I usually don't have any problems sleeping at night. The other night, however, this was not the case. I had a thought (maybe several) running through my head. Chords, precisely. Our Pastor, was talking about how our Savior was tied to the cross by chords of love. Not by anything manmade. I think His very nature bolsters that, but sometimes to meditate on that fact brings greater appreciation for Him, His sacrifice, His love (and the meaning thereof) and for the meaning of sacrifice itse...

To paraphrase Elizabeth Elliot: When you're completely broken, don't forget God may be using you to feed the multitude. I was rather wowed by that thought. God doesn't really use things that aren't broken. If they're not broken, He breaks them. Being broken, then, must not be ALL bad. Is it then a sign that what you're learning is VERY important and should be carefully thought-out before you emerge? I think so. After all, Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep" three times; three was kind of the...

Site Preparation The foundation of the Christian church was laid out by the Prophets, Apostles, and Evangelists; however, before a foundation can be laid the site has to be prepared for the foundation. Savage landscapes have to be tamed, debris and rocks removed, and the land leveled—all necessary so that the land can support the foundation it will bear. The site preparation for Christianity began with Judaism and heathenism. “In Judaism, the preparation was direct and positive, proceeding...

Wow. I was going to sit down and write a very different blog. I may still do it. We'll see. But I was reading some of y'all's stuff (we do double apostrophes in Texas, it's okay) and realized we've got a wee bit of a problem. You guys who don't regard the Bible as truth have been screaming advice to some folks and some folks just don't understand. I think there's a real need for some loving, kind advice to be given from one Christian to others who genuinely desire that their point of vi...

"Isn't it better to view God as just doing the best he can?" Stevendalus asks. The parent's role is one that mirror's God's role to us, right? Follow me... I know a reason I have to make sure my daughter obeys when I tell her to do something is for more than just safety reasons; its for security reasons. That is to say, if she knows and understands I'm in control of her and her life, I'm then in control of her world. If she views me as strong and commanding, she experiences less fear for ...

Jepel, this is an interesting response. I suppose when I look at all the scientific data in support of the fact that there is a God (And only one at that) I believe it takes more faith to believe there is no God. That's coming up with explanation after explanation that falls leagues short of a God-explanation. For instance, there's the "Tzo." The "Tzo" is only one way of saying that there is a system of beliefs we all, as humans, acknowledge is true at a very early age. A two year old und...

1. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (100%) 2. Orthodox Quaker (89%) 3. Eastern Orthodox (84%) 4. Roman Catholic (84%) 5. Seventh Day Adventist (81%) 6. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (61%) 7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (60%) 8. Islam (58%) 9. Orthodox Judaism (58%) 10. Hinduism (55%) 11. Jehovah's Witness (52%) 12. Jainism (46%) 13. Bahá'í Faith (43%) 14. Liberal Quakers (42%) 15. Theravada Buddhism (40%) 16. M...

Bloggers have written articles bemoaning legalism within the church. I have to say I agree. Despite the fact I belong to a very conservative denomination, I less represent my denomination than I do my Jesus when discussing faith, religion, and the like. My brother and I have separately come to the same conclusion though both raised in the same denomination. And as stated on other articles of mine, I reach my conclusions about my chosen denomination only after I've fully explored my faith ...

I read this in a post recently and was relieved to see someone FINALLY articulate something about which I'd strongly felt for so long. Religion simply implies something you do over and over again. It's prescriptive. It says you must do this and this and this. For instance, you can brush your teeth religiously just as you can go to church religiously. That's why a certain set doctorine is called a religion. It's prescriptive. Faith, on the other hand, is what one believes. In Christian...

Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. But how can that be, you ask. Good question. Obviously, Christians don't obey all of Levitical law. See my response to a question on my last blog if you'd like more info. Why don't we? You see, Peter had a vision from God explaining that all things God made are now clean. God placed a great white sheet down on the ground for peter with lots of unclean foods on it. He told Peter, "Take and eat." Peter said, "but Lord, I can't. I've k...