Think About It

Are you frustrated with those who call themselves “Christians” but make the rest of us look bad?   I think you and I know there are people who wear the name on the outside, but are void of the spirit on the inside.   If you are like me, I get irritated that their claims are often untrue and give us a bad name.   So, what do we do?   One thing we can do is keep defending the truth by calling attention to their error; but chances are their reputation may overshadow our objection.   Is there anything else we can do?   Interestingly, this is not just a 21 st Century problem – it has been around as long as there have been hypocrites.   That’s the bad news; but here is the good news.   The Scriptures give us some guidance on what can be done.   The earliest Christians were told that these types of people would be out there, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, kee...

Herbert Hoover has an interesting place in American history.   In 1928 he rode a landslide into the White House; but by 1932 the majority of citizens couldn’t get him out of the office soon enough.   Following the Crash of ’29, he lost the election to Franklin Roosevelt only amassing 59 (of 531) electoral votes.   Whether Hoover got what he deserved is not the point of this article, rather I came across a quote that I would like to share.   When he reflected on one great American pastime he noted, “Fishing is more than fish.   It is the great occasion when we may return to the find simplicity of our forefathers.”.   For some people, this may not make a lot of sense, but I really like his observation.   I think that it is easy to get wrapped up in the facts and figures of life and miss the life and times they represent.   Sure, it’s fun to catch fish (or score goals, or win a board game, or grow prize-winning flowers, or whatever else we like t...

Do we fear what is about to happen in our world?   With all the stuff that is going on in this nation and around our planet, it might be tempting to worry about what is awaiting us.   Some people fear the decline of morality, while others worry that we are in the final days of the world.   There might even be some who believe that we are about to do some things that will create an implosion of society that will result in catastrophic consequences.   Now, while I can understand the apprehension, the future doesn’t have to be that bleak.   No, not because we – as humans – are going to right the ship; but because God is still in control!   No matter what people do, God’s got this.   Not only is that a statement of hope for His guidance in our lives, it is also a proclamation of faith of His place in the universe. As John was getting a glimpse of some incredible things he reveals in the Revelation he records, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ ...

As a youngster, I remember having to be taught to be willing to give.   I am not sure that generosity is innate in us, so from the early years we are told that we have to share our toys.   We have to be reminded around Christmastime that we need to look for presents for others and, on that morning, we had to be patient as others got the chance to open their gifts – and be gracious when they get what they wanted (even when we might not have gotten what we wanted).   As we matured, a little bit of spirituality was added when we learned, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (I Corinthians 9:6-7).   The lessons may not have come naturally, but eventually most of us figured it out. Interestingly, the older we get the more an...

The other day I was thinking about Jesus on the cross and I had a thought, I’d never had.   As I was considering what all He went through, I realized that not once did He ask for mercy.   He didn’t seek to bypass the pain or avoid the humiliation that came with crucifixion – He experienced it all.   Why?   He didn’t ask for mercy for Himself so that He could show mercy to us.   He didn’t take the easy way out because we needed the sacrifice that was necessary to forgive us of our sins.   He experienced it all – He gave us His all – so that we could enjoy salvation. Centuries ago, a New Testament writer explained, “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those w...

How do we perceive difficult times?   Do we lament the fact that times are tough or do we look forward to being put in a position to showcase the talents we have been given?   If you have ever played sports, you probably have had the thought of being the athlete who, when the game is on the line, had to make the play.   In your mind, does that scare you or does it excite you?   When time is running out and you are the place kicker – do you want to be jogging onto the field with chance to kick the winning field goal to be the hero or do you want to be the third string player who knows they’ll never face the pressure of getting off of the bench?   When the last batter of the game is up and hits a screaming liner – do you want to be the one who catches the ball or would you rather be playing another position, happy that the game doesn’t ride on your shoulders? Interestingly, when it comes to athletics, a lot of us would like the chance to compete, but when it c...