And This is Progress????

In the last 50 years our national congress has passed, and various presidents have signed into law, literally tens of  thousands of laws and regulations, all designed, at least theoretically to establish and define, if not create, an ethical and moral   “good society.” The Supreme Court has issued hundreds of verdicts and interpretations of those laws. Add to these the gross number of laws and rulings that have been added by our state governments and the sheer number and weight of all this legislation and judicial ruling is way beyond staggering the imagination. It is expressive of man’s vain hope that government, any government can provide a safe, secure, and prosperously happy society. It is stunning to see how man persists in this hope in the face of such contrary...

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...

Are you Weary?

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”                                                                                                     Galatians 6:9  “Let us not grow weary….” Do you ever feel weary? Tired, wornout, burned out? Does the burden of being somone chosen by God to deal with the particular frustrations and difficult people that make up your life and relationships in its environment ever make you wonder if it is all worth the effort required? Do you ever feel like just chucking the whole deal and simply taking a walk? I do. One thing is for sure, if you answered “no” to any of the above you will...

What Do “Watchers” See?

We live, but even in today’s semi-isolated and individualistically focused culture, we never live alone. Except perhaps for the tiny portion of our population who are true hermits and recluses, we live among, and are always observed by others. Our values show through our ifestyle and the way we live speaks volumes to them about what we believe and what is most important to us. No matter what our status or position in society others are watching us and drawing conclusions about us based on what they see. No, it’s not a matter of are they watching, the question is what do they see? For those of us who claim to be Christ-followers, does that fact stand out in any significant way to the “watchers?” Is there and discernable difference between what they see in us and...