For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Who is Jesus? That’s the ultimate issue now and it was 2,000 years ago also. Seeing Christ’s marvelous deeds and hearing His exciting, …
Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) We hear these words in Handel’s oratorio “Messiah.” But long before Handel and 700 years before Jesus came the first time God spoke …
One Anothering, Part 4 (Fellowship Among Christ’s People)
Used at Belhaven University, River Pointe Church, prison ministry, and pastoral counseling. Jesus said—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) This posting is Part 4. You can read One Anothering, …
One Anothering, Part 3 (Fellowship Among Christ’s People)
Used at Belhaven University, River Pointe Church, prison ministry, and pastoral counseling. Various Bible translations are used. Jesus said—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) This posting is Part 3. …
One Anothering, Part 2 (Fellowship Among Christ’s People)
Used at Belhaven University, River Pointe Church, prison ministry, and pastoral counseling. Various Bible translations are used. Jesus said—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) This posting is Part 2. …
One Anothering, Part 1 (Fellowship Among Christ’s People)
Used at Belhaven University, River Pointe Church, prison ministry, and pastoral counseling. Jesus said—“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) We will deal with our Lord’s commandment later in this …
Giving Others the Benefit of Doubt
Surely the human mind and heart are deep, mysterious, unsearchable, and complex. (Psalm 64:6 paraphrase) Christ-like Love Christian mercy includes giving people the benefit of doubt and not making assumptions about them. Various Scriptures lead me to this conclusion: “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out….For who knows a person’s …
Planning and Productive Paranoia (Part 2)
If you missed the last post, you can go back and read Planning and Productive Paranoia (Part 1) Quick Review: Last time we looked at Scriptures on Preparation and Discipline and Roald Amundsen’s winning strategy for racing to the South Pole. Application Questions In light of Amundsen’s story, do you need to focus on something like a “20 mile a …
Planning and Productive Paranoia (Part 1)
God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is the Master Planner. He maps out His eternal plans of creation, providence, and salvation and then carries out those plans in His perfect way and timing. The Lord created humankind (male and female) in His own image and likeness to imitate Him in caring for God’s creation. That includes planning: The plans of …
Idols of the Heart (Part 2)
You shall have no other gods before me….Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. (Exodus 20:3; 1 John 5:21) Last time, we introduced this topic. If you wish, read Idols of the Heart (Part 1) Review: What is An Idol? Remember, an idol (a pretend god) is not just a physical image we bow down to. Idolatry in biblical times involved …