Does Christmas Seem Empty to You?
Amidst the twinkling lights, snowmen, and the aromas of a Christmas kitchen, there seems to me an expanding emptiness during the holidays. As a child in Northport, Alabama, I recall the smell of a live Christmas tree in our living room. I would lay beneath its limbs like a giant Christmas present and watch the […]
Preachers and Roy Moore: A Teachable Moment
Since Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority swept Ronald Reagan to victory in the 1980 Presidential Primary and General Election, politics have become more and more intertwined with faith. Nowhere is this mixing more evident than in the so-called evangelical churches. The politics of faith has even made its way into the pulpit and preaching […]
Miracles
Miracles fascinate the mind of almost everyone. Even the skeptic who denies that miracles ever occurred must look with wonder at the great stories of the resurrection. He should ponder how the church came to exist against the backdrop of the resurrection stories which were so easily investigated by people who were contemporaneous with the […]
We Must Obey God
A doctrine of convenience has descended upon the religious world. People are told to believe on Jesus and that alone will save your soul. This is a false doctrine contrived by man. Belief is certainly essential for salvation, but it does not bring salvation when left alone. To believe in Jesus as the only Son […]
When God is Silent
“Is there any word from the Lord?” – Jeremiah 37:17 The young man’s face betrayed the tension that lay beneath his words. “I believe in God, and I pray every day. But for some reason, God isn’t answering my prayers.” His words became softer as he continued, “I guess I’m doing something wrong.” His plight […]
The Paucity of Belief
paucity – smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness: There is very little real belief left in Christendom and what little there is seems to be decreasing. That is a weighty charge given that much of Christianity teaches that only belief, that is, a mental agreement in some fact, is all that is necessary for salvation. […]
Consequences
“Consequence” is not a happy word. It has implications. It suggests an unwanted future. It is a result of actions which are likely unwelcome. Consequence is also certain. Some actions bring certain results whether we desire them or not. A criminal will face the long arm of the law. A spendthrift will have to pay […]
The Christian and the World
Christians use the term “World” differently than most people. For us, it depends on its context as to its precise meaning. We may speak of the entirety of Creation as crafted by God in Genesis. We may simply speak broadly of the world as the place where men and animals exist. But often our view […]
Dear Sir: An Open Letter to Employers
You are the backbone of our economy. Your hard work and dedication to your industry have made you successful. You employ millions of Americans, thus, allowing them the assets to pursue their goals and dreams. Your production gives the rest of us the necessities and luxuries of life. Thank you! I hesitate to complain but […]
Luke 17:7-10: The Unworthy Servant
Truth comes in all sizes in Scripture. Some truths are pleasant and enjoyable while others are terrifying. It is true that the righteous will live eternally in heaven; that is a pleasant truth. Likewise, eternal damnation is a truth most horrifying. Consider the truth of Luke 17:7-10: “Will any one of you who has a […]
