Tag: ruling in Life
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Surrendering from Positions of Strength
Introduction In military engagements, diplomatic negotiations, even business discussions, it is a well- known necessity to confront one’s opponents from a position of strength. On the other hand, the Christian religion teaches that one best wins confrontations from an attitude of meekness and the surrender of one’s own interests. Bible stories, even the life of… 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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King’s Treatment of Vashti: Immoral or Socially Acceptable?
Introduction The first chapter of the biblical book of Esther records the events of a great feast that King Xerxes (or Ahasuerus) gave for all his nobles and officials. At the height of it, as she was giving her own feast for the women in the royal palace, Xerxes summoned his wife to appear before… Read more
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Importance for Mavericks in Entertainment
Introduction Originally, a maverick was a wild, untamed horse, not a conforming part of a herd. In the entertainment industry, a maverick is a character who bucks established traditions, the orthodox methods of the crowd. There is an importance for mavericks in entertainment. Mavericks in Entertainment Mannix was such a TV show in the late… Read more
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Rapture Vs. Parousia: Which Will It Be?
Introduction Two fundamentally different viewpoints exist concerning the Second Coming of King Jesus at the end of time. One is the Rapture, the catching away of believers upon His return to meet Him in the air to take them to Heaven with Him. The other is the Parousia, translated as the “coming”, “arrival”, or “appearing”… Read more
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Tree of Good and… What?
Introduction Genesis 2 gives the second Creation story recorded in the Hebrew Bible. It is part of the beginning of the whole Bible narrative that explains why things are good… and bad… in the world. This story says the Creator rested Humanity in the garden He had planted in the delightful country of Eden. He… 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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Strategic Value of High Places in the New Testament
Introduction In a recent post, I wrote of the strategic value of high places in the Old Testament. I explained these as intersections of Heaven and Earth, where the Creator met with people to further His plan to make the whole Earth like Heaven. This time, I want to explain how the Creator’s Son embodied… Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong? No. 1 Godly Value: Human Rule Under Creator’s Reign
Introduction How do people determine the best standard of morality? What is the best way to answer the question: What is right and wrong? No. 1 godly value: Human rule under Creator’s reign. Individual Reign in One’s Sphere of Influence Genesis 1 clearly declares the Creator’s desire for people to reign on Earth in His… Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong? Knowledge of Good and Evil = Sense of Morality
Introduction Genesis 3 tells the story of the humans in Eden disobeying the Creator by eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Instead of trusting His provision and wisdom, they took things into their own hands and obeyed the enemy of God and humans rather than the Creator. I… Read more