One of the most painful experiences is being kicked out of a group. Relationships matter. We need the encouragement of others. We thrive on shared visions, values, experiences, and simple things like food and fun. However, it is not unusual for followers of Jesus to face the pain of separation or dislocation. It happened to […]
Tribulation: On Groups and Causes Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But […]
People don’t like being challenged. Unknowingly, I pushed buttons recently. An acquaintance posted on social media a slanderous and inaccurate comment about a public figure. I simply asked for sources but it ignited a firestorm of abusive dismissals of me and any position that my question seemed to imply. When Jesus entered the temple complex […]
Prison is not unusual for God’s people. I follow an unjustly imprisoned, tortured, and cruelly executed prisoner. The Bible has a lot of prisoners and their stories, which makes it very relevant to our present “shut-down” situation. Without taking sides, let’s think about what a godly response looks like. Paul was confined in Rome when […]
Another Chance It happens with every natural disaster. Someone suggests that God ordained it as a consequence or punishment of a certain sinful behavior. It has been going on for millennia. Once, Jesus got involved in the debate. There were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with […]
Okay, I admit it. Today I am angry with God. I was so excited at all the things He had been doing, but now it seems that everything is blocked or diverted. All my prayer and faithfulness might go to waste. Why doesn’t God intervene to keep the vision on course? We could be half […]
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2) Fantasies work like freezing rain. When raindrops that are below freezing temperature touch another surface they instantly crystallize. They might hit a vehicle, a roadway, […]