Category Archives: Coming to God

It Feels True and Is True

We’ve all had that nightmare where we were in some terrible situation and couldn’t find our way out no matter how hard we tried. We woke up in a sweat with our heart pounding and then came to the relieved realization that it was only a bad dream. Still, it seemed so real. Sadly, manyContinue reading “It Feels True and Is True”

The Best Thing About Church

The best thing about the church isn’t its cutting edge methodologies, its seeker sensitivities, or its involvement in the latest, greatest, social cause. It’s not its ministries, outreach, or benevolence. Neither is it Lord’s Suppers, sweet singing, or humble prayers. The best thing about the church isn’t its presence on social media, hospitality, or smallContinue reading “The Best Thing About Church”

Puffed Up and Proud

Most of us are familiar with the puffer fish. We’ve seen pictures of them in their bloated state where they look like they are auditioning for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Not surprisingly, balloon fish is another name for them). Blowing themselves up is a defensive response the fish make to any perceived danger—they quicklyContinue reading “Puffed Up and Proud”

Taking Off Our Sandals

Tim Friede has been bitten by poisonous snakes over 200 times in 17 years. It hasn’t killed him because his body has somehow developed an immunity to snake venom. He demonstrated this recently while being interviewed, when he allowed a Black Mamba to bite him several times. Normally, a Mamba’s bite can be fatal inContinue reading “Taking Off Our Sandals”

And What Gets You Out of Bed?

The Sabbath had been anything but a day of rest for Him who was its Lord! He had taught in the synagogue, casting an evil spirit out of one of the people there. Then He retreated to the home of Peter and Andrew where He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. After darkness set in there was a knock at the door—”theContinue reading “And What Gets You Out of Bed?”

Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding

Hypocrisy is one of those words that’s easy to bandy about with little or no thought as to what the word actually means. It’s an extreme term that tends to be over-employed because people want to show their outrage or throw a verbal hand grenade (as opposed to being accurate and truthful in their speech).Continue reading “Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding”

Guilt, Shame, and Grace

Guilt and shame are two of the most powerful spiritual forces known to humanity. The two words are interchangeable for most people, but strictly speaking, guilt is what we experience when we do something wrong, while shame is what we experience when we are wrong. Guilt is more about the deed and shame is moreContinue reading “Guilt, Shame, and Grace”

Repentance and Coming to God

One of the ways that a faith that is full, alive, and vital will manifest itself is in what the Scripture refers to as repentance.       (I’ve borrowed significantly from J.W. McGarvey on the first three points). 1.  Repentance is more than being sorry about your sins.  In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul is discussing an earlier letter he wrote to theContinue reading “Repentance and Coming to God”