Have you ever examined and entertained how often our Eternal God thinks about us? It is indeed a tall order to be occupied with what God thinks instead of being occupied with what people think and feel about us. In all of our relationships, personal, private, and professional we are often preoccupied with what people think.
Read MoreSalutations or greetings play a prominent part in the opening of a written document. It is usually the first thing that the recipient will read. Therefore it's important that you offer an appropriate level of familiarity and respect when writing a letter. Our text turns our thoughts to what I consider to be three divine dynamics that are presented in Paul's salutation to his spiritual son, Titus. Before we unpackage these thoughts, let’s consider the term dynamic. Dynamics, used as a plural verb, is defined as the motivating or driving forces, physical or moral, in any field. Dynamic, used as a noun, is defined as a basic or dynamic force, especially one that motivates, affects development or stability, etc.
Read MoreThe word and the condition of being poor is not usually associated with a positive situation. A majority of people believe that the word “poor” points us to a pejorative position. In their mind, P.O.O.R. stands for “People Out Of Resources”. For countless centuries people have measured a soul's significance and one's welfare and joy with by their access to a well of wealth from which he or she can draw. Therefore a poor person will naturally have little reason to be joyful based on outward circumstances.
Read MoreAre you grateful to our God that He rescued you from religion? I am referring to the religion that runs over you with manmade rules and regulations. The religion that teaches that if you trespass against their traditions it would be considered spiritual treason. The religion that Jesus Christ discusses in the Gospel of Matthew:
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. – Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
Read MoreAs we prepare for Passion Week, I thought it important to process the price that Jesus paid to purchase a personal relationship with God for us. A review of the Levitical law indicates that sacrifice was required to compensate for man’s sin nature. As sin separates us from a holy and righteous God (Isaiah 59:2), the blood of an animal sacrifice offered a tangible visual for the cost required to reconcile man to God. More importantly, the Levitical system established man’s need for a Savior. In response, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to fulfill the Law that we might be reconciled to Him (Matthew 5:17).
Read MoreWhen you consider the word “bonus” what comes to your mind? In a positive context, perhaps your smile is on display due to the feeling of excitement in anticipation of an unexpected reward. Perhaps you have thoughts of gratitude as you consider receiving some extra cash, a gift or being paid over and above what is due.
Read More“Getting to Know You" is a show tune from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I. In the show, Anna, a British schoolteacher who has been employed as a governess, sings the song as she endeavors to engage an inviting and affectionate relationship with the children and the wives of the King of Siam. In the opening verse of the song she sings:
Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me
Getting to know you
Putting it my way but nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea
As a Pastor there are occasions when the order of instruction or counsel is on marital relations. So I ask that you oblige me with your openness for this week’s blog. It is a topic that is tested, tried and true for those who are traveling toward the path of matrimony as well as those who have already tied the knot.
Read MoreDo you remember playing the game “Hide and Seek” as a child? Believe it or not, there was a time when children could and would go outside and play with other children. The game “Hide and Seek” was beneficial on a number of fronts: mathematically - you counted by one or by multiples of five; physically - you moved your body to run; mentally - where you had to think and use strategy to hide and and socially - you interacted with others!
Read MoreThe conditions of a world cursed by the fall come with enormous consequences: crisis, chaos, confusion, death, disease, disaster, lovelessness, loneliness and loss. Due to the fallen nature of our world, we can expect difficulties. The truth about trials is not a matter of what, but when. None of us will be exempt from the encroachment of seasons of anguish and affliction or as King Solomon calls them, “evil days.”
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