Jesus and Money

Jesus and Money Recently in a comment, I was challenged regarding posting my stock selections; the concern from Chris was that such financial considerations were incongruous with the teachings of Jesus. Chris Says: September 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am I find it somewhat ironic and mildly amusing that your blog contains articles of spirituality along … Continue reading Jesus and Money

Christian Carnival CLXXV

Christian Carnival #175 is up with this week's best Christian blogging. Some highlights - The personally customizable, downright accommodating and tolerant Jesus Every as[ect of our lives is touched by faith The emptiness of atheism

Chris Byrd

Chris Byrd, IBF Heavyweight Boxing Champion, was at our church this weekend and briefly shared his firm belief in Jesus Christ with us. He was funny, too. "First, I beat them up, then I pray with them." I admire a man who is in the public spotlight that openly proclaims his faith and thought I'd … Continue reading Chris Byrd

God is in the Big Things, God is in the Small Things

God spoke the universe into existence. Everything is made for His glory, including us. Something interesting a Christian friend shared with me this week. Far out in space, about 23 million light years away, is the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). And that's one of our neighbors; the Hubble telescope can see galaxies more than 13 billion … Continue reading God is in the Big Things, God is in the Small Things

Forced Conversion

I've been troubled by the recent story of the two journalists who were forced by their Palestinian kidnappers to accept Islam as a condition of their release. I'm not linking their story or names because I don't know certain details about their experience, but it does make me question. In Revelations 13:16-18, it says: He … Continue reading Forced Conversion

Jesus Heals

Presumably when Jesus was alive He didn't need bandages, but now you can buy bandages with His image on them for healing. Somehow it just doesn't seem right, but I can't put my finger on why. Healing comes from Jesus through prayer and grace, and a bandage with His picture doesn't fit into that equation … Continue reading Jesus Heals

Remember Easter

Celebrating Easter may be an excellent time to spend time with family, hide the eggs and eat the chocolate bunnies, but remember this year what Easter is - it is the ressurection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Narnia Symbolism

My beautiful wife and I joined Sean and his family for the Narnia movie this weekend. Even though I have not (yet) read the book, the movie was positively delightful. Chock full of good wholesome family values. But what about those Christian values the secularists have been condemning in the news? One opinion said the … Continue reading Narnia Symbolism

Hallelujah!

The politically correct Handel's Messiah, right here in my hometown: Both an awe-inspiring holiday tradition and a memorable religious experience, Handel's Messiah returns this holiday season. Guest conductor Christopher Seaman leads Houston’s premier performance of Handel’s choral masterwork, which includes the timeless Hallelujah Chorus. Would it be so bad to actually say that the music's … Continue reading Hallelujah!

Tithing

Rather than pontificating, I'm simply going to question today. How much should one tithe? As I see it, there are two answers to this question. Old Testament: Ten Percent. New Testament: Cheerful Giving. So what do you do if you're cheerfully giving five percent, but ten percent would make you grumpy? On one hand, most … Continue reading Tithing

Book of Daniel

Earlier this year, I wrote about Bible Fiction on television. I watched part of Revelation. It was too slow for my taste, and the nun who supposedly devoted herself to the Glorious Reappearing of Christ sure didn't know much about the Bible. For the most part, though, they treated faith with respect, and I had … Continue reading Book of Daniel

Church for Men

When Diane & I discuss dating topics with other church singles, always we end up discussing the proper roles of men and women in both dating and in marriage. Usually we end up agreeing that men are not taking the role of "spiritual leader" properly in accordance with Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 11. The … Continue reading Church for Men

A Faith Vacuum

A faith vacuum haunts Europe There was a time when Europe would justly refer to itself as "Christendom." Europeans built the Continent's loveliest edifices to accommodate their acts of worship. They quarreled bitterly over the distinction between transubstantiation and consubstantiation. As pilgrims, missionaries and conquistadors, they sailed to the four corners of the Earth, intent … Continue reading A Faith Vacuum

Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Looking for Christian reading material? There are so many titles out there, it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Christianity Today has listed the top Christian books for 2005, divided into several catagories: Apologetics / Evangelism: Christian Living: Biblical Studies: History / Biography: Christianity and Culture: Missions and Global Affairs: The Church / … Continue reading Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Monday Linkfest

The busy weekend is over. Whew. Friday was a visit to the county clerk to sign up for a marriage license. The clerk looked at our drivers licenses suspiciously. "You have the same last name," she said. Bah, let her wonder. 😛 Saturday was the Spring Fling (I posted a picture over the weekend). Diane … Continue reading Monday Linkfest

Today's Topics

All serious topics for today: A group of former homosexuals have found that homosexuality can be overcome with strength from Jesus. They're putting up billboards, too. Exodus International says that change is possible. The ACLU is attacking the Boy Scouts again saying the pledge "to do my duty to God and my country" makes them … Continue reading Today's Topics

Chocolate Crosses

Mmmm.... cholocate crosses for Easter.... yummy.... The article quotes "some religious officials" who object to the chocolate crosses by Russell Stover Candies. Now, I may be a little opinionated on religious issues, you may have noticed. 😛 But I don't think chocolate crosses are offensive at all. The whole message of Good Friday and Easter … Continue reading Chocolate Crosses

Testify

Matthew 12:34: For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. I've been asked to share my testimony at Second Baptist church this weekend. Everybody that comes to Christ has a story about how they finally gave up their stubborn ways and finally listened to what God has been saying to them. I … Continue reading Testify

Rejoice

I'm looking at today's "Verse of the Day," which is a subset of a lesson I've recently been studying. Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have [a]peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this [b]grace in which we now stand. … Continue reading Rejoice

How Faith Works

Coffeeswirls has a very nice article about faith and how it works. From my limited understanding of other major religions, he's done a good job of capturing how each deals with faith: Buddhism: Ignorance is the roadblock to salvation. Ignorance is found in your belief that you and the world actually exist. If we stop … Continue reading How Faith Works

Faking God

Kathleen Parker writes a fantastic article about how religion didn't "work" for the Democrats during this election. Through their post-election soul-searching, Democratic leaders claim to have seen the light. The reason they lost - and the way to win - is God. It was precisely this sort of insight for which God created Monday mornings. … Continue reading Faking God