We saw last week that God has given every husband the authority to lead his family. He listens to all input from his wife and children (if his wife is smarter and more insightful than he is, he would be a fool not to listen to her), but, in the final analysis, he must decide if the input is followed or not. He must make the final decision. “What a great idea!’ We’ll do that!“ is not a lack of leadership, but often a…
Disagreement on the answer to this question brings inevitable conflict to every human association: our families, churches, businesses and nations. Every war ever fought has been over who will have authority over whom. It was the reason for the Fall, as Satan disagreed with God about who should be in charge of the world, and he persuaded Adam, through his wife Eve, to join with him in challenging God’s right to be God and to run His creation. That conflict is ongoing, and the…
I am sure there are many systematic, organized, books, courses, and classes available for those who want to learn to be leaders themselves, but what about the average working stiff? He has no leadership aspirations but only wants to support his family, be a productive member of society, and live a quiet, happy, peaceful life with his wife. However, even he cannot escape this leadership question that is the title of this blog posting. In America, he has the extremely rare, exhilarating freedom to…
This is a very different, unfamiliar time for Christians who are old enough to remember a previous era in America, and many of us are struggling to adjust, not only how we live, but also how we think. In this post, I would like to explore what I believe is occurring, and then share a subtle distinction that has been very helpful to me in understanding, facing and then beginning to make the necessary adjustments. Many call this a “post-Christian” era today, because interest…
We are not identical human beings—we are very different individuals, and when we came out of our mother’s womb, we were unique in exactly the way God wanted us to be. He made no mistakes. He looks at each of His new-born children, from every nation, tribe and tongue, red and yellow, black and white, and thinks to Himself as He observes each one, “Wow, I outdid myself this time! Look at this incredible creation!” I can remember distinctly bringing our first-born, Adam, home…
The two edges of the sword of God’s word are like fraternal twins, equally loved, valued and appreciated by their parents but direct opposites in personality and appearance. Nobody would know they are twins! They go by a variety of names: Gospel and Kingdom, Law and Grace, Faith and Obedience, Do and Done, Cause and Effect, and Internal and External. We have been focusing on one edge of the sword for several months (Gospel, Grace, Faith, Done, Cause and Internal). In light of the…
It is often said that to be a “black and white” person is not a good thing, and those of us who are need to learn to be more “nuanced” in our outlook on life. I certainly agree with the intent of most who offer that analysis. Their purpose is to address opinionated “know it alls” like Yours Truly, who are convinced we are always right and, therefore, “don’t confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up.” However, truth doesn’t come in…
The stage is set; the house lights are dimmed; the camera’s are rolling, and a star is born—you! You are the star in the play, “Living by Faith,” and you have learned your lines. There are only three, but you repeat them over and over again in the play—”Search me, Oh Lord…see if there be any wicked way in me;” “Oh Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner;” “I believe, help my unbelief!”—and you are ready! In the surreal world of the stage you…
What does it mean to be a “believer in Jesus Christ? The vast majority of Christians think that it means “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth and died for my sins. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended into Heaven, and will one day come again.” These basic ideas make up the heart of the Apostle’s Creed—the creed that has served as the definition of what constitutes traditional Christianity since about 140 AD. If…
The following is the actual, real-life prayer of a good friend who meets with Jesus regularly, pen in hand, to record both what he prays and what the Lord says to him. This was a particularly significant time for him, and he read this to me after he got my last newsletter. He felt the letter illustrated what He had just told the Lord. I immediately recognized it was a perfect example of my point in the posting and asked him if I could…