For so many people, it is important to live life in such a way that God will love them more. They also want God’s respect, as well as self-respect. To have God be proud of them, to get God’s “seal of approval” is very, very important to them. Let’s face it, they know, as I do, that they have “fallen short of the glory of God” and they want to fix that. It’s a very commendable way of looking at God and at life.
Read moreTag: compassion
Bless and Be With Them
Look at these pictures. You and I probably don’t see these kinds of things every day, but we have seen them. There are people in these circumstances and God has brought them to your attention. I call these “God appointments”, which in our eyes are “unscheduled”. Sometimes, you and I have been too busy to notice.
Read moreJudgement Day!
Whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or profess another religion, you have heard of “Judgement Day”. No, not like in the Terminator series of movies! It’s when we stand before God to answer for our deeds and thoughts in life. Was I good enough? Did I help enough people? Was I a drain on those around me? There’s just us, a defense attorney, the prosecution team, and the judge. Wow, that Judge has some desk! How will this play out? (This is the revised and expanded version!)
Read moreThe Teacher
Learn to see everyone as a teacher. Some will teach you by offering admirable qualities. Others will show you traits that you may wish to soften in yourself. Some will teach you to be yourself, because of how authentic they are. Everyone can offer a lesson. Be grateful for every relationship, no matter how long or short! Be grateful for what you have, which so many do not!
Read moreScripture Mistakes!
So many people claim to love scripture, yet don’t live their lives accordingly. True, each and every one of us is “off-track” and none of us has a totally clear and complete picture of God nor God’s plan. I have encountered many people that deeply value reading the Bible, which is good. However, I see little evidence in talking with them that they value their relationship with God. So, let’s have some fun (with no intention of being blasphemous) modifying some scriptures.
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The Marriage Map
Survival tip: Remember, all marriages have stormy periods. Seek professional help. The sociologist Linda Waite says 86% of unhappy couples who stick it out report being much happier five years later. To stay happily married, learn to chart your way through … The Marriage Map
Read moreLove Comes in Many Versions
I love, absolutely love pizza. Make it with a cauliflower crust, chicken, and Alfredo sauce! You can now convince me that I am already in heaven. Ahhhhhh. I also love the Boston Red Sox and have for about 50 years. I also love my tremendous wife, my children, and every dog I have ever had the pleasure to raise for the duration of their life. (Sorry, not a cat person. Yet.) So what does the word “love” mean? Is all “love” the same? I think that because we have diluted that word so much, it’s easy to not recognize “unconditional love” when it is offered.
Read moreFaith, Hope, and Love
Many people don’t like using “old” words from previous generations. Who uses “groovy” anymore? We are more comfortable using words that are contemporary, or at least with their “current” meaning. “Gay” once meant happy, joyous and having a positive attitude. That’s not what it means here in the 21st century. Despite this, the church holds tightly to words that no longer have meaning in today’s world, or are even used outside the church. “Faith” is one such word, and I am convinced it is misunderstood and misused.
Read moreNames of God
Many of us have heard the phrase “names of God”. I have even heard of Bible Studies looking at that long list of names for God found in scripture. Someone compiled that list by going through the Bible and finding every single name someone either gave to God or used to address God. One such list can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Christianity. Some of these lists go beyond just the name and look at the name’s meaning. One day as I was thinking about this, I realized something that none of these lists talked about: I also have had a lot of names throughout my life. The same goes for everyone in my family, and everyone I have ever met. What do all these names mean?
Read moreI stopped believing!
My favorite radio station, K-Love recently had a poll in response to a study that showed most people believe later in life what they believed when they were 13. They asked people to call in and share their experiences. Well, I could not get through on the phone, and even if I could have, it would have taken a very long time for me to give my side of the story. So, here I am, explaining why I am not like most people, and how many if my beliefs have changed since then.
Read moreSerenity Prayer(s), for You!
Most people have heard of the Serenity Prayer. It was written by Reinhold Niebuhr and is extensively used by 12-step programs. It is powerful for those that let it help and guide them. It paints life with a very broad brush, which is why so many people have used it and love it. Not only am I going to share it with you, but I will also share some additional niche versions that many have found even more helpful. You will also learn how you can share a version with someone you love by putting their name into it, and then give it to them by email or text. I am very excited to share this with you!
Read moreOverseas Deployments and Heaven
As I look at the title of this post, I wonder how those two could have anything in common at all. Deploying overseas was hard, dangerous work. We were far away from loved ones and often felt isolated from “real life”. Well, this is about a revelation I was given years after the deployments I made, long after I retired from the Navy.
Read moreWho’s the High Priest?
Many of us know the story of how Jesus was called to defend himself before the High Priest and the rest of the council.
Matthew 26:62-65: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
Read moreWhat Scientists can’t see!
Astronomers, astrophysicists, and others who study space today are convinced that there are planets circling other stars. They have already named over 350 of these “exoplanets”. Interestingly enough, not one scientist has actually seen one, not even through the best telescopes we have! They have never shown up in any picture! These same scientists also believe in dark matter, dark energy, and black holes. They have never seen any of them, either! Since there is no direct evidence that these things exist, how can scientists say with absolute certainty that they do?
Read morePersonal Gospels
Some say that the most important books of the Bible are the four Gospels. Because the writers saw things through their own eyes, the stories do not line up 100%, which is as it should be. In many years of detective work, I learned that rarely do two witnesses see things the exact same way. It’s always from their own point of view.
Witness statements. That’s what the Gospels are to us, to me. Different views of the same thing and each view tells you a lot about the author as well. Here’s what I mean:
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