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He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. Mark 3:14 I had an interesting dream last night. I was living in a  post-apocalyptic world. Everyone was living in the woods in tents and mini-trailers, scrounging for food and supplies. I don’t think the dream arose from my television watching because I quit The Walking Dead this season. It, might, however, have come from watching the news. It seems every system on earth is failing. The church is ineffective. Governments can’t seem to serve their basic functions. Economies are in chaos. Families are falling apart. It’s easy to see how my dream might have arisen from observing these things. Things are so bad that it’s obvious that there is much to be done. It is not so obvious that we may be overwhelmed by all that needs doing and may end up doing nothing. Jesus was aware of that problem and had a solution. He certainly called His disciples to preach; but first they were called to “be with him.” I think we all need a lot more of being with Jesus. Without that we can lose perspective and hope. Things look pretty […]

One of the main characters on one of the television dramas I watch died unexpectedly in the last episode. It was all extremely sad. It wasn’t so much the death, but the complete inability of those who stay to handle it. The problem is that none of them believe in heaven. If there is nothing after this life, then why are we here? I don’t struggle much with believing in the after life. This world is so beautifully complex that it is easy for me to conceive that it was created. If it was created, this was done by one so wonderful that this world is a dim reflection of all that He is. I find the redemption story truly marvelous, but completely believable. It’s easy to see, if you look at all, that man is sinful. Only one of the characters in the television show believed in heaven and believed that the deceased must be there  because he was a “good” man. The other, older characters knew better. He wasn’t “good” at all. The biggest hurdle for most to a belief in heaven is a just reason for us to end up there. We don’t have to live […]

Today I decided that when I want to write a really ugly tweet back to a bully, I will post a recipe instead. Cooks, prepare your kitchens. Beth Moore I’m not a particular fan of Beth Moore. I am not familiar with her teachings. I know lots of folks think she’s great. All I know is she is right on with today’s quote. If you spend any time on Facebook or Twitter, there are occasions when  you must fight the urge to blast someone. There is so much stupidity. Folks you know who are mean, disruptive and who have actively worked to destroy a church, cry about how mean Christians are. Folks say things online they would never say in “public.” They post videos that should come with an “R” rating. People who complain about hypocrisy in church, probably don’t spend much time online. You have to wonder about the parents who post pictures of their kids every day. Are they overcompensating for their horrible parenting? What about the person who posts poetry about their spouse? They probably spend most of their time in family court. I am convinced that most of the political posters don’t even vote. What […]

My dear Wormwood: I pick up pen again to remind you of the vital nature of your mission and to give you some pointers for the successful completion thereof. The local church is the key to the enemy’s plan and we must work with great fervor to cripple and weaken it. I rejoice with you in the lower numbers attending your target. However, I must remind you what our original enemy did with a mere twelve and one of which was one of ours. Keep them focused on numbers but remember quality above quantity should be our focus. Don’t forget the importance of communicating. Keep them talking about each other and not talking to each other. Keep their talk trivial and dishonest. The last thing we want is for them to discover the power of honest vulnerable dialog. I don’t hear your charges begging enough to be better fed. It is vital that they consider themselves underfed. Heaven forbid they should learn that they have the ability to feed themselves, or worse each other or the greatest problem that they should learn to do instead of just learn. “I wasn’t being fed” is still the favorite song I hear […]

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13 It seems to me that there is way too much judging going on. The most recognizable trait in Christians is “judgmentalism.” That’s just not right. We are supposed to be recognized by the love we show. I understand the concern that sin should not be ignored. It just seems to me that instead of screaming, “You’re a sinner.” or focusing on certain sins. We need to remind folks that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 We need to stop promoting the idea that as Christians we are sinless instead of forgiven. One of our problems is that it is not acceptable in church to admit struggles with sin. Wouldn’t we serve each other much more if we admitted our struggles and shared suggestions about how to overcome them? Worst of all, we need to stop criticizing other churches. We all like to think we have all, or at least most, of the truth. But the truth is that we don’t. We […]

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15   Last night I once again had a recurring dream. I am back in the Navy and having to pack out my locker. I guess I am being transferred or discharged. In addition to my uniforms, the locker is full of purchases that seemed wise and valuable when acquired, but are now obviously junk: things like cameras and radios that no longer work, things that seemed like a good idea at the time. I don’t think we really believe that without Christ we can do nothing. In fact, I think we believe that we can do most things. It’s just the occasional challenge that requires His help. It’s thinking like that which leaves us with […]

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30 Years ago Rose and I had friends that never seemed to stop. They were good Christian people whose lives were a blur of activity. They seemed to live on the edge of exhaustion. It made us weary just to be in their presence. It seemed they did much; but I’m not sure they accomplished anything. One of the great benefits of encountering God is rest. Not rest in the sense of lack of activity for in a God encounter we get activated to carry out his will. Not rest in the sense of lack of challenge or conflict, because once we encounter God we begin to get his mind and his view on life. That motivates us to concern and battle. Not rest in the sense of being burden less. For to have the heart of God is to be heavily burdened for the loss. It’s […]

I hope I never forget my first date with my wife. It was forty-five years ago and my memory isn’t what it once was. It’s a memory I never want to lose. It was so magical. We talked, a lot, we laughed and had a great time. I remember thinking this girl is pretty and funny and interesting, and most importantly, I think she might like me. For me, it was love at first sight, just like in the movies. I remember that I wanted to spend ever possible moment with this girl, for the rest of my life. Encountering God is something like that. After I get over the fact that He is so awesome and that I am so unworthy of Him, I begin to get a glimmer that He might just like me. I think we overemphasize the universal nature of God’s love and forget the very personal nature of it. Sure He loves the world, but He loves me. He wants a relationship with me. We begin to realize that encountering God is so much more than an obligation. It is something we seek and want like air and water. It is completely essential to life […]