Over the years, I’ve read things by people who have left the church but continue to identify as Christians. There are a variety of things that lead to such a decision. Some have had bad experiences in the church and are connecting with God elsewhere. Others are reacting to a navel-gazing form of Christianity that…
Category: Discipleship
The Descending and Ascending One
“Jared was 162 years old when he fathered Enoch” (Gen. 5:18). Jared means “descend, go or come down.” Scripture says, “Enoch walked with God; then he was not because God took him” (Gen. 5:24). It is traditionally understood that Enoch was taken up to heavenly realms. Jared and Enoch picture Christ. Jared shows Christ who…
Love not Law
“Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1) Most Christians know that Christ has freed them somehow. What does freedom in Christ mean? In one sense, freedom is defined by what we are freed from. Galatians 5 helps us see the borders of…
Despising the Lamb
Painting by Johnny Mays The following is excerpted from my booklet, “Despising the Lamb: Contempt for Christ in First Samuel“ Hophni and Phineas: Priests of Pleasure When Hannah gave her only son to the Lord, Hophni and Phineas were priests (1 Sam. 1:3). Scripture says Hophni and Phineas were wicked men (1 Sam. 2:12). They…
The Divine Plethora
Painting by Van Gough Jesus died and rose again. The entire Christian faith is comprehended in those few words. Easy to say but to know, to bow the soul without reserve before Reality…that is another matter. The Holy Spirit is gradually bringing our experience in line with Reality Himself. Scripture describes this as renewing the…
Sheep, Children, and Bumblebees
Scripture says we are sheep and need to be like children (John 10:14; Matt. 18:1-2). Neither of these are flattering images. Sheep must be led. I’ve heard sheep can’t care for themselves or find food and water without help. If this isn’t entirely true of sheep it’s definitely true of children. Kids are loved but…
New-Years-Resolution Christianity
January 1st marks the beginning of the new year in many countries. Some observe this holiday by making a new year’s resolution. A new year’s resolution is a promise to change something about your life (usually for the better). People resolve any number of things: to exercise more, to have better boundaries, to spend…
Prayers to Santa
Our local paper publishes letters to Santa written by children in the community. Here is one of the more hilarious examples: To Santu, Mii krismislist I wont usiinsset end a ulabkot u snacset. I wont to sekrokuoil huntr u skoodr bag. (No, your font isn’t scrambled. I typed it exactly as written). The letters cover…
Laying Down and Taking Up
Sketch by Patrick Murphy This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it…
The Tabernacle of Christ (Part 3)
Please read Part 1 and Part 2… More Than Enough “Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than…
The Voice of One 