This phrase is found in Philippians 2:12 and is one of the favorite biblical references of those serious Christians who believe that their spiritual progress in this life depends on their commitment and their diligent efforts to grow spiritually. The word “work” in this instruction from Paul to the Philippians and thus to these industrious Christians seems to be a signal to buckle down and get busy obeying the law of God, reading God’s Word, fellowshipping with other Christians, and developing their prayer life.…

Karl Barth, considered by many to be the leading theologian of the 20th century, is said to have been asked by a student at the University of Chicago during his trip to America in 1962, “Can you summarize your whole life’s work in theology in one sentence?” Barth, 76 at the time, is said to have answered, “Yes, I can, in the words of a song I learned at my mother’s knee: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’”…

To many Christians, the Christian life consists of being saved from suffering the consequences of going to Hell and enjoying the privileges of going to Heaven. However, I believe that Christianity is much, much more. A summary of what the Bible teaches on the topic is the subject of the following homily I will bring at the 50th wedding anniversary of two long-time friends next weekend.   It is a real thrill for me to be here today to help commemorate Bill and Jane’s…

Last Sunday I went to church with a good friend. I had attended the church before, had enjoyed the excellent worship and heard a very well-prepared, well-delivered, and stimulating message, so I was anticipating another similar experience. The singing time, again as before, brought me from the parking lot directly into the presence of the Lord, where I was drawn into losing myself in worshiping Him. It was exhilarating! My cup was overflowing. At the conclusion of the worship time, the senior pastor stood…

In the lifelong process of learning how to wear Jesus’ easy yoke in order to pull the load God has ordained that I pull in my lifetime, it has been very helpful for me to see myself as an investigator on a mission of discovery. What’s keeping me from entering into the life of living more consistently by faith, powering through life’s pitfalls with love, joy and peace in the midst of personal turmoil, failures and setbacks in my life? Is that not what…

Last week when I got the call from the school district’s Human Resources Director (the man who determines whether or not I work), I demonstrated clearly that I ain’t no Sherlock Holmes, as I related to you in the last posting. I completely missed spotting Clue #1, which I have missed multiple times before. In the heat of the moment, I can never seem to remember that times of pressure, difficulty or crisis are indications that God is on site and at work, busily…

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28). Living life is tough, and it has been since God said to Adam after the Fall,“Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days…

Last week at the local high school, I struck up a conversation with a middle-aged janitor in the faculty lunchroom. When he discovered I was a retired preacher moonlighting as a substitute teacher, his face lit up as he told me he too was a Christian, and he then began to share with me the joy he was experiencing from the Christian life in which he had immersed himself. He attends his church whenever the doors are opened (several times per week), reads his…

“I can quit whenever I want” is the famous phrase uttered by all drinkers who are just beginning the tortuous, painful journey into alcoholism. Eventually, that particular addiction is impossible to hide, but there is another addiction that is much more pervasive but also much more subtle. Generally, just like the beginning alcoholic, until this addict is set free from this addiction, he is not even aware he was addicted.   Last week, of the two alcoholics we investigated, both continued in their addiction,…

The first alcoholic is a friend who is a serious, committed Christian. Her alcoholism is not the drink-every-day-but-continue-to-function-normally brand so she can hold down a steady job, as can many alcoholics. Her’s is the binge variety. She gets drunk for at least a week at a time, usually longer, and shuts down completely, often ending up in the hospital. When she is sober, she is positive about her relationship with God, reads the Bible regularly, attends church and shares her faith all over Facebook.…