In order to have the blessings in life, you must deal with some of the less pleasant tasks that get you those blessings.
Category: godliness
Better Than Fake News
If you have ever witnessed an accident, or been in a court case to hear the testimony about an accident, you know that the witnesses to that one accident can have very different accounts. Some of that is influenced by where they were when it happened. Were they in one of the cars? Were they … Continue reading Better Than Fake News
Remembering Your ABC’s
Years ago, when I taught at a Christian school for special needs students, I told my oldest daughter that I was going to be teaching history. She heard that and said: “History is boring,” with an emphasis on “boring.” I told her, “Not when I teach it!” Not to toot my own horn, but my … Continue reading Remembering Your ABC’s
The Bible is Not a Coffee Table Book
The other day I had to rebuild our front porch. Although the house we bought up here is solidly built, the porch that was original to the house was showing its age. The wood was never treated and the supports were put directly into the ground with no footers. Water damage had eaten away at … Continue reading The Bible is Not a Coffee Table Book
Spiritual Myopia
I discovered my need for glasses in college. Friends would say “hi” to me and I would just squint at them, trying to figure out who they were and if they were talking to me. They’d often tease me for being aloof, but I wasn’t trying to be. I was just trying to identify them. … Continue reading Spiritual Myopia
Driving a Car Does Not Make You a Mechanic
Driving a car does not make you a mechanic any more than breathing makes you a pulmonologist. Experience as a mechanic makes you a mechanic. When we lived in Greenville, we had a great mechanic. I’ll call him “Joe.” Joe knew cars like nobody else. I could describe to him an issue I was having … Continue reading Driving a Car Does Not Make You a Mechanic
The Mag Seven (Part 2)
Yesterday, we started talking about Scripture’s “Magnificent Seven” and covered virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), and patience (endurance). We’ll finish that up with the last three of the Mag Seven: godliness, brotherly kindness and charity (love). “Godliness” means “God-likeness.” God created mankind to be an image bearer of Himself. “And God said, ‘Let us make man … Continue reading The Mag Seven (Part 2)
The Mag Seven
The Magnificent Seven is a classic Western about seven gunfighters hired to protect a small village from marauding bandits. In 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter mentions Scripture’s magnificent seven, they are character qualities of the Christian walk that are vital in protecting us from the marauding influences of sin in our lives. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (5) … Continue reading The Mag Seven
Three Affirmations
Peter declares himself the author of Second Peter, mentions his office as apostle to establish his credentials and then hurries to make the point that he and his readers enjoy equal standing before God on the basis of their faith in Jesus Christ: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them … Continue reading Three Affirmations
Living the Example
I’m not a huge fan of board games (except maybe for Monopoly). To me, most board games are more like “bored” games and nothing is more frustrating to me than to have someone pull out the rule book and start reading it before we can start playing. Usually about an eighth into the first paragraph … Continue reading Living the Example
Grace in Waves 