Tag: health wealth and well-being
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Must Respect Really Be Earned?
Introduction A popular maxim says that respect must be earned. One cannot respect someone who has not demonstrated him- or herself worthy of it. I wish to question that maxim. The charitable love (agapé) that God gives is considered unconditional. We should give it to even the unworthy. It seems to me one must also… Read more
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Ministry through Work
Introduction A question often asked by new believers is whether God would call them to full- time ministry. In their enthusiasm for their new beliefs, they wonder if He wants them to preach the Gospel or lead a church somewhere. It turns out that most are not so called. They need to make a living… Read more
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Showers of Blessing
Introduction An over-all reading of the Bible shows that, geographically speaking, rain is a matter of vital importance to the land of Israel. It depended on seasonal rains for the crops to grow, the animals to drink, and the people to live in abundance. Isaiah and Ezekiel wrote of rivers in a dry land or… Read more
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Materialism AND Spirituality
Introduction Over the past few years, I have been listening to Bible teachers on YouTube and their own podcasts. They have brought a revolution to my mind concerning spirituality versus the Christian religion of my youth. I used to simply go to church and practice religious activities then live independently of the spiritual realm. Lately,… Read more
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No Fear of Cancer
Introduction In my previous post, I announced that doctors saw increased levels of certain proteins in my blood work and said that I have one or another form of cancer. Further tests will determine which form plagues my body. I also stated that while I accept that the doctor says it’s there, I reject the… Read more
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To Conquer or Not To Conquer, That Is the Question
Introduction Earlier this week, I talked with a middle- aged man who told me about a young man he knew. This young man endured near failure to pursue his passion for building a brewery for his own beer. He overcame a troublesome partner and the near loss of his investments to succeed with his brewery… Read more
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Defend Democracy. Support the Republic.
Introduction Walking home from the store last week, I passed a yard sign that demanded, “Defend Democracy”. I remembered memes on X proclaiming that the U.S. is a republic. I couldn’t help thinking – wrongly, I suppose – that Democrats work to defend democracy while Republicans support our republic. So, defend democracy. Support the republic. … Read more
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Passing through Chaos Waters in Baptism
Introduction I listened to Tim Mackie and Jon Collins of the Bible Project talk about four major metaphors used in the Scriptures. In the episode, The Mountain Garden and Human Ideal, Tim spoke of the Creator being a Rock in the dry land where people live. He also said that the waters of chaos were… Read more
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How Did Early Believers Do Church?
Introduction During the early centuries of its existence, before Constantine allowed Christianity to become recognized as a legal religion, the followers of King Jesus met in small house gatherings. See Paul’s greetings to “the church that meets in [someone’s] house” at the end of some of his letters. As Tom Wadsworth teaches, these gatherings were… Read more