The Son of the God who loves us.
Most of the Christian world has memorized this verse. I have asked many about it and it seems they focus on one part while missing the other important parts. I believe that many miss the most important part of the verse. If you want to see why I believe that the verse is NOT about Jesus, read on!
Read moreEarlier, I posted about how the Tabernacle/Temple layout showed us how to go from being “saved only” to someone who can have intimacy with God. This is only a small example of God sending multiple messages with the same scripture, or in this case, with the design of the Tabernacle/Temple.
Read moreIn the Old Testament, we learn about both the Tabernacle and the Temple. As the Hebrew people left Egypt, they set up the Tabernacle (tent) and after they settled in the Promised Land, Solomon built the Temple. Both had similar layouts. I confess that reading about them is not very … exciting. However, when you see God’s message in their layout, you can see that it’s a guide to your walk with Jesus!
Read moreI got this from a friend, and thought it so good that I wanted more people to have the opportunity to read it. If you have felt rejected, disrespected or ignored, this is for you. Especially if it happened when you were younger, and the experience has marked your life ever since. Here’s one thing that shepherds do with the lambs that are rejected by their mothers. See if this encourages you!
Read moreRecovery from addiction is not easy. You have to give up your old “coping skill” which while it may have worked in the short-term, it was very, very negative in the long term. It was comfortable, you knew how to use it and you got good at it! To recover, we must work hard not only to stop using that skill, but to replace it with skills that are not negative in the long run! The replacement is very important. What will you change about your behaviors to stop being addicted to the wrong thing?
Read moreOf the Ten Commandments given to us in both (Exodus 20:2-17) and (Deut5;6-21), only one has a punishment promised for the violator! It seems to me that it must be the most important commandment, and not to be taken lightly. It is sad how many modern-day translations don’t see it the way that I see it! Some say “do not take the name of the LORD in vain”, while others say “Don’t misuse the name of the LORD”. There is a huge gap between the two meanings, as they have nothing in common, except the LORD’s name!
Read moreI 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 moreJesus is recorded as saying “I am the Alpha and Omega”, and the common interpretation of that phrase is that He is the beginning and He is the end. That is not wrong. I see it as incomplete. Is He ONLY at the start and at the finish? Is He on holiday between those? Does this phrase of His have additional meaning? In my understanding, it has a LOT more to say to us!
Read moreWant to read some scripture that reads like it was written to YOU? or about YOU? Here’s a way to also send love, or a hug to a friend by sending them scripture with their name in it! It’s powerful and has helped hundreds since the idea was created and then finally put on the web so that it could be shared all over the world.
Read moreI got this by email from a cousin of mine. He and I do not see eye-to-eye on many things, but we are very close on the things that are really important. One of which is your attitude toward the tough times in life. How you handle adversities and obstacles. Here’s the parable he sent me:
Read moreThe main focus of John 3:16 is God’s love for people. He loves ALL the people, all over the world, in all eras, ages, ethnic groups, and countries. So God loves everyone, EVERYONE? No matter when they lived, where they lived, what skin color or creed? Even, those _______ (you fill in that blank with someone that you just KNOW God can’t possibly love)? If, as some religions say, all of us are God’s children, which religion is the “right one”? Or is there a “right one”? Most zealots of many major religions would answer that question with a resounding “Yes, MY religion is the right one!” Well …
Read moreIn my time in the Navy, I was taught that problems needed to be named in such a way that the name pointed toward the solution. For example, when someone did not know how to do their job, it was called a “training” problem. If they did not have the tools or parts they needed to fix something, it was a “supply” problem. When we did not have enough people to do the job, it was a “personnel” problem. If someone misbehaved, it was a “discipline” problem. Yes, when morale was down, it was a “leadership” problem.
So, when we say that something is “addictive”, we are blaming the substance and not looking at the real solution to the problem.
Read moreI am sad that so many Christians “dis” non-Christians. It’s also sad that non-Christians “dis” others. It’s like we forget what we were, and think that we somehow “fixed” ourselves. Yes, I have personally met Jesus, so I have no choice but to believe He exists and did what is claimed. But why should I look down on someone that has not yet met Jesus? How do you truly KNOW that someone exists unless you meet them in person? That these posts appear on my blog only proves that this blog has an author, but not that it’s me! I want to share the attitude Jesus has towards people!
Read moreMany 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 moreMany 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?”
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