Each night before bed, my wife feeds our cat treats. Watching the two of them one night led me to meditate on how preposterous God’s plan seems at times—particularly the way He loves, cares for, and intervenes with us who couldn’t care less for Him much of the time. My mind wandered to Daniel chapter…
Tag: love
Disgrace (Part Two)
Read part one here: https://thevoiceofone.org/2022/04/14/disgrace-part-one/ Just before talking about going to Jesus outside the camp, the writer says, “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat” (Heb. 13:10). Joining Jesus outside the camp is joining in the suffering of the cross. This is the altar the…
Just a Thought…
We do not choose our own suffering. The suffering chosen for us is that which will cause us to give up everything for God or keep everything for ourselves.
Stigma and the Gospel
Social services is my day job. In social services and health care circles, I hear a lot of talk about reducing stigma. There are a multitude of issues that bring up the topic of stigma. The common theme is that society has been judgmental toward a certain condition or behavior; people living with those conditions…
A History of Heresy
Recently, I finished a book called A History of Heresy by David Christie-Murray, published in 1976. Christie-Murray has an interesting background: after 27 years of being ordained in the Anglican Church, he resigned orders to join the Society of Friends or Quakers. The book left me unsure whether he is a Christian Quaker or one…
Depraved and Deprived
“If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the…
A Demon’s Advice on Prayer
The following is something I posted in 2015. I was reminded of it when talking with a friend about how we both felt overwhelmed by people’s needs. This is a particular problem in our age when mass media and social media can make us aware of needs and problems half a world away, things we…
God Is…Cuddly?
This week, I saw “God is love” posted on a church’s reader board. Enough said, right? Not quite. Let’s just say this denomination (at least in America) has christened things that the Bible says are sin. When they say “God is love,” it means something closer to, “God is cuddly, and permissive.” Given that they…
What Is This Thing Called Love?
The following is a column I had published in the religion section of our local paper. It ran about 7 years ago but has been on my heart, so I thought I’d share it. *** Love…. What is it? I’m told it’s in the air. The Beatles say it’s all you need. Some say, “Make…
Lies
“Lies” is a gorgeous grief-ballad by Glen Hansard. It tells the story of a relationship that dies by degrees, almost unnoticed by the couple. One striking section of lyrics goes: Maybe if you slowed down for me I could see you’re only tellin’ lies, lies, lies Breakin’ us down with your lies, lies, lies When…
The Voice of One 