“In essentials unity, in opinions liberty, and in all things love” Traditions are important. However, we must always guard against applying them in such a way as to lose sight of the loving intent of God’s law. Denominations all have different traditions: How someone is baptized, w
Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they worshiped God for the wrong reasons. The motivation of their worship was more about control and making themselves look and feel good than about God’s mission of healing, restoration and Spiritual renewal in the hearts of the people. Their desi
It’s funny sometimes how we attempt to control God. Even in our faith, if we are not careful, we start to build up rituals and ways of doing things all in hopes that God will bless us for doing these things. The truth upside down is that these “things” aren’t bad at all and i
Why is it that when everything in life is going well…..we don’t need anybody else….”we can stand on our own”? But when we are hurting, in emotional pain, or physical pain…..we are in deep need of others. Indeed…..we often are in deep need of Jesus. Jesus per
I remember when I was a young teenager. I was living in the midst of the storm of my parents’ divorce. Life was confusing. I rode my bike probably 10 miles one way to get to church each Sunday, a Baptist church in West Melbourne, here in Florida. It was the 60’s (yes, I’m an old guy, lol
When you face temptation, what should you do? When you recognize that a compromising situation is just ahead, should you stay and stand on your own fortitude? Should you seek the presence of God, indeed, Jesus, to help you sort things out and not stumble and fall into the temptation? Of course, you