We have all been taught many things over the years. Some were in direct conflict with other things we were taught. So, how did we, or how have you reconciled those cointradictions? Or have you? On January 13th Richard Rohr will speak to us about that tension. How does one hold two opposite concepts and stay sane, make sense of it all? Do you have your ticket purchased? Anyway, the purpose of todays commentary is to share some things I was taught and see if you’ve been down that same road that I walked. Continue reading ‘Some Things I Was Taught’
Monthly Archive for December, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006 - It’s a time when far too many people—Christians included—get too uptight about crowds, expenses and lack of cooperation. But instead of complaining about what’s not right with your life, how about pausing to reflect on the reason for the season! It’s different than we’re probably living!
The Old Testament verse says that one can set a thousand to flee, but two can set ten thousand. In the New Testament we have this statment that where two or more are gathered in His name….., etc. It seems that God is into body ministry, body life. And yet we still have way too many “lone rangers” doing their thing for JAY-ZUS! Continue reading ‘Networking & Growth’
Earlier this year when I stated in a church service that I did not believe in an eternal torture chamber (traditional hell), I caught hell for saying so. Why do people get so upset about one of three positions that it’s easy to develop from the Bible? There’s evidence for an eternal hell, annihilation, and divine judgment. Pick one! I’m fine with whatever your conscience leads you to- just allow me the same privilege. One family left the church for fear that teaching divine judgment would be a license for people to sin. Want to know my thoughts on that? Continue reading ‘Divine Judgment vs Hollywood Hell’
One of my goals for 2007 is to NOT slander the name of my Jesus, my God. It seems strange in ways to say “My whatever it might be”, especailly when it comes to Jesus and or God. But, while there is but ONE GOD, we each have devised and created our own. I just hope we’re as close as we can get in our finite states to properly describing an infinite God. Is it possible at all? Here’s my thoughts. Continue reading ‘Slandering God’s Character?’
When I first discovered that the very readinf of a text was “interpreting” it, blew my mind. And then it made complete sense. And then I was depressed. And then finally I asked the Holy Spirit to do the reading for me. My life has been changed as a result. No one opens the Bible without some opinions, presuppositions, past teachings, and inate prejudices. So, obviously we’re at the mercy of our ego and attitudes it has shaped and formed in us. So what’s a person to do? Continue reading ‘Reading Is Interpreting!’
I’m not hinting that you should be running stop signs, driving over the speed limit, or parking in the handicap slot. Of course we have to obey the rules. I am talking about the religious rules! In Col. 3, Paul asks the same question: why are you living by the rules, like don’t do this and don’t do that. And yet the church still harps on and preaches the rule book, so we dutifully (some at least) do our best to follow the rules until it wears us out and someone comes along and says, GIVE IT UP! You can’t do the deal! Continue reading ‘Why Are You Living By The Rules?’
We do you know. Whatever you concentrate on your find, if you stick with it long enough. But there’s that which we consciously seek and that which we’re subconsciously in pursuit. Add to that the proclivity for embracing the “herd instinct” and you have a formula for a bad ending. Are you in a real search for transformation, or are you just looking to be approved by some group or denomination. Is the false self staying in charge or are you determined to discover who you really are in Jesus? Continue reading ‘Finding What You Want!’
I have always known that God was GOOD. In fact, He’s so awesomely good one cannot imagine how merciful and full of grace He really is. His unfailing LOVE staggers me! Lamentations 3:21 says that” God’s unfailing love never ends and His mercies keep me from complete destruction”. That I destroy myself a little is well documented. And then ten verses later in that same chapter of Lamentations, God gives me and all of humanity the final confidence by saying, “I will never abandon ANYONE FOREVER“. All are NLT versions. But, here’s the deal. Continue reading ‘A JUST GOD!’
Giving From The Heart
It seems that whatever America does, it’s divided among BLUE states and RED states. It’s a battle between Republicans and Democrats: a battle between conservatives and liberals. Forget about the fact that both camps have good points, the objective is to put down the opposition, seize control, and be like Burger King- Let’s have it OUR WAY! You’d think the church would be a place of safety- a place where love prevailed. It isn’t. History shows that it hasn’t been either. Is there a way out? It seems like every time we overcome one issue, another pops up. Let’s take the giving, tithing, offering issue as this commentary’s example. Ready? Continue reading ‘Giving From The Heart’