“The idea that God will pardon a rebel who has not given up his rebellion is contrary both to the Scriptures and to common sense.”
Worshipping our worship
How far are we willing to go to see God’s will be done? Are we willing to give up musical styles that only we appreciate? Are we willing to give up religious terminology that only we understand? Are we willing to give up Bible dialects that even we can’t fully comprehend? If our traditions cause innocent seekers to stumble and fall before they can enter the narrow gate, our traditions might as well be millstones around our necks. We might as well drown ourselves now.
Tortures not worth speaking of
“… There is but one remedy, one medicine, which can cure all their infirmities; and this remedy gives to me also strength, and life, and cheerfulness to suffer all these fears and afflictions, which are but momentary, and not worth speaking of; this is the hope which I have placed in heaven.”
– Algerius,Martyrs Mirror, p. 570-573
Civilized to distraction
“Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down by destroying our solitude.”
Secure, gated community – available now!
One day, as I watched the automatic gate close at my apartment complex, my mind wandered to other institutions that feature security gates. There is one in Huntsville, Texas, and one in Leavenworth, Kansas, for example. It helped me realize there is a difference between security and freedom. So I created a secure, gated community poster, to illustrate my point. I don’t live in a gated community anymore.
The Spirit desires a vacuum.
“The average Christian is so cold and so contented with His wretched condition that there is no vacuum of desire into which the blessed Spirit can rush in satisfying fullness.”
You call that prayer in school?
Not meaning to offend anybody, but I’m not looking forward to the return of required prayer in school. For many young people, who don’t know God and don’t want to, being forced to pray to God is like being forced to kiss a maiden aunt. Like kissing, prayer is more satisfying when done willingly.
I acknowledge that a return to common moral values is necessary if America is to survive. But Continue reading “You call that prayer in school?”
Don’t be contented.
“Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress. The contented soul is the stagnant soul.”
Beyond congregationalism
The Christian leaders I’ve associated with have always said they want to be a New Testament church. But usually, they mean they want to be a New Testament congregation. Paul, however, clearly wrote about authority and involvement in multiple congregations. (Of course, maybe you believe that God put things in the Bible that don’t apply to us today). Continue reading “Beyond congregationalism”
Weight Watchers Sudan Ltd.
In America, as many as 80% of fourth-grade girls are on a diet, even though only one quarter of them are overweight. In other countries, many people would love to get their hands on some good high-calorie food. That was the inspiration for this Lose Weight Fast – Ask Me How poster. Of course, World Vision is not responsible for this attempt at humor, even though I put their phone number on the poster. Hmm, I wonder how much it would cost to open a Weight Watchers franchise in Sudan….
