Posts filed under Christian Living
Thanksgiving
Without a doubt, Thanksgiving is my favorite American Holiday, followed closely by St. Patrick’s Day (mostly just because I am Irish and love corned beef and cabbage).
Shall We Never Forget?
The song by Alan Jackson, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” says it well. It did feel like everything in the world was on pause, on that day twenty years ago.
When God Whispers
In a sermon now infamous among many of us Southern Baptists, the then President of the SBC, J.D. Greear, stated that “God whispers about sexual sin.” Pastor Greear said he was quoting Jen Wilkin. And of course, the now President of the SBC, Ed Litton, parroted Greear (without citing his source, but that’s a story for another day).
Redemptive Relationships
“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
COVID-19 and Governor Cuomo
COVID-19 has done some serious damage to New York City. And it has done some serious damage in many other states and cities across the nation and world. Whatever our politics or religious beliefs, or lack thereof, we must all at least be willing to admit a sense of sadness at tens of thousands of deaths (unless you are pro-abortion, which would be the height of hypocrisy, but I digress).
Comparison - The Root of Many Sins
Recently, I was standing in the check out line at Walmart on a Sunday right after church (I know, I know....really). But here I was. And in front of me were two ladies practicing great patience and kindness with the cashier who was not really happy to be there. They had clearly just left church too. They were dressed in flowered skirts to their knees and their hair was neat as a pin. I immediately thought of a much younger; much more arrogant me.
Vocabulary of Divorce
Preaching through James is proving to be a deeply convicting labor. Over the last two Sundays, we have delved into the sin of partiality, as James tackles it in Chapter Two, verses One Through Thirteen. Though he applies it directly to economic status (rich or poor), we had to explore ways in which we may knowingly or unknowingly commit this same sin in our church today. While I hope I supplied enough examples and illustrations to help my listeners examine their hearts, I want to now add another category of people that I think we often treat with partiality in churches today:
Give Thanks
Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thess 5:17-19).
Little Linda
My wife's mother, Linda, passed into the presence of Jesus on this day, Feb 6th, when my wife was only ten years old. But this is no sob story!