Photo by eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on Unsplash Twas the night before Christmas, deep in my heart, peace and joy from above, may it never depart. Take hold without guidance, the reins of my life. Embrace disappointments, setbacks and strife. Worried and fearful, beating my chest, cancels dependence from One who knows best. Knowing our nature … Continue reading A Christmas Poem →

Photo courtesy of Unsplash and Kelly Sikkema “…..the very smallest thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending time thinking about it will never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon … Continue reading A Gift of Simplicity →

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John … Continue reading …and whatever you ask…part 2 →

Photo courtesy of Unsplash and Kenta Kikuchi 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16,17 Verse … Continue reading and whatever you ask…the Father will give →

Photo by Marc Thunis on Unsplash “Seeing is never believing: we interpret what we see in the light of what we believe. Faith is confidence in God before you see God emerging; therefore the nature of faith is that it must be tried.” When I read this excerpt from Oswald Chambers, He Shall Glorify Me, … Continue reading Seeing Is Not Believing →

A Happy Place THE STORY (The New Testament, not the current popular book) gives understanding of God’s desire to rescue His creation from the enslavements of sin, ones that bind us to jealousies, fears, worries, hates and addictions, to name a few. He chose a way for any man (and woman) to achieve the seemingly … Continue reading Fear and Worry (Cheap Grace #2) →

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." was spoken by Jesus and recorded by St. Mark. Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions and their sin was disastrous to all mankind once God responded to their blatant disobedience. Paul tells us in Romans 3:10 and … Continue reading Cheap Grace (Am I Going to Heaven Part 4a) →

But I was saved as a child. I was baptized as a child. Doesn’t that guarantee I’ll go to heaven? This question, mostly from inactive Christians, is a conundrum. (conundrum: [noun] an intricate and difficult problem, a question or problem having only a conjectural answer, Webster’s). Is once saved, always saved, Scriptural? Jesus own words … Continue reading Am I Going to Heaven? Part 3 →

‘They will never accept grace until they tremble before a just and holy law.’ Charles Spurgeon. ‘Evermore the law must prepare the way for the gospel. To overlook this in instructing souls is almost certain to result in false hope, the introduction of a false standard of Christian experience, and to fill the church with … Continue reading Am I Going to Heaven? Part 2 →

  “........And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ When we relinquish our self, IN EVERY SITUATION, to God’s guidance and authority, the result WILL “transcend understanding”. Paul gave notice this gift of peace comes from our relationship with Him, meaning … Continue reading Be Anxious for Nothing Part 5 →

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your … Continue reading Be Anxious for Nothing Part 4 →

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your … Continue reading Be Anxious For Nothing Part 2 →

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your … Continue reading Be Anxious For Nothing →

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like … Continue reading Are The Commandments Just Good Suggestions? →

Part 1 covered a position of belief the Bible can’t be considered reliable in its entirety due to the same ages old arguments. Believing God is the almighty, omnipotent, merciful and loving God He proclaims to be, how could we simultaneously believe He left us with a flawed and dysfunctional instruction manual? Searching for the … Continue reading In Defense of the Word #2 →

How often have you heard or debated the Bible can't be trusted or considered reliable in its entirety because: 1 - the number of authors that wrote it or some books have unknown authors, 2 - the number of language translations or errors in translation 3 - it was for “the times it was written” … Continue reading In Defense of the Word →

Promises Kept “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26-31. The … Continue reading Truth or Glare #4 →

There is a holiness God enables us to reach that transcends any of our feeble efforts. Jack Hayford, in his book, Manifest Presence, wrote his commentary in such a way it untangled a vagueness I felt when giving thought to this or whenever I heard the words that I should or I could be made … Continue reading Truth or Glare #3 →

Continuation of Truth or Glare.....So, what parts of the Bible should we take seriously? What does God say about our stay in this world and about our human condition? It is important to separate religion from our relationship with God in a sense some replace, delete or simply ignore much of His written word. God … Continue reading Truth or Glare #2 →

Reflections or deflections Our determination of what truth is should not be confused with opinions. Relying on intellect and senses alone always falls short if our dependence on truth lies with what we are sold by media, the mantras of the crowd we hang with, or hold to sentiments shared with our work peers. Remaining … Continue reading Truth or Glare →

There is much diversity in worship styles, but at the heart of worship should lay an expectation of God’s presence. The power of song and music as we lift our hearts, voices or hands to God is one of the most powerful tools given us to experience His presence and feel His pleasure. His commandments … Continue reading What Does Worship Mean? →

Continued from previous Eternity blog......... Buying into a worldview that no longer gives importance to the idea of a heaven or hell results in complacency in faith. Here lies the enemy’s biggest trap. Apathy. Apathy or complacency in faith serves the enemy better than any tool, just like apathy in who runs your government serves … Continue reading Is God Obsolete? →

A continuation of “In My Heart Means What” (see Menu). Previously referencing Charles Swindoll’s thoughts on the “hows and whats” we put into our heart, a friend and follower of my blog added this comment (See his full comments below the first Heart blog). From another perspective though, I do think “the heart” much of … Continue reading More About Heart →

Hmmmmmm!? What is your eternal perspective, meaning, does your lifestyle choices result in rewards or punishments in some life when you die? If your life was shortened by accident or infirmary, (and this can happen to anyone) are you currently at peace with what you believe happens afterwards? Most want to know what happens after … Continue reading A Perspective on Eternity →

The avoidance of an atheistic position for those that don’t pursue a relationship with God is a norm today, especially with millennials and gen x’ers . It fits the “whatever, whenever, whoever” times and avoids thinking about the possibility of “His wrath”. Maybe God will let you go un-noticed, but it implies God may also … Continue reading Where Is Holiness? →

“Heart colored glasses” Much thought was given my decision the Bible is inerrant (see previous blog), but I certainly don’t believe in name and claim it, either. The way this works for me is complicated, but I’ll do my best to put it into words. When I intentionally put “remembering God” and His written words … Continue reading “In My Heart” Means What? →

Your Husband Will Rule Over You!? Genesis 3:16 remains a focus verse to those that think Christians do not honor women or consider women equal to men. “It seems this verse is not a prescription of what God wants; rather, it is a description of the way sin changed everything. This mutual struggle for control … Continue reading Are Women Less Valuable #2 →

One argument commonly given over to Genesis is why God would allow an “imperfection” within His creation. Why would this be considered an imperfection? We all have a nose and because we smell unpleasant odors, is our nose imperfect because it doesn’t automatically filter these out? My case is you can easily go out of … Continue reading Is Genesis Relevant Today? →