But it was also a moment that Joey chose to change the direction of his life.
Joey was born into an unstable household and was sent to live with his grandparents. At the age of eight, both his grandparents died, and Joey was placed in foster care, joining a house of eight children. School was hard and life was tough, leading up to the day of fatal shooting of his foster brother. Prior to this he had stopped going to school and was ready to drop out and pursue a life on the streets.
The death caused him to rethink his life’s journey and he rededicated his efforts in school. Becoming a model student, he was able to enter a very prestigious college; Trinity in Hartford Connecticut. In 2013 he earned his degree, with a major in Education and Urban Studies.
After school he entered AmeriCorps and was assigned to the East Harlem school district. His job was to help students stay in school and stay on track. After his first year he agreed to stay on and became a Senior Member and today still serves in the same school district.
The Story Behind Our Ministry
A Closer Walk With God
“Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
One day last week, three very good friends asked me to explain my ministry or what are you trying to achieve. Now when I get the same feeling or question three or more times in a day, I know God is up to something. So I thought about this question harder.
This has been a persistent question to me for the better part of ten years. A good question, that at first I couldn’t answer. Always goal driven, I tried to search for my answer in numbers and results. I even have tried various ministry assignments to help with this discovery. Never fully getting the answer to this question.
During my seven or so years in Theological school, I was always the outlier who couldn’t fully explain what I felt I was called to do for Jesus. Every attempt I tried never seemed right. I have given sermons, counseled the poor in spirit and fed the poor. All noble and worthy ministries. But I never felt this was what God called me to do.
But at least I knew better than to just blurt something out to satisfy others. But this day I was able to clearly tell these three friends what my ministry was.
As an outgrowth from my doctoral thesis, I set up a digital media company to test delivering messages to the world at large. Certainly not a local or tangible ministry. But a ministry in the ether of the internet.
I never really intended this to be my life’s ministry nor did I know this is where I would find my place with God.
A Bumblebee of Faith
A Bumblebee of Faith
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.
Mark [5:36]
When I was in Theological school, I would turn to my professors and fellow students for answers regarding theological questions. All wonderful resources to ask and gain insight.
These were people who studied faith, in prayer a lot and knew a lot. We were all being taught; what to say and how to say our opinions. We were being trained to be teachers of faith.
For many their future roles were to become ministers and priests. Sent off to lead congregations throughout our world. A mission to help guide small and large pockets of Christians.
For a smaller group, like myself, we left the world of theological resources to help carry on ministry in non-traditional ways. Some went to help the addicted. Others to work in non-profits to make a better world. For me, it was off to the internet to spread the word of God.
The internet is a different world. No longer was a title or your education an automatic acceptance of what you have to say. A pure place, where ideas reign and not credentials. Folks on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram are tough judges. Each idea you float is either rejected or accepted. Millions of messages are spread every day. The ones that resonant get shared and liked.