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The “Sin” of Not Controlling Emotions and my 10 Year Old Son
We were having communion at church after a good sermon on how God can bring good out of our guilt. They took a creative step and were flashing things on the screen that you can give to God and receive his forgiveness: “lust, lies, bigotry” … then it popped up on the screen. Laura’s hand shot up in a reflex and hit her head, I felt like I’d been hit in the gut. They had just flashed “not controlling your emotions,” up on the screen as a sin to deal with in your life. Since when did that make the list?
Read MoreThe Hall of Men and Bible Translation
I tell this story to say that I am a passionate, globally minded Christian, driven by fulfilling the Great Commission. And, because I do not want you to take what I have to say out of context. I fear that our massive use of human and financial resources to translate the Bible may not be the best use of the church’s resources nor should it be the church’s top priority.
Read MoreThe Fellowship of His Sufferings
When you first became a Christian, what did you expect your life would look like?
Did you think you’d always be happy and content, constantly singing God’s praises from a heart overflowing with joy? Were you surprised to find that all your problems had not vanished? Did you feel angry or confused that suffering was not excluded from your new life with Jesus?
Power Encounters are Real in the US
Yesterday I was reviewing a new book on power encounters with spiritual forces. This is still a normal reality in Africa, part of everyday spiritual life in most churches. These seem foreign to many of us in the United States. It is almost another world, to us, one we only see in the Bible when we see Jesus cast out a demon. It is easy to look for an over-spiritualized lesson about the character of Jesus while we put the dramatic or the miraculous power encounter aside. After all, we likely have never seen this in our own lives. This morning my Bible reading is in Acts 13, and I have to say to myself, “Not so fast.”
Read MoreGod Loves to Use African Leaders!
Which biblical leaders do your kids admire? Maybe Moses or Paul? Perhaps King David or Joseph? There’s definitely no shortage of strong leaders in the Bible; God has gifted many people throughout history with skill in leadership and raised them up to accomplish incredible things. But did you know that some of the great leaders in the Bible are Africans?
Read MoreThis is the key to your life
It’s not unusual for people like us to look for the key to a meaningful life.
There was an old man who, after a long, eventful life, had earned enough respect from the people he led to tell them, “This is the key to your life.” The key was simple and straightforward, and it is the focus of this reflection.
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