I had a short discussion recently with one of Joseph Smith’s tribe (a Mormon) about “the Trinity.” He has been taught that Adam created the world we live in. Jesus is his Son. The Holy Spirit is not a person, but more like a breath. A mysterious influence, like the Christmas spirit. Other gods in other worlds muddy the […]
Suppose you were authorized to travel through the nation forgiving debts. Jubilee style. Imagine if the American federal government had given indebted people the trillion dollars a few years ago, empowering them to pay off their debts, instead of to the corporations who were being rewarded for poor business decisions. When someone sins against you, it is a wondrous opportunity […]
If you haven’t read any of Dr. Gary Chapman’s material on what he calls the “Five Love Languages,” I think you should. His premise includes the idea that we think and feel in different languages, and therefore interpret others’ words and actions through the filters of our language. If they speak in a different language from the one we listen […]
There is a legend (maybe true) about two cardinals of the Roman church who were observing some work being done on a new building – a basilica. One commented to the other, “No longer do we have to say, ‘Silver and gold have I none!’” The other cardinal responded, “True. Nor can we continue to say, ‘In the name of […]
There are many experts who agree heartily with each other that some things are true that aren’t. There are many theologians who prefer listening to themselves and to each other than to the Spirit of Jesus. Some of the theological experts in the first century thought the Holy Spirit was a demon. Learning to discern the voice of your Shepherd […]
Almost everything can be improved on. Increased vocabulary. Improved use of simple communication. Not needing spell check. My attitude toward people I don’t trust. Violin skills. Time intentionally set aside for important things. And important people. Driving habits. New glasses prescription. If I’m not a little better at something than I was last week, and a lot better than last […]
I have just become eligible for a new telephone from Verizon. If I bite the bait and get a new phone, I will shop for the phone that does what I like done. My phone is really a pocket computer that happens to also work as a telephone… I will then complain silently for a while as I find the […]
2 Corinthians 1:3-8 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ […]
Yahweh told Israel not to eat pork. He also told them not to worship or pray to idols. He didn’t mention eating food that had been offered to idols. In Acts 15, Luke recorded some of the discussion and the resulting letter that the Jewish leaders of the Church wrote to Gentiles who were becoming believers and facing some Jews […]
Paul said No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. Francis Frangipane said something like God will offer you a […]