World View

68 posts

The Curse of “Whatever”

“Whatever.” This is not usually a word of encouragement or optimism. It is what we say when we feel let down, betrayed, discouraged. So, “whatever” is said in a way that is intended to communicate that you don’t care. However,  the irony is that it really means that something matters very much. We continue to be surprised at being disappointed. People have this problem called sin. Sin comes from rebellion to God. At its root, rebellion starts with believing a lie. We believe we can be happy apart from dying to ourselves. We believe that the people we love will not hurt us. We believe that we deserve what we desire. We believe things will be better next time. We […]

Dying to Go to Church?

Well, let’s not get too extreme! Yes, you love going to church, but on balance, everyone has a life apart from church. It is important to avoid going to church just out of a sense of duty. Legalism is depressing. Sometimes a chill Sunday morning is priceless. These are easy thoughts to have, even when you do go. However, there are places on our planet where Christians are literally dying because they go to church. News agencies like the BBC are reporting that the murder of Christians is approaching genocide levels, especially in sub-Sharan Africa and in many places in Asia. Yet, people continue to go to small, wooden buildings knowing that they could be burned alive inside on any […]

Teach Your Children to Praise

People are designed to live in continuous praise of the wonder of God. After the fall, man failed to live as he was intended. Instead of praise, self-focus and personal pleasure take center stage. Sin feeds on the desire for immediate pleasure. That is why a child can go from seeming bliss to outrage in an eye blink. One moment everything is fine. Then he sees his brother with a toy that he wants and he immediately erupts with a howl of outrage. Why? Because he doesn’t have what he wants, what he thinks he deserves. God wants his people to live a life of praise. Complaining and grumbling are not compatible with praise. The Bible teaches that God is […]

Do You Remember?

Do you remember so many who have died and been shattered by war so that you can live and worship in freedom? Do you remember that all of your stuff, all of your possessions cannot give life or lasting joy? Do you remember that you are not your own, but that you were bought with a price? Do you remember that you are here to live for God and to die to yourself? Do you remember the greatest Warrior who lived?  Do you remember that this same Warrior gave his life so that untold multitudes would find life? Do you remember that this same Warrior has taken away the sting of death? Do you remember Jesus? I saw heaven standing […]

God Is Not Optional

Humans have somehow gotten the idea that God is optional.  We have come to think that God is a choice, that we can take him or leave him as we think best. But the universe doesn’t work that way. Everything was formed at the command of God and designed to function as he determined, people included. As Paul told the leading thinkers of the Greek-Roman world, everyone depends on God for everything, including their next breath. People think God can be picked up or discarded as we choose. If you had the power to make that choice, you would be God!  We exist at God’s command, to function how he designed. God is the ruler all that we see. Our […]

In the Presence of My Enemies 

Psalm 23 ends with God stating what is always true. A feast is always available for the sheep of God’s pasture. This psalm reminds us that no matter what our circumstances appear to be, the good Shepherd is always caring for his sheep.   What does this mean when you inhabit the dark valleys of life?  The human heart is capable of journeys immeasurable delight and equally immeasurable despair. David, the shepherd, the king, the father, the sinner knew these highs and lows. He danced with joy and he wept bitter tears of loss. He won conquests against overwhelming odds. However, he, like us, often lost his battles with his flesh. As this psalm says, David knew the peace of […]

The Gift of Clouds

It’s cloudy this morning. As the sun rises the thick cloud cover will break open to show the blue sky. This is typical for where I live and probably where you live as well. So, why write about something so ordinary? Because seeing God move the clouds is anything but ordinary!  The Holy Spirit has made it a point in Scriptures to tell us that when we see the clouds move across the sky we are seeing God in action. Meteorologists explain how what begin as moisture rising to form clouds on one part of the continent may generate into a massive storm system that will impact locations thousands of miles away. Scripture fills in the rest of the story: […]

A Prayer For Life

Dear Father, My dreams are too small, my desires too selfish, my actions too sinful. My focus and, too often, my prayers are about what I think is best. Father, you know my weak heart and doubting faith. I pray you would give me the courage to see that my life is about Christ. I need to follow his life and love you as he did on earth. I pray my life would be about adding to your reputation. I pray my focus would be consumed by showing gratitude for the grace and mercy given to me. Help me to make you attractive in the eyes of those who know me. Father, I confess that my energy is too often […]

Each Day

Each day that passes without a vision for heaven is day lost for God’s glory. Each day that passes without gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice for you is a day lost on yourself. Each day that passes without compassion for those who are lost is a day lost in self-indulgence. Each day that passes without passion for showing the love of Christ to those you love is day lost exploiting those whom you love. Each day that is dominated by anger that you are not appreciated is a day lost in self-pity. Stop losing days to your desires that make you feel that life is against you.  Live each day as a precious gift. Live and love to know your savior […]

Why?

A Texas church, a New York park, a Las Vegas concert… These should be safe places, but they were not. Why? The Holy Spirit authored Scripture knowing exactly what fears you would face in this life. The face of terror is ugly and unnerving. Cafes, concerts, sporting events and church are common gatherings that have provided places of safety and refuge. But as the terror of the dark human heart is revealed before our eyes, the reality is that there is no place apart from God where anyone is truly safe. What happened in Texas this past Sunday morning could just as easily have happened to anyone of us and our families. Terror may wear the face of an angry, […]