like a tree

The Gospels are filled with some crazy stories.

In today’s skeptical world, many are too “sophisticated” to believe the fantastical events presented in the gospel story. The stories of Christ healing the sick, casting out evil spirits, and raising the dead are relegated to the realm of fairy tale, made to sit in the corner with Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

Yet, if we actually read these accounts of the man, Jesus, we see a different story. In fact, the reason these Gospels are filled with such amazing stories is so that we might believe. Continue reading

“The only thing good about 29 is the fact that it is not 30.” At least, that is what I said on this day last year. You may want to read that post first. It is called Confessions of a 29-year-old.

It is funny. For years, 30 was that age off in the future. As I got older, I stared at 30 down the end of the long hall, thinking, “At least I’m not 30 yet.”

Today, I stand on the other side of that number. I am 30. Continue reading

Has someone ever asked you the question above, or perhaps you asked it yourself?

Fifty years ago, this question was practically taboo in America. However, a lot has changed culturally in that time. Secularism is the new religion, even when people claim Christianity, and as pluralism has won the day in the public square, this is the kind of question that Christians now find themselves answering.

It is a fair question.

Maybe, instead of getting mad that someone would even consider asking such a question, we should consider its ramifications. After all, to someone who does not believe in God (atheism), or perhaps does not know if God exists (agnosticism), the evidence to support God can easily be turned on its head. For instance, if God exists, why is there suffering in the world? Why is there injustice? Why does it seem those who have the least ability to protect themselves are subjected to atrocities that people in the States cannot fathom? (Take for instance the child soldiers in Uganda.) More importantly, if this all-powerful being does exist and he lets this stuff happen, how can he be good?

Is God a monster? Continue reading

Have you ever wondered if Paul wanted to be a missionary? Perhaps he came to the conclusion that it would be a fun thing to do, an exciting life to live. If that is the case, the story soon tells us it was not much fun. Paul was jailed and regularly beaten for his “career choice.” If his goal was fun or excitement, he would have stopped after that first trip.

Maybe, as I think most of us suppose, he received some divine understanding, some cosmic sign from God almighty telling him missionary service was his “calling.” It is indeed true he had some miraculous visitation from God on the road to Damascus, but he was not given details of his future service there. However, I am willing to bet most good, church-going folk assume Paul received some spiritual feeling or impression that he was supposed to leave the country, travel around the world, and plant churches.

After all, that is what we are looking for today. Continue reading

In Genesis, we are introduced to the heavens and the earth. God said that they were good; it was creation in its perfect state, as it was meant to be. In the middle of paradise, he made man to rule as regent over this newly formed kingdom. In the very image of God, man would rule the earth.

Man did the exact opposite. He did not rule over creation, instead, he let it talk him into disobedience when the serpent said those viral words, “You will not surely die.” As that fruit crossed man’s lips, all of creation fell from perfection into the pit of depravity. The curse of sin spread from Adam’s lips out into every corner of the created order. Sin’s grip wound its way, like the very thorns it produced, into every crevice as all of creation cried out against this tragedy.

Yet, in the very same words God used to curse man, woman, and all of creation for its disobedience to his almighty lordship, he uttered a promise. In Genesis 3:15, God made creation a promise. In that moment, God promised to fix it. He would correct our mistake.

Talking to the serpent, the very representative of evil, God said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen. 3:15, NIV)

A hero was promised. This hero would come as a man from the woman’s seed. The serpent may strike his heel, but he will deal the final, crushing blow of death to the serpent.

So begins the story. Continue reading

I know several who read this blog would not say they do. If you fall into that category, please indulge me for this post. This one is for those who confess they follow Jesus.

Before simply shooting back some canned statement (and prior to continuing on with this post), take some time to consider your answer. Why do you follow Jesus?

It is a legitimate question. As a matter of fact, it is one Jesus himself asked. We find the story in John 6.

The story picks up with Jesus hanging out around the Sea of Galilee. By this time in his ministry, he had gathered quite a large crowd. After making his way around to the other side of the sea, Jesus realizes he has a large mob of people following him and decides to teach his disciples a lesson. How? He asks them how they are going to feed all these people.

What follows is Jesus using the contents of some small boy’s lunch box to feed 5,000 men, a number which does not include women and children. It was miraculous, awesome, and one of those moments beyond belief.

Most of us know that part of the story, but are you familiar with what happens next? Continue reading

Americans like their rights. As far as we know, they are unalienable, granted us by the fact that we are human. In our worldview, we deserve them.

When our country was founded, we started with 10, and that number has steadily grown since then. Many additional ones have been written into law, many others just assumed by our society. We talk about our rights all the time.

We can say what we want, think what we want, live how we want, and believe whatever we want. If you disagree, go live in another country for a couple of years. It will change your perspective. Continue reading

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Jesus (Luke 18:10-14)

Often times, God’s word can speak louder and clearer than anything we could add.

Trust not in your own righteousness.

Life sucks sometimes.

We all know it is true. You get passed up for a promotion, or perhaps you get fired. Someone in your family becomes terribly sick, or perhaps you do. You find out the girl of your dreams does not feel the same way about you, or maybe a tree falls on your car. Whatever the case, life comes with its seasons of struggle, hurt, pain or confusion.

Life has its problems, and they come in packages both big and small. When they do, we have no choice but to take them as they come and respond accordingly. Our first reaction is always one of despair or bitterness. We want to cry out that it is unfair, that this pain should belong to someone else. Then, we sink into despair, and if we are not careful, lose our hope. Continue reading