At one time or another we have used the term superficial to describe someone that we know who is overtly concerned with anything of a shallow nature. They are concerned with their outward appearance to the hilt, what people they prefer to be seen amongst, the delightful luxuries they surround themselves and in general an absolute suppression of any emotional content. They are the Hollywood celebrities, those belonging to the “cool crowd”, church member cliques or members of the local country club who shmooze with sophisticated elitists like themselves. You know who they are and you want so much more because you know that life is lived out at its emptiest level among these. You want something that is real. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: becoming real, being real, crutch, discipleship, Essene, fake people, G.K. Chesterton, God, hide, homosexuality, Jesus, John 3:20-21, John 5:41, Keith Green, Knowing God, knowing God personally, Mark 2:17, No Compromise, official, Peter Pan, Pharisee, phony people, relationship with God, Roman Catholic Church, Sadducee, shame, superficial, terra firma, The Velveteen Rabbit, Unstrung Heroes, walk with God, walking with God, Zealot
The more I peruse the pages of the internet, I am shocked to discover the resurgence of old theological doctrines as well as new ones plastered across the pages of the digital world. I say shocked because not every one of these dogmatically proposed theologies can be right. I have often reflected on the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-5, Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 1 Corinthians 3:1-5, 1 John 4:1-3, 2 Chronicles 26:16-20, Acts 11:1-10, Acts 11:15-18, amillennialism, Antony Flew, Aristotelian logic, Aristotle, Augustine, Benny Hinn, Calvinism, charismatic church, definition of theology, Ephesians 1:17, Exodus 20:13, falsification method, I want to know God, Jehovah Witness, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Kenneth Copeland, law of non contradiction, Leviticus 11, Matthew 12:1-8, mid-tribulation rapture, pentecostal church, pharisees, philosophy, Plato, practical theology, pre-tribulation rapture, quest for the living God, relationship with God, Roman Catholic Church, Romans 13:1, Scofield, theology, Thomas Aquinas, Wesley-Arminian, what is theology
So often in life we search for programs such as instant weight loss, get-rich-quick schemes or any other formula that promises instant success while throwing hard work and discipline out the window. If you have come seeking a formula that does not involve a desire for the heart to change then I can tell you that it will not work. It is fascinating to see the programs that have been implemented for changing the nature of homosexuals. I have read reports by individuals who brought their jaded expectations to find their cure while counselors swing to unbiblical and unsatisfactory extremes in diagnosing their problems. Always remember when dealing with lust, if your desire is change, there is always hope. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2 Samuel 11:1, 2 Samuel 11:11, C.S. Lewis, Christ, concupiscence, conquering sin, David, Exodus 20:12, Exodus 20:3, Exodus 20:5, Gadarene demoniac, God, gratitude, Hebrews 10:25, how to overcome lust, intimacy with God, love of God, Luke 5:16, lust, pain, Pavlov's dog, pornography, psychology, reasons for lust, relationship with God, Romans 8, Romans 8:35-39, seven deadly sins, sins of the fathers, spiritual growth, spiritual help, struggling with lust, Uriah
Lust. The perennial problem for believers worldwide. It is an equal opportunity vice that is unwilling that anybody should be without its torturous devices. It is inescapable and unpredictable. At least that is what we think. Although the temptations involved present themselves as powerful, do not believe that it is impossible to conquer. The aftermath of lust is heavily condemning and shaming and for this reason, many assume this as the greatest of sins. This is not true. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: addiction, alcoholics anonymous, Augustine, concupiscence, disordered love, emptiness, escape, failure, how to overcome lust, intimacy with God, John 4, loser, lust, misfit, mortal sin, pharmakeia, pornography, Proverbs 6, Proverbs 6:25-26, rejection, relationship with God, self-gratification, seven deadly sins, sin, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, spiritual help, struggling with lust, stuggling with sin, venial sin, vice
Jesus’ proper interpretation of the law can be found in the charge, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt. 5:43-44) It was this righting of the ship that frees us from the bondage of bitterness so that we might spend mercy on the individual who may not be so merciful. I am sure he had Leviticus 19:18 in mind when he said this: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” But what happens when the enemy is not just another person but you? What do you do when you have become your own worst enemy? Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ad infinitum, condemnation, existentialism, Genesis 1:27, God, Hosea 2:23, Hosea 2:4-15, Hosea 2:4-5, Hosea 2:6-7, Jesus Christ, Knowing God, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 5:31, Matthew 5:43-44, Nietzsche, perfection, perfectionism, redemption, relationship with God, seduction, sickness unto death, sin, stranger to self-hatred, walk with God