As 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.”
Read MoreHave you ever exercised an exploration for the Truth? In a culture that consistently capitulates to relativistic concepts, truth is considered fluid or incarcerated in ideologies of indifference. Try proclaiming truth on a university campus and you will be caught in the consequential clash of world views. You’re likely to be subject to scorn and derision.
Read MoreHave you ever taken the time to consider or examine a spotlight? A spotlight is a strong beam of light that illuminates a small or specific area. For example a spotlight will focus on a performer on a stage in order to make him or her the center of attention. This concept can also be applied to a Christian’s life. This week, my objective is to shine a spotlight of focus on our service to God.
Read MoreWhen my sons were younger, my wife, Gloria and I created chores in order to champion personal responsibility and stamp out the seductive spirit of slothfulness. On one occasion one of my sons was instructed to clean his room and complete his homework before playing with his toys or watching a video or television. The expectation of his parents was well established and he was fully aware of the consequences for not carrying out his responsibility. After an hour had passed I decided to check on his progress. To my surprise, he selected something he deemed more important than cleaning his room and doing his homework. He had paid my instruction no attention therefore I immediately got his attention with my good friend R.O.D. also known as the “Reminder of Discipline” in my home (Proverbs 13:24). Before the application of the R.O.D., I asked my son why he chose to be disobedient. His answer was simple: Because he wanted to do something else.
Read MoreOne evening I was having a bite to eat with my wife and my daughter-in-love and we were having a conversation about exercise/smart watches. These smart watches (with no diploma or degree) will make it their objective to track your daily activity which includes monitoring an individual’s number of steps, calories burned, sleep patterns, stress and recovery. Although we call it a “smart watch”, the watch needs assistance in accessing data. Therefore, it has to be paired or synced to your phone or another mobile device.
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