I heard this great story of hope at Christmas time once that went like this: A young minister was visiting an elderly woman on her 99th birthday. They talked at length about her long life and at the end of the visit, the young minister said " I hope I can do this with you again on your 100th birthday. The sprightly 99-year-old replied, " I don't see why not young man .... you look healthy … [Read more...]
Sonship in Christ – Children of God – Authority of Jesus
Understanding Sonship Being adopted by Christ (in Him) fundamentally transforms a believer's identity. Through faith in Jesus, individuals enter into a personal relationship with God. This divine adoption signifies that they become His children, Sonship, ushering them into a new life filled with promise and purpose. The Concept of Sonship Sonship represents the profound truth that believers … [Read more...]
Adoption In Christ: Unimaginable, Unbelievably Mind-blowing
What Does Adoption in Christ Mean? Ephesians 1:5 has believers adoption in Christ being in advance and the work of King Jesus but it does not tell us what it is: 5 He decided in advance to adopt us as his children, working through Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. He was happy to do this because this is what he wanted. The Gospel of John says we were given "authority to become children … [Read more...]
Picnic With Skee: Dragon’s Dinner Dilemma
A Short Story Just For Fun “I wish you wouldn’t look at me like that,” I grumble, laying out the blanket. “It’s not my fault you’re the size of a house, I got the biggest Picnic blanket I could. She snorted scornfully, planting her rump on the farthest corner of the blanket in sullen protest of my words. I sighed, laying down my pack and opening it. “Don’t be like that,” I scolded, pulling out … [Read more...]
Living Sacrifice & Evangelical Mission
Nor“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship”1. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? Evangelical Missionaries Working Themselves To Death? Does being an Evangelical Missionary or for that matter a Christian, mean that I have to work myself to death? Being … [Read more...]
Good News Catching Flies With Vinegar – Mt 16:21-28
O" Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." 1 The strangeness of a message of Good News that is Catching Flies with Vinegar. A Pastor Gathered All The Children A Pastor gathered all the children around him to give a brief lesson before dismissing them for the children's church. He started by saying, "I'm going to … [Read more...]
Communion – Forbearance – Matt. 5: 23-24
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you; Leave your gift before the altar, and go and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift 1. So goes one of the most commonly quoted passages used for Holy Communion (Eucharist) and forbearance. Through all the teachings, parables and prayers of Jesus, the … [Read more...]
Community: Unity Among Diversity – Acts 2:40-47
Some say that we should break down the denominational barriers to show our unity. I say that I am happy to have as many denominations as people want. Including those who are of the denomination of no denomination. That is, those who are theologically opposed to being members of a church. That is what true community is. I have one proviso though. I am opposed to those who do not build the … [Read more...]
Forgiving When You Are Angry
How do you go about forgiving when you are angry at those who hurt you? What do you do to make the anger subside? How do you curb the resentment? What do you do to make the pain go away? I've had many conversations about this. Both with God and others. One of the issues that I had to deal with was my Charismatic church experience. As many of you may know, in Charismatic circles, it is … [Read more...]
Delving into The Past
I have a problem, theologically, with delving into the past of my life and seeking forgiveness. When I was a younger Christian, in fact when I was younger period, I had a lot to do with Para church organizations. It was a big thing back then, to set aside time to deliberately search through one's memories to see what things you had done wrong. Then, set about sending letters or making contact … [Read more...]