We’re Rich – Why Aren’t We Happy?

Listen to a word from A.W.Tozer; ” I want to bring you my postulate that most present-day Christians live sub-Christian lives. As a result, Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone. Most Christians are not joyful persons because they are not holy persons, and they are not holy persons because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, and they are not filled with the Holy Spirit because they are not separated persons. The Spirit cannot fill whom He cannot separate, and whom He cannot fill, He cannot make Holy, and whom He cannot make holy, He cannot make happy. My postulate further insists that the average modern Christian is not Christ-like. The proof of this is...

Encouragement?

In my quiet time this morning it occurred to me that a word of realistic encouragement might be helpful to some or all of you. As I thought about it two scenarios came to mind… First the macro. These are indeed difficult times and many of us are yearning for the return of the good times of the recent past. In this we are like the children of Israel who longed to return to Egypt. Egypt in the Bible represents the world and its strength and prosperity. Our ancestors had a very consistent record of turning to idolatry after a season of the Lord’s blessing and also first looking to Egypt for help when He brought chastisement on them for their sin. They cycled through this process multiple times. Again, in the macro view I believe that this is a picture of our national...

de Toqueville, the Prophet?

“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the publics money.” “The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of the functions performed by private citizens.” “There are men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” “There is hardly a political question in the United States that does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.” “When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.” “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” Oh yeah, Alexis de Toqueville lived 150 years...

You’re not – I am!

On a Saturday morning in early spring many years ago I was sitting in my easy chair at home, having just finished some pleasant quiet time, when the phone rang. I had no idea of the profound significance the call I was about to take would have on my life. I was at the beginning of a revelatory experience that would change me and my understanding of life forever. It was early and I was not expecting anyone to call so I picked up the phone with a bit of concern. The person calling, a man, asked to speak to me and I acknowledged that he was. “Good,” he said, “I was hoping to see you this morning. I think that I have a message from God for you.” “Who are you, and what is the message about, and why do you think it is for me from God?” I asked. I am by nature a skeptical person...