I have a friend whose name is Mohammad. He is not Muslim. When he describes himself, he says he is Persian. Many people named Mohammad would identify themselves as Muslims, even though they have no more devotion to Mohammad’s god than my friend does. Many church members are called “nominal” Christians, which describes them as “in name only.” Their association with the church is social or tribal, but not spiritual. […]
Category Archives: Discipleship
Life That Makes Sense
The universe, the atom, life, death – none of these make sense apart from their relationships to their Creator. Scientists who try to explain any thing apart from what Yahweh says about that thing will create ridiculous answers. Their names for the poles of the earth are “Arctic” and “Antarctic.” Those words are derived from “bears” and “against bears.” The big dipper is the big bear, and the little dipper […]
Valuable Problems
In any relationship, when a problem develops, it can cause the relationship to end. It can seem the relationship is over even on days when it actually isn’t. If you’re in some disagreement or confusion in a relationship, sit on the same side of the table to discuss it or figure it out or fix it. Use “we” in sentences and avoid “you” or “I.” Every time a problem has […]
Revealed in Darkness
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last. When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” All the […]
Being Prepared for Purpose
A friend just started purchasing classes at an American University. She is not yet sure, however, what sort of work she will be doing in 4 (or more) years. Another friend is 22, and has no intention of beginning the process of buying an education until he has decided what he might see as a purposeful way of living his life. A married couple of friends, about age 60, just […]
Being Reliable
The moon is reliable. Because the moon is reliable, the tides are reliable. Because the tides are reliable, it is possible for ships to dock and depart and to safely navigate bays and waterways that can’t be navigated during low tides. The moon is reliable because it doesn’t have a choice. It is reliable because some other heavenly body with no choice has not hit it and changed its course […]
Fear and Joy
Which is more costly – the presence of fear and pain, or the absence of joy and faith? How much could we decrease the effects of pain and fear by increasing the demands we place on joy and faith? So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, […]
Righteous Deeds
Righteousness includes both the making of proper decisions in moral and practical terms, and the making of decisions that are under the direction of the Holy Spirit of Jesus even in moments when we are not feeling led, but we asked for guidance and proceeded as seemed best. In fact, the place of maturity is to be so submitted that we begin to believe it would be hard to make […]
A Key to Success
All it really takes to be successful in life is to believe Yahweh and obey Him. Do not expect being successful to make you popular, though. Nobody listened to the reports offered by Joshua and Caleb as they reported on their spy mission trip. In spite of the unpopularity at the time, their names are remembered. Nobody has memorized the names of the 10 punks, even though they were extremely […]
Commitment Imposes Restriction
Really being committed to the Kingdom of Heaven includes considering the values of time, money, property, relationships and skills in light of their values to Jesus. Beyond what value anything has or fails to have to Him, discovering what He wants to do with that value and doing it will bring more valuable things into your care as you prove trustworthy. “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 […]