Forgetting God: A Titanic Lesson
Remember, "Not even God himself could sink this ship!" We never seem to lose our fascination with the story of the sinking of the Titanic. Since boyhood, I’ve watched all the oldest films made on the disaster, and I’m ready for every new version of it that comes to TV or the movie theater. A while back, I was watching a special about it on PBS, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the tragic event. In it, the narrator explained that
Warning: Complaining Is Bad for Your Health
Ask yourself: How many times today did I complain or think negatively about someone or something? I’ve heard that people complain at least once in any conversation. The average person complains between 15-30 times a day. So if it’s not you, someone around you is complaining, and that complaint is affecting your brain and your health. Let’s put it another way. We don’t complain. We vent. We share. We point out. We’re being frank. We’re hurt. We’re not understood. We need a
God’s Severity Is for Our Good
“Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’” -Jeremiah 35:17 It’s true that the God revealed in the Bible is the quintessence of love, loyalty, generosity, forgiveness, and longsuffering. Yet he can show a severe side that is designed
Despair: Bleached Bones in the Desert
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? 4 Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my
Pornography in the Church
Pornography isn't just something unpleasant going on in the world; it's right at the heart of our churches. -Martin Saunders _________________ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. -Genesis 2:24 Sexuality is one of the best and most powerful things God ever gifted humans. He created it to glorify his name and to illustrate how human life was to be lived—a beautiful expression of love and intimacy, male and
Bad Religion Leads to Bad Times
Toxic religion (or bad theology) leads to bad times! We need to get our theology back on track. In ministry, besides all the wonderful positive loving persons I've been privileged to call friends, I also have encountered about every form of negative emotions and habits, unhappiness, and utter joyless people present in the church and the world. Since the culture has a way of thoroughly penetrating the life of the church, the two are often too similar to each other even
Sin: Discontinued
Sin is outdated, unloving, and irrelevant. Sin is what puritanical preachers use to control their lemming congregations. We no longer “sin” because there are no moral absolutes. We have preferences and need to be tolerant of each other’s choices. But here’s the challenge—For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If we need God’s help and rescue from impossible situations, we must face our chief problem—sin. Sin is anything against God’s commands. Isn’t it interesting that God’s
Balaam—Good Guy or Bad Guy?
By Alastair Hayward, The Munich Bible Study, Co-Leader From a canter through the Book of Ecclesiastes to Elijah’s great showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, we now look at the enigmatic character of Balaam. Was he a good guy or a bad guy? Why? Who is Balaam? Balaam is a non-Israelite prophet whom we meet in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-24. He is a diviner who is importuned by Balak, king of Moab, to place a curse on
How Do We Face Normal Life Decisions with Faith?
As we go through life, we need to be sure faith touches us where and when it’s most needed—in our grief, battles, and disappointments. If it’s not proved steadfast there, it’s of no value to us. Faith must apply in any circumstances, both big and small. Not just when we’re facing gigantic mountains but also the tiny mounds—the very mundane, disturbing, and frustrating irritations or needs. You know, those things that seem inconsequential or frivolous to others but are seemingly insurmountable
Storm Rider: Drawing Closer to God
Are you going through a storm right now? Something so difficult or traumatic that you aren't sure you'll make it to tomorrow? Don't give up hope. It often takes a storm to get our minds off our own plans and ways and onto God's greater plan—to realize there's a purpose for our life that is far better than our own. Our storms help draw us closer to God than anything else. So when we're facing a storm, let's remember three things as we
