Entries Tagged as ‘Our Country’
Overcoming the World
Published February 19, 2013Jesus tells us that He’s overcome the world (John 16.33). He means that the troubling, defeating, and immoral things of this earthen plain have been conquered in Him. Such are overcome through the “power of His resurrection” (Phil. 3.10). We have been preaching about overcoming, and we can indeed rejoice that through Christ Jesus our Lord we can be victorious. But, we must own it. We must believe it and practice it. “Greater is He (Jesus) who is in you than he (the devil) who is in the world” (1 Jn 4.4). Therefore, take heart…you’re on the winning side! This [...]
read moreLegislating Morality
Published January 20, 2013“There’s a problem; let’s write a new law.” Isn’t this the current mood among our national leaders? Not that laws and order are bad, but a compounding of laws is indicative of moral failure. It’s not the event, nor the issue, nor the solution that’s the problem. It’s us. We’re the problem, and that’s what God has told us throughout the Bible. Not one among us has to make a law in our homes to balance our budgets. We do it naturally because we have limited funds. Not one among us has to make a law in our homes to [...]
read moreAdvent 2012
Published December 2, 2012Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Many Christian churches celebrate this time across the next four weeks as we get ready for Christmas. We light one candle each Sunday to remember the four centuries of waiting for the Savior’s coming (advent). The candles have other meanings too. This week’s candle means hope while the Jesus candle is lit on Christmas eve. It’s a yearly celebration of the “good news,” and the Lord knows that we need some good news today. That’s what the angel said to the shepherds out keeping their sheep in the fields, “Do not be afraid; [...]
read moreWinners and Losers
Published November 11, 2012The presidential election of 2012 is over and the incumbent won. But did he? And for that matter did the loser really lose? Life is full of paradoxes, and so is the Bible. As an example, Jesus said, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8.35). Our Lord was simply telling us to take God’s point of view; things are not always what they appear to be. Being the creatures that we are, we tend to get all wrapped up in the [...]
read moreFourth Down and 30 Seconds To Go
Published November 4, 2012A lot can happen in 30 seconds. Just ask any avid football fan. Whole games have turned around in the last seconds of play. It’s a good reminder for us all across the board: As long as there’s time, there’s the chance to win…or lose. It’s much the same with the uncertainties of the presidential election this Tuesday. The pundits have already decided the outcome. The pollsters are affirming the accuracy of their data, and John Q. Public has pretty much cast his vote for his favorite team, if not literally (because some have already voted), at least in his [...]
read moreWho’s On First?
Published October 7, 2012Abbott and Costello, if you remember them, do a comic routine called “Who’s On First?” It’s about baseball, and through the routine they try to get a handle on the players’ names. So, “Who” is on first base, and “What” is on second base…and so on. The result is a hilarious confusion. This reminds me of our political scene right now…who’s on first? That is, who’s ahead in the polls? It’s really kind of amusing to watch the news media debate the value of the polls and which poll is the most accurate, and what the polling means in the [...]
read moreActs of War and the Christian Response
Published September 16, 2012There are many sayings about how we wish to give as good as we get, “an eye for an eye” and “revenge is a dish best served cold” among them. We smile when we hear these familiar quotes, recognizing our very human response to aggression against us. Yet, Jesus said something else “…whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also…I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…” (Matt. 5.39, 44). Who are we to believe? [...]
read moreBeauty Is Only Skin Deep
Published June 8, 2012We Americans are infatuated with “the look.” It’s especially evident in movie stars and politicians. And now, with the 2012 presidential campaign everywhere we look, we are made conscious of how important looking presidential is to the outcome. The same holds for being Christian. It has a look. The late Jerry Falwell looked Christian. Billy Graham looks Christian and so do most of those television evangelists, like Joel Osteen. They look Christian, but it’s only skin deep, or suit deep, as the case maybe. Just because one is wearing a $1000 suit, like Osteen, does not guarantee his inner being [...]
read moreCruising With Jesus
Published January 19, 2012When the Costa Concordia ran aground and sank in the Mediterranean Sea, I was distressed by the need to pray for all those poor souls trapped below deck and injured in the evacuation. It must have been a harrowing experience. Then when I heard that the captain “jumped ship,” so to speak, I was even more distressed. So much for the old adage “The captain always goes down with his ship.” It caused me to reflect that Jesus, our captain, would never jump ship. It is comforting to know that He said, “I will never desert you, nor will I [...]
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