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Showing posts from March, 2018

God Told Me...

You're crazy We've all heard it. Someone comes up to you and says, "God told me___________", fill in the blank with some crazy, off the wall schizophrenic statement. "You don't say"? "That's interesting"? "Have you been sleeping well"? "So what do you think it means"? Does God still speak today? I mean, really speak? Put 'em up! In some parts of the church these are fighting words. You bring up the subject of hearing from God and all kinds of emotions rage. Defensive---excited---doubtful--fearful--I have no idea what you are talking about and yeah, duh. Let me ask you. Does God speak to you? Simple right? This question is very easy and yet extremely difficult to answer. I am not going to make an effort to bring any of the answers you theologians might be hoping for--you'll have to read some deep theological books for that. My purpose here is not answers, but encouragement. I'm here to s

I Believe; Help My Unbelief!

When doubt comes knocking We say we believe. But believe what? We believe Jesus, yes. So why do we doubt then? If we doubt, does this make us unbelievers? Hypocrites? Some days it sure feels like it! Doesn't it? In the book of Mark, it is written that a man came up to Jesus and asked him to heal his son. The man specifically asked Jesus IF he can help him. Jesus responded, "' If you can’? All things are possible for one who believes ”. Jesus emphasized the "If you can", as if to say, "Of course I can, but WILL I, is the question". And, "Will you believe that I will"? The man replied, "I believe; help my unbelief"! Do you ever doubt? Do you ever not believe? Liar If you say you don't doubt as a "believer", then you are a liar. We all doubt, but does this unbelief disqualify us from being a child of God? James says, " 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is l

Unity--Conformity--Anonymity?

Backsliders "Did you see that Betty wore pants to 'church' last week"? "I did! And her husband wore jeans"! "Well I think the pastor needs to get a backbone and say something before the whole 'church' falls apart. He needs to tell them that they are being rebellious and disrupting the unity of the entire congregation". I have never heard this exact conversation, but I know many of you have--or at least you have heard about it. I happens far too often and in far too many ways throughout the body of Christ. What is unity? The New Testament speaks often about unity. It's a constant theme. But what exactly is it and how does it differ from conformity? Is the church around the globe to be unified or just each individual local gathering? Paul says, " I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and