Christian Life

Is God Judging Us or Disciplining Us? - Part 1

To Embrace All of Christ, Steer Clear of Quashing Him and Cherry-Picking His Teachings

To Embrace All of Christ, Steer Clear of Quashing Him and Cherry-Picking His Teachings

During young adulthood, Mark, who was uninterested in Christ, worked as a laborer painting houses. He often worked alongside another young man, who was a strong believer in Christ.

Is God Judging Us or Disciplining Us? - Part 2

Is God Judging Us or Disciplining Us? - Part 2

In part 1, we discussed the first of two erroneous ideas many Christ-followers have: I must pay for certain sins in spite of what the Bible says to the contrary. In part 2, we will look at the opposite side of the spectrum, where many do not fully understand the full weightiness of their sins, and in return make an equally dangerous mistake.

Is God Judging Us or Disciplining Us? - Part 1

Is God Judging Us or Disciplining Us? - Part 1

Do you remember the old village stocks? They were wooden structures positioned in the village square. Many had a hole through which the head was placed, and two holes for the left and right hands. Some had holes for the feet.

Does Your Self-Image Match God’s Image of You?

Does Your Self-Image Match God’s Image of You?

For those who follow Christ, believing in “God’s image” of us means we stand on this truth: God sees us as those He loves, accepts, and values. In fact, this is why He sent Christ to die for us—to demonstrate His unconditional love, to enable absolute acceptance forever, and to reveal thereby our intrinsic worth to Him.

Embracing Optimistic Realism: Finding Middle Ground Between Naive Optimism and Cynical Pessimism

Embracing Optimistic Realism: Finding Middle Ground Between Naive Optimism and Cynical Pessimism

Have you ever met someone so optimistic that you considered them more naive than realistic? Because they believe everything to be hunky dory, they blind themselves to the red flags leading to bad decisions and painful consequences.

Does Your Self-Image Match God’s Image of You?

Embracing Optimistic Realism: Finding Middle Ground Between Naive Optimism and Cynical Pessimism

What Else Might Linus Say to Charlie Brown About Christmas?

What Else Might Linus Say to Charlie Brown About Christmas?

Distressed over the insincerity of many concerning Christmas, the cartoon character Charlie Brown asks in anguish, “Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?” Charlie’s friend, Linus, while on stage, beautifully and brilliantly answers his question. “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please.” With security blanket in hand the miniature theologian takes center stage and exclaims,…

Are You Offended by an Inoffensive Person?

Are You Offended by an Inoffensive Person?

Though a person appears to be unloving and disrespectful, to the point where I even feel unloved and disrespected, could I have actually misinterpreted the appearance? When I feel offended by another, does that mean the other person is automatically an offensive person, or could I feel offended by something that in fact is inoffensive? This, of course, begs the question, why would any person in their right mind be offended by inoffensive actions? However, when I refer to “inoffensive actions,” I do not mean obviously positive actions such as gifting you with money. I am referring to actions from your spouse that on the surface could be labeled as “unloving and disrespectful” within the marriage.

When We Address a Man’s Needs, Why Do Some Women Hijack the Discussion? Part 2

When We Address a Man’s Needs, Why Do Some Women Hijack the Discussion? Part 2

In part 1 we talked about the tendency some women have to hijack a conversation about men needing respect and making it all about their needs as women. These women are not mean-spirited but they take over the conversation and completely ignore the male’s need. Some recent Facebook interactions I had provide a great example of this. Last week I posted three articles on Facebook. The first two challenged the husband (reaching together nearly 500,000 people). I titled them Should a Husband Submit to His Wife?, When a Husband Loves His Wife, Will She Respects Him?

When We Address a Man’s Needs, Why Do Some Women Hijack the Discussion? Part 1

When We Address a Man’s Needs, Why Do Some Women Hijack the Discussion? Part 1

If I say, “Men really like sports,” some women (a small but vocal percentage) retort, “I can’t believe you just said that! Women really like sports, and let me tell you why women like sports. In fact, you need to know about the sports women are playing, why affirmative action supports more women in sports, and why women would have been more interested in sports had this culture been fairer to women years earlier."In hearing these women express their thoughts, we quickly lose sight of the original statement, “Men really like sports."It is no longer about the man. It is about the woman.