1st century Christianity in the 21st century
An email sent my way compared the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ to mythological stories such as Krishna, Mithras, Attis, and others. The inference, of course, being that Jesus as we read about Him in the Bible is merely a myth. The Jesus myth.
Continue reading “The Jesus Myth: Separating Fact From Fiction”
Aristotle once said, “Well begun is half done.”
Friend, let me ask—how has your year been thus far? Has it been a good January thru June? Has it been productive? Have you grown in faith? Are you doing more for the Lord now than you were then? Do you care more now for your brethren than you did half a year ago? Is your knowledge of the Bible greater now than it was in January? If it’s been a good beginning, wonderful! You’re only half done!
Continue reading “Half Done: From Incomplete To Complete – Let’s Finish Strong!”
One of the most beautiful things to see on the earth is the rainbow. Depending on your vantage point, you will see a wonderful array of colours, and even may see what is commonly referred to as a “double rainbow.” Astounding!! You’ll need someone smarter than I to explain the how of rainbows, but I can sure tell you Who put it there and why.
Continue reading “The Rainbow: A Beautiful Sign Of God’s Faithfulness”
My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother, for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent … My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. (Proverbs 1:10, 15-16)
Continue reading “Solomon’s Wisdom for Life: The Instruction Of A Father”
Zoe’s team won the President’s Cup in Indiana yesterday! They will go on to St. Louis to compete in the Midwest Regional in a couple weeks. While she played the Saturday game, she missed the championship game on Sunday.
Continue reading “Priorities (guest writer, Josh Welch)”
The opening chapters to the book of Genesis reveal details concerning the creation of the earth and of mankind, as well as many firsts (first man, first woman, first marriage, first command, first sin, first sacrifices, first children, first murder —you get the point). Genesis is the book of beginning after beginning. And yet within those early chapters were are some often forgotten or seldom mentioned tidbits. Let’s note some of them here.
Continue reading “Insight On The Beginning Of Sin And Sacrifice”
The gift of tongues is spoken of multiple times in the New Testament. Mark 16:17 lists it among other miraculous gifts which would follow those who believe. The book of Acts says the apostles spoke with tongues (Acts 2) as well as the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19). In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul mentioned the gift of tongues 12x in the three chapter context of 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. Obviously it is an important Bible topic, and unfortunately one which is often misunderstood in today’s religious world. Let’s note a few things about tongues.
Continue reading “A Look At The Miraculous Gift of Tongues”
OPTIMISM (by guest writer, Josh Welch)
It has been one of my greatest challenges to see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty, to see the upside of a situation rather than the downside, to see the potentiality for success rather than the predicting failure, to be positive rather than negative, to be encouraging rather than complaining, to be optimistic rather than pessimistic, to look for the good rather than the flaw, to hope in the future rather than dread it, to pick people up rather than nitpick, to patiently endure rather than hastily quit.
Continue reading “Optimism (A Biblical Perspective on Hope & Endurance, wjs)”
Series: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament #8
Jesus is God – the Angel of the LORD
David had sinned against the LORD by numbering the people. The prophet Gad came to David, giving him a choice of three things which would come as a result. Therefore, that day, the LORD brought a plague upon the land and seventy thousand men of Israel died (1 Chronicles 21:14). After this great number had died, the LORD restrained the Angel of the LORD, for it was enough. Therefore, in 1 Chronicles 21:16, we read:
Continue reading “Other Old Testament References to the Angel of the LORD”Series: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament #7
Jesus is God – the Angel of the LORD
After Israel had settled in the promised land, but before the death of Joshua (Judges 2:6), the Angel of the LORD came to the children of Israel. He rebuked them,
Continue reading “Jesus, the Angel of the LORD met Gideon & Samson’s Parents”