The Church or Jesus
Church or Jesus??? Seems like we got confused along the way. Jesus is to be followed. We are to join our lives to Jesus. His Spirit is to indwell and…
LETTERS
LETTERS We don’t write letters much anymore. We send notes, messages, Emails but seldom letters. My Dad used to get letters from a man in Poland. He would take them…
Muslims Go Home
Muslims stay home. It seems that there is a lot of negativism in the US about Muslims moving here. My town of 50 thousand plus has 2 Mosques, 1 prayer…
QUESTION FOR THE DAY #1
QUESTION OF THE DAY In the Garden of Eden, there were few rules. 1. Don’t eat the fruit of one particular tree. 2. Take care of God's Garden (Creation) 3.…
WE TRY TO MAKE RELIGION TOO COMPLICATED
We Try to Make Religion Too Complicated God created this universe. He was in control. It was his Kingdom. Adam lived in that Creation in the Garden of Eden. …
ITS NOT ABOUT US OR EVEN THE CHURCH
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU OR ME OR EVEN THE CHURCH Jesus came announcing the Kingdom of God. He invited us to be a part of it. An invitation that was…
Prayer for Truth
With all the Cultural wars, denominational battles, Spiritual Warfare and religious in fighting I find that I need to Pray daily, “Spirit of Jesus lead me to TRUTH. Give me…
Jesus and Scripture
Thoughts: Jesus and Scripture Jesus often conflicted with the Religious Leaders over Scripture They looked at the surface meaning and often got lost in the words. …
LOST FOCUS
Lost Focus Jesus confronted some moral religious leaders. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income…
AMEN–The End?
AMEN—The End? In many churches, there is a rush for the door at the final Amen or benediction. Nothing wrong with that. But at church on…
SODOM’S SINS A different Look?
SODOM’S SINS A different Look? It seems that recently American Christianity has focused on Homosexuality as THE major sin. Of course, transgender people are included in that. We have a…
What was it?
WHAT WAS IT? My son and I were snorkeling on a beautiful Caribbean beach. Beautiful water, fantastic coral. One problem! No fish! There had always been lots of beautiful fish…
Church Involvement
Church Involvement Many of my friends have dropped out of church. Some over hurtful experiences. Some over lack of commitment. Some????? Who knows. They may not be able to put their…
A Spiritual World?
A Spiritual World? I think it is pretty clear that Jesus realized he was living a Spiritual Battle against the forces of darkness. He spoke of it. He cast out…
KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus came announcing the KINGDOM of God. Do a Bible search and see how many times Jesus taught about the Kingdom. It seems it was a major topic for him.…
A Test for the Brave
A Test for the Brave Divide a sheet of paper into 3 columns. Label one “Really Bad”, The second, “Not Too Bad”, and…
Moral Cops
MORAL COPS When I was a boy, our pastor lived behind us. There was an alley, a chicken house, and a barn between us, but it was always on my…
SPIRITUAL FIGHTING
Spiritual Fighting My verse for the day was: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war…
WRONG PRAYER?
Wrong Prayer? I often find myself praying, “Lord be with me today”. In doing that, I extend an invitation to Jesus to be involved in where I am and in…
TO A NEW GENERATION OF BELIEVERS
TO A NEW GENERATION OF BELIEVERS. Verse of Day: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the…
SUNDAY LINES
Sunday Lines As I went into the lobby at church last Sunday, it was between the two services, so the area was crowded, but I noticed several things. First, coffee and…
Christianity in a Nutshell
Christianity In A Nutshell. Believe what Jesus said. Do the things he told us to do. Isn’t that simple? Yes, but very difficult to live out. Jesus indicated it would…
Different
A little different way of looking at it. Jesus seems to have lived in a very religious time and place. Those who did not practice the culturally embedded religious activities…
LOOK OUT
Look Out Jesus' main opponents were the religious and their leaders. Even among his inner group of 12 was the one who betrayed him to his crucifiers with a demonstration…
FEAR
FEAR Both in the New Testament and the Old Testament, God/Jesus admonishes his people, Don’t be afraid, be brave and courageous or something similar. From those, I assume that He…
Blinded by Religion
Blinded by Religion In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus picked two religious leaders, a Priest and a Levite, who did not see or acted as if they did…
Get in Step, Stay in Step.
Stay in Step It is sad but we often hear of conflict in churches and religious organizations. Sometimes causing a rupture. It has always been that way. The Apostle Paul…
I CAN DO IT MYSELF!
I Can Do It Myself! We thoroughly enjoy our five-year-old Great-granddaughter, although she does have a mind of her own. That often shows in her response, “I can do it myself”.…
Praying As Gods Coworker
Praying As Gods Coworker. In the book, The Scandal of the…
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE KINGDOM
Inside and Outside the Kingdom Kingdom: You have been granted Eternal Life as a free gift of grace. It is a gift you can’t earn. It is a gift of…
APPRENTICE
Apprentice For sometime I have struggled for a term to describe Christians. I dropped Christian sometime in the past because my Muslim friends associated it with the Crusades and war,…
PRAYER FOR CEMENT AND METAL
Prayer for Cement and Metal We were a church group from Louisiana in Silverton Colorado. Some of our women were in the small church conducting a Vacation Bible School. Others…
Light
Light of the World We came home later than usual. It was very dark in our garage. When our garage door opener is activated a single small light bulb also…
Destruction?
Destruction? I have had a problem with some kind of blight in my garden. To get rid of the blight every fall I destroy my garden. I pull up the…
No Supply Ships
Called to go. When Barbara and I were “called” to “go” it was not to a far country. We moved from Louisiana to Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Shortly,…
New Knife
New Knife When I was a boy my Army dad was stationed in Alaska. Since he knew I was into hunting he bought me a set of knives. They were…
What Size Is Your Bucket?
What size is your bucket? Three men came to a well to get water. One man brought a pint jar. One man brought a five-gallon bucket. One man brought a…
The French Professor
The French Professor When I was in college in 1961, yep that long ago, we had a new professor to teach French at our Baptist College. I barely passed the…
SINS THAT SELF-DESTRUCT A NATION
Micah The prophet Micah in the Old Testament book named after him says: A society in which the rich and powerful take advantage of the poor and powerless. A society…
JESUS BELIEVED PLUS 2
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED Plus 1
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED (last one)
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #11
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #10
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 8 & 9
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #7
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #6
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #5
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #4
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #3
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED #2
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. 2. Jesus believed that faith is the key to opening doors every door-- not correct thinking but childlike faith.…
Things Jesus Believed #1
THINGS JESUS BELIEVED 1. Jesus believed God is like a daddy. Bart Tarman as quoted by Carl Medearis in 42 Seconds. Page 114
Who is Knocking?
Who's Knocking Many times in my life I have heard pastors use the passage in Revelation “Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and…
Still a Vital Question
Still a Vital Question A number of years ago, I had a conversation with a man I had a lot of respect for. He was a war vet. A committed…
A DANGEROUS PRAYER
A Dangerous Prayer The Lord’s Prayer is an often prayed prayer. Many religious communities pray it weekly. Why do I say it is dangerous? Because right in the middle of…
REAL PRAYER
Real Prayer I heard of an older man for whom prayer was very real. He would get up in the morning and make his coffee. After pouring a cup he…
A FORGOTTEN PATH
A FORGOTTEN PATH Jesus seems to have lived in a very religious time and place. Those who did not practice the culturally embedded religious activities were often ostracized from "polite“…
AA Open Meeting
I am not a member of AA. I attended an open meeting awards night. Here are some observations I think churches should pay attention to. Medallions were given for periods…
Thermometer or Thermostat?
Thermometer or Thermostat? When I want to know the temperature of something whether it is a brisket I am smoking, my body temp or the air in my house, I…
THE NARROW WAY
HE NARROW WAY The story Jesus told about the Broad Way for the many and the Narrow Way for the few is one that catches the attention of many Christians.…
THINGS RELIGION SAYS ARE IMPORTANT
Things Religion Says Are Important. It seems to…
Does the Holy Spirit Guide People in the Wrong Direction?
Is it possible to be Christian and be Wrong? Does the Holy Spirit Guide People in the Wrong Direction?…
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT Last week I wrote about Aunt Babe reading the obituaries. A long life focused on the past. My Dad had a different view of life. He went into the…
Aunt Babe and the Obituaries
Aunt Babe and the Obituaries I had an old maid Great Aunt, my grandmother's sister, Aunt Babe. In all of my remembrances of her she was old. In her later years, she…
TRAVELING THROUGH LIFE
TRAVELING THROUGH LIFE I went on a trip out West. It reminded me of life. First we traveled on the interstate. That covered a lot of ground fast. As I…
JOHN THE BAPTIST
John 1:19 – 34 (READING NOTES- This was not written as a blog but is a rehash of my Journal notes)John knew who he was and was comfortable with himself.…
Just a Reminder
The Bible has a lot to say about our responsibility to the poor and needy. Here is a sample : WISDOM LITERATURE If you help the poor, you are…
My Inclinations
My Inclinations The Bible indicates we should not always follow the inclinations of our human nature. I know I cannot or I would be in big trouble. For instance, I…
JESUS AND CHURCH
JESUS and CHURCH? Do we worship, praise, defend, build up, work for the church or Jesus? We talk about the church. We work to get people to join the church…
Player or Spectator
Player or Spectator NF L football season is underway. In our area purple jerseys with players names, both past and present, on them have popped up all over. Mixed in…
Sodom
A thought before our celebration of excessive eating as a declaration that we deserve all we have that others don’t. Sodom We often focus on some sins as being far…
Could It Be?
Could it be? In Jesus day the religious leadership opposed him at every turn. We seldom see it that way but it seems to me that Satan was using the…
JESUS IS LORD?
JESUS IS LORD As a follower of Jesus there are a number of things I believe. Basic to all of those is the ancient statement, “Jesus is Lord.“That was a…
EARS TO HEAR, EYES TO SEE
Ears To Hear Eyes To See As I continue to age I am more and more aware, even with hearing aids, that I do not hear as well as I…
Pulling Bitter-Weeds
Pulling Bitter-weeds When I was a boy visiting at Grandpa’s, he always asked me if I would pull up some bitter-weeds. Bitter-weeds had a terrible odor, but that was not…
MISUNDERSTOOD
Misunderstood It is always frustrating to get feedback and see that someone has taken something out of context or just totally missed what you were trying to get across. Most…
CHURCH?
CHURCH? Our Pastor, one Sunday, commented that when we mention CHURCH images of buildings come to mind. These images are usually substantial, solid buildings with varied designs. When Jesus said,…
amazing
AMAZING Some Christians seem to always focus on the wrath of God. Others seem to focus on the love of God in Christ Jesus. It probably says more about us…
A Little Different Approach
A Little Different Approach. Broad and Narrow Way Jesus seems to have lived in a very religious time and place. Those who did not practice the culturally embedded religious activities…
Praying For Me
Praying for Me Be careful how you pray for me. I am in my 80’s. That means I have lived long enough to wear out certain parts. Because of mileage and…
WHICH WELL?
WHICH WELL? Have you ever seen church folks that are constantly chasing something new? Often they become “church hoppers”. They find a church and it is wonderful. The pastor is…
Things To Do, Places To Go
Things to do, places to go. If you’re like many people as you grew up and into adulthood, you had many dreams about your future. Things you wanted to accomplish. Adventures you…
THE ENEMY
The Enemy Suppose during the COVID crisis our medical system would have decided that the way to get rid of COVID was to isolate everyone diagnosed. That way the sick…
BIBLE STUDY
BIBLE STUDY A small church was without a pastor. They called the Seminary and were sent one of their recent graduates. He shows up on Sunday and preaches a fantastic…
QUESTION
Did Covid mess up our country? Or did Covid reveal how messed up we had become?
Playing It Safe
PLAYING IT SAFE All around the world Followers of Jesus are risking their lives and property by following him. When they attend worship, they are at risk of persecution and…
PRAYER AND EXPECTATIONS
I had a friend make a comment to me last week that needed some reflection. He was talking about his religious background, having grown up in a Charismatic church. He now attends a…
A Better Way
A Better Way As I understand it, Jesus and the early Christians changed their world. How? They did not hold big demonstrations. They did not attempt to take over the…
Called to Adventure
Called to Adventure Jesus called people to follow him. That must have been exciting to go with him and hear his teaching, to see the miracles, and to be a part…
On The Reef
When I was in the first grade, my dad, who was a career Army man, was assigned to a very small base in the South Pacific almost on the equator.…
MY ADVICE TO ME
On my 79th birthday, yes it was in the past, a young man in his early 20s asked me,” if you could go back in time what advice would you…
Watching a Bird Feeder
Watching a Bird Feeder We have several bird feeders under our backyard Plum tree. I can easily see them from my easy chair. Barbara from her comfy spot on the…
INTERVIEW
I was interviewed last Sunday at Crossview about one of my Blogs. I come about 40 Minutes in the service. it can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0lLXqmIW4w
The Church of Sweat, Tears and Bandages
The Church of Sweat, Tears and Bandages (Written while on Disaster Relief in Mandeville, LA) Worship for most of us is fairly comfortable. When I was young, we had straight-backed…