"I may venture to say that I know and unreservedly believe the doctrines pertaining to our salvation. But my difficulty is in the question how I am to use this truth in ministering to the salvation of others, seeking what is profitable not for myself alone, but for...
The Habit of Reading As An Expression of Love
"'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus - from Mark 12:30-31 Love and Goal-Setting Often, when...
Now What? | Fooling Ourselves, Part 10
Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. (...) But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines down brighter and brighter until the full day....
The Fool and His Bed | Fooling Ourselves, Part 9
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the...
The Fool and His Money | Fooling Ourselves, Part 8
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ?I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,? (Hebrews 13:5, NASB). The Love of Money - A Tough Topic Scripture teaches that confessing...
The Fool and His Stomach | Fooling Ourselves, Part 7
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18-19) A World of...
The Fool and His Tongue | Fooling Ourselves Part 6
The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. Proverbs 10:14 The "Unheld" Tongue The other day I had the great misfortune of hearing one of Miley Cyrus' new songs, entitled Can't Stop. One line in particular caught my attention. In the midst of...
The Fool and His Feet | Fooling Ourselves Part 5
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. Proverbs 4:14-16...
Would You Listen?
I am attaching a file to a sermon I listened to this morning. I am not going to tell you the young man's name. What I will tell you is this: he is not a "senior pastor", he does not yet have his seminary degree, he is in his early 20s. While not a "big-name",...
The Fool and His Family | Fooling Ourselves, Part 4
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ?Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the...
The Fool and His Neighbor | Fooling Ourselves, Part 3
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. (Proverbs 18:1) Created In Community In the creation narrative in Genesis 1-2, the first time we are presented with something being "not good" is when Adam is seen as alone...
The Fool and Himself | Fooling Ourselves, Part 2
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5 The Problem of Pride Pride. The word carries with it so many meanings, so many emotions. There is the positive sense of pride, which Webster defines...
Pity The Fool | Fooling Ourselves, Part 1
The Sting of the Word Fool. The word elicits all sorts of emotions. Anger, humor, fear. Made popular by "Mr. T", it became a comical insertion just a few decades ago. In some circles, it is a casual, friendly greeting. Yet, for most, it still carries the weight of...
How Fast Is Too Fast? | Embracing Contemplation and Calm
Could We Hurry Up, Please We love speed. Fast cars, fast processors, fast athletes. When we go on vacation, who doesn't ask the question, "What is the fastest way to get there?" We are bona fide speed junkies. Don't believe me, then go to any 24 hour "supercenter" and...
The Runner
To enter the narrow way through the gate and not follow Jesus is just as deficient as seeming to follow after him on the way, yet not having come through the gate. The call is to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. We do not enter the gate and stare at the...
Is The Church Ready For The Gospel?
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things...
Hatred of Evil
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Proverbs 8:13a The language of hate makes most of us uncomfortable, especially when it comes to God and the things of faith. Yet, in the above text, hatred of evil is equal to the fear of the LORD. "Well sure, everybody knows...
Living In Community
Proverbs 18:1 declares, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." Contrary to popular opinion, I am really an introvert at heart. Don't get me wrong; I don't dislike crowds or people. I don't get anxious in groups. I...