As followers of Christ we are told on several occasions to “fear not.” Unfortunately, people being people, read that in a way that supports their particular way of looking at things. Jesus warns his followers that they are in for a tough time and that they should be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” … More The Difference Between Fear and Wisdom

There is always debate about heaven and hell, concepts present in many religions. Going to heaven and or going to hell is an important consideration. Like most things in Christianity, the devil finds ways to use the ideas for the devil’s own purposes. In the case of heaven and hell, the devil works very hard … More Living in the Moment

We have work to do. We are the church, the body of Christ. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth at this time. That’s a big responsibility and, as the Monk would say, it’s a blessing and a curse. I’m reminded of a passage of scripture that is found in the … More How I Treat the Person on the Winning Side

Humans have been worshiping God, sometimes without realizing it’s God they are worshiping, since the earliest records we can find. There are many things that have been commonly associated with worship. Fasting is one of those. In our time, and in our culture, fasting isn’t seen as a primary form of worship. In Jesus’ time … More How We Treat Others as Worship of God

It appears to me that there has been a shift in this nation regarding how we relate to one another. Growing up I was reminded again and again to be aware of how other people were being affected by what I did. That was true of life in general, it was true in school, and … More How to Treat Other People

In my lifetime I have never seen the nation so divided. The divide isn’t just a difference of opinion, it’s almost a hatred of people who are different. Healing this divide is in the purview of the church. Unfortunately, in many ways the church has abandoned that responsibility and has allowed itself to become part … More Judging One Another as Christians

I was reading in Lamentations recently and came across some verses that I found particularly interesting. It’s traditionally claimed that Lamentations was written by the Prophet Jeremiah. This is based on the reference in the Book of Jeremiah to the writing of a lament for King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35:25. However, the Book itself … More Laments and Carrying On

There is something that is no longer appreciated. Perhaps it was never really liked. We live in a world filled with mystery, yet, many people seem to see mystery as something to be overcome. In our insatiable drive to eliminate mystery for the world, there has been an explosion of knowledge. “In his 1982 book … More The Discomfort of Mystery!

There’s one thing that I know I need more of: physical exercise. I regularly attend an exercise class, usually three times a week. And have taken up swimming ½ to ¾ mile before the class. It’s hard to keep the body in shape. (I should say, “in a healthy shape.” After all, round is a … More The Discomfort of Growing Spiritually

I wish I could know what was going to happen in the next few weeks or, at the very least, in the next few days. My life would be much more comfortable if I didn’t have to guess about the future. I suspect there are many who feel the same. However, I have some bad … More Life is Unpredictable