What is my concept of God? What is my concept of God? This foundational question is the first of a series of postings on prayer. For effective prayer, I need a true, spiritually healthy concept of God. My concept of God frames how I think of him, how he works, how he views the world, and how he views me. …
Jesus What Do I Do? – Correct Question
Jesus What Do I Do? Jesus what do I do is the correct question not what would Jesus do? I’ve never been fond of religious jewelry and trinkets, except for an occasional classic cross. When WWJD became popular, I conceived some value in the phrase as a reminder of what we are to be about, but I didn’t run out …
Enter Through the Narrow Gate, Matthew 7:13-20
The narrow gate is one man wide. This is about my relationship with God. If I focus intently on Jesus, I will find the narrow gate. If I look at anything else, I will miss it. I cannot find guidance from popular culture, my social group, family, or even my church. I must decide to reach out to God on …
How to be Happy as a Materialist
To be happy as a materialist is possible. Dave Peard once said to me that money couldn’t buy happiness, but you could buy a Porsche and drive up real close to it. I’ve given it some thought, and I think I’ve figured out how you can be happy as a materialist. First, carefully guard your base of friends and make …
Christian Meditation for Panic and Fear
Christian meditation serves as an extension of prayer and assists me in keeping my mind focussed on God. More relaxed concentration benefits all areas of my life. Many distractions hit me daily and cause me to lose focus on God and the best of life. This practice of Christian meditation enables me to concentrate more easily and deeply on my …
Temptation: It Depends on Your Direction, Devotional, Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation: Relevance? A discussion of temptation is only relevant when I seek a relationship with God. If my desire conforms to my own definition of good or to a casual, convenient, socially, postmodern, acceptable definition of good; a discussion of temptation remains relative. With no outside standard, I do essentially what I want as long as I don’t commit a …
Not a God of Wishful Thinking or Religious Sentimentality: Devotion, Matthew 2
God is not a god of wishful thinking based on my expectations or sentiments. Religious sentimentality and religious wishful thinking may feel good but give little value or substance to face the difficulties of life. Although I like to feel good, and the holiday season is very pleasant, I must go beyond this if I am to have a relationship …
If You Don’t Pity the Rich, Perhaps There is Envy in Your Heart
Do I find envy a problem? Specifically, do I find envy of the rich a problem? Most references to the rich in the Bible, more accurately those referring to those who ‘trust in wealth,’ warn of the dangers of wealth. Solomon serves as a case study of where things can go wrong even when I start right. So if I …