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Ebola and me?
Ebola. The very word conjures up all manner of anxiety within and without. The word hit our awareness when two committed missionaries contracted the dread disease while serving those suffering in Liberia. I don’t know about you, but I followed breathlessly Kent Brantley’s arrival in Atlanta and prayed for Nancy Writebol. Their stories touched the hearts of people around the world. Thankfully both survived the dread disease and Kent now gives blood to support others also infected. The story continues now and the awareness of danger draws close to home when a Liberian man comes to Dallas and the danger grows closer, New York next, and so the crisis develops. …
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The “Ice Bucket Challenge” and the Bible
I love it when popular culture validates the truth of God’s own word. Right now the world around us is on fire; from riots in Ferguson to beheadings in Iraq to war between Israel and Palestine, and throw in a 6.0 Earthquake in Northern California. If you want a guaranteed headache, spend too much time watching the nightly news. Then sweeping the social media scene along comes the “ice bucket challenge.” Perhaps you’ve already soaked your head for the cause of research for ALS. Folks from every walk of life have joined the fun including our just past President, George W. Bush. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJaDBzaAPAc He concludes his challenge by inviting someone…
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Death or Deny? Do I care?
Imagine being awakened by loudspeakers travelling through your neighborhood blaring an ultimatum to you as a Christian; convert to Islam, pay a religious tax, face death or leave. For those of us who live today in a society protected from such overt Government persecution, it is chilling to read of these very circumstances facing believers in rebel-occupied Iraq. Tragically many of our sisters and brothers in Christ face this horrific choice; recant their faith or face death. Mosul, the capital of the Nineveh province is located about 250 miles from Bagdad and the Wall Street Journal reports this ultimatum demanded by the rebels of Christians in this city of historical…
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Looking for Happiness today?
Just yesterday I learned that science now affirms two key ingredients that lead to greater happiness: gratitude and kindness. My granddaughter shared these insights with me from her current college studies in psychology. Interestingly the class reviewed scientific experiments that demonstrate the accuracy of those contentions. Additionally, it has been demonstrated as well that verbal expressions of gratitude, actually saying the words aloud, multiply the impact of thankfulness. Our conversation leads me to reflect as we celebrate today, Memorial Day. Established following the brutal Civil War, Memorial Day honors the lives sacrificed for our freedom. Since the Civil War, Americans have given their lives serving in the Spanish-American War, World…
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Malaysian Mystery
Around the globe the mystery of the missing Boeing 777, Flight 370 has the world collectively holding their breath. Satellites and ships are searching. Bits of data and information keep surfacing and speculation is rampant. Was this a simple but tragic accident or was the plane hijacked and flown to an undisclosed location? Mystery intrigues us, catches our attention. Someone described humans as “meaning makers.” We seek to make sense of things that happen to in our world. Likely because we live 2000 plus years removed from Jesus incarnation and resurrection, His revelation of the world’s most significant mystery doesn’t garner the same attention as this missing plane. Yet, the…
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Hypocrites? No Surprise!
Many people reject the gospel and cite their primary reason to be the hypocrisy of those claiming their name of Christ, whether co-workers, family members or neighbors. Their disappointing experience with people they deem “hypocrites” tops the list of frequently given reasons to avoid any church. In response, we as believers often defensively attempt to explain or excuse the charge by admitting that we are all sinners, and that no church is perfect and that hypocrisy on the part of some need not invalidate the witness of others. However, I’m taking a new approach after my recent study in Matthew. Hypocrisy shouldn’t be a surprise. Consider the very words of…
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Ducking the Duck Controversy
Bursting onto the season of “peace of earth, goodwill toward men” comes a new conflict bent to destroy the emotion of that peaceful scene. Were there even any ducks in the manger? What about you? How can we respond to this new debate in a way that represents the spirit of the Savior during this of all seasons? Several observations from my perspective: First, I am amazed at the level of biblical illiteracy revealed in this debate. Over and over, in print and image, the words of scripture are dismissed as only the homophobic opinion of Phil Robertson. One newspaper article attributed the reference to the Old Testament. If you…
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A Thanksgiving Dare
Did you know that thanksgiving is another definition for the word Eucharist. The meal we consume this Thursday can be a gathering that reflects Eucharist living. Ann Voscamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, explores in poetic prose the power of this simple and biblical concept, gratitude. Ann discovered the pattern of thanksgiving that runs throughout the scripture. Not just the challenge to “in everything give thanks” (I Thess. 5:18) but how thanksgiving to God is exampled by so many biblical characters as well by the Jesus himself. Then a friend challenged Ann with a dare, “Could I write a list of 1000 things that I love. To name 1000 blessings—1000 gifts,…
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A Mystery and A Warning
It is a fascinating theological conundrum. The bible teaches both God’s overarching sovereignty and the free will and responsibility of persons. Both are revealed, yet they appear contradictory. How is a person other than a puppet if God’s sovereignty overrules our choices? How can a person be held responsible if there is no choice to make? Is God diminished by man's free choices? Recently in teaching Judges 14-16 covering the life of Samson, I discovered for the first time how his story illustrates this theological mystery. Both the God’s sovereign purposes as well as Samson’s free choice are revealed in the narrative. The writer clearly states that though Samson…
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God’s Invisible Hand?
Just a short two weeks ago the world teetered on the brink of a missile strike against Syria. Following the inhuman use of sarin gas to murder innocent men, women and children our President labeled this a moral outrage and announced our intent to administer severe consequences for this violation of international human rights. Feelings were mixed among the nation, abhorring the senseless deaths of so many yet hesitant to reengage in the role of the world’s policeman. Believer’s prayed including over 10,000 people who prayed and fasted with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s square on Saturday, September 7th. Imploring God’s mercy and wisdom, yet peace seemed humanly hopeless. But…
