"My kingdom is not of this world." --Jesus Christ, in John 18:36 Entitlement. It's a word that makes me uncomfortable because I always wonder how and why someone feels "entitled." One can be worthy, but how can one be entitled? The ugliness of the prosperity gospel is not tied to a particular ministry, speaker, or writer. I have no doubt many people have had their spirits lifted and have been encouraged by some of the teachers of the prosperity gospel. So, what's wrong with the prosperity... Read Full Story
Today, you can find God and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Jeremiah 29:13 reads, " And ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all you heart ". The secret to finding God is to open your heart. God still speaks to a willing and obedient heart. "What must I do to be saved?", is just as current in our generation as it was in the Apostles' day. Acts 2:37-38, 41-42 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the... Read Full Story
Theophilus of Antioch (ca. 175 A.D.) Theophilus was Bishop of Antioch. And He is without beginning, since He is unbegotten; and He is unchangeable, because He is immortal. And he is called God ... He is Lord, because He rules over the universe, Father , because He is before all things, Fashioner and Maker, because He is Creator and Maker of the cosmos, the Highest , because of His being above all, and Almighty, because He Himself rules and embraces all . For the heights of heaven, and the... Read Full Story
No, I am not going to write about loving the Fort Hood shooter. Today, a service of memory is being held for the victims of the shooter. Personally, I don't think the shooter should be further enlarged by ongoing public discussions about why he did what he did and what it all means. I hope a thorough, fair investigation will address those issues. What I am taking away from this tragedy is reinforcement on why loving your enemy is a better way. Jesus always knows what He is talking about . At... Read Full Story
I got my first pair of glasses when I was in the second grade. My parents learned I needed glasses because I constantly complained I couldn't see the board in school. It was only in the second grade that much of the classroom instruction involved the teacher presenting lessons on the blackboard in the front of my class. My parents took me to our local Sears store and I had an eye exam. That first eye appointment was decades ago, but I remember it well. I loved sitting in the big chair... Read Full Story
Today is All Saints Day, when we celebrate inspirational Christians of the past. Tomorrow is All Souls Day, when we remember those who have been dear to us, now gone from this life. All these saintly souls are like the dandelion in the picture: their lives are over but they have left the seeds of their faith, health, happiness, and service, ready to be planted wherever the wind takes them. And the wind has blown many of their seeds in our direction. Several departed family members and... Read Full Story
End time quotes. When is the end? God only knows this event. Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Here even the Apostles do not get a clearer picture of his return or of future events. Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in... Read Full Story
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." --Psalm 34:1 I do not always bless (speak well of, with happiness and contentment) my feelings, my circumstances, or my condition. I do not always bless my surroundings. These things are changeable and fluid. Sometimes they are up and all is well; sometimes things trend downward. I do not know what will happen on any given day. I expect and work for good things. Often, things turn out as I anticipate. Sometimes... Read Full Story
How to Sweeten Life The Present and Serious Need for a Climate of Healing What to do with tense and adversarial relationships presented with the new administration Bishop Freddie Steel - January 12, 2009 Saddleback mega-church pastor Rick Warren is right-on when he speaks about the need for civility in the political processes of America and in our culture. It is my opinion that America’s soul is still wounded by events of her history and passionate appeals or demands are made to... Read Full Story
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." --Jesus Christ, in John 15:7 This is one of those troublesome scriptures naysayers enjoying highlighting as untrue and saints silently scrimp away from without answers or explanations. How many times have I prayed for something and it didn't happen? I have prayed for people to live and they died. I have prayed for a job, or job interview, and it didn't happen. I have prayed to stay healthy and I... Read Full Story
