Our Lighted Path

The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. Galatians 6:12-13 We ought to be careful, everyone, not to try replacing what God already has done in the Spirit, with what men think is right in the flesh. Men ought to be more careful than they tend to be, now, when they say, "You will be filled."

"These things I have spoken to you, that, in me, you might have peace. In the world, you have tribulation: but be encouraged: I (Jesus) have overcome the world." John 16:33 The Apostle Paul teaches us that, as Christians, we're in the world, but not of the world. That means we live in a troubled and wayward world, but that we're not supposed to be of the world's corrupt ways. Instead, we're supposed to be overcomers, in Jesus. We're supposed to be alert to sin, but not in sin. There are lots of ways to say that, and, one day, I hope I can add other folks' thoughts here, about being in the world but not of the world. Remember, Jesus says we're a city on a hill, and that our light, of the Holy Spirit, cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14) That's comforting. That means Christians will survive this time of trouble in the world. That means we're called to try to reach brothers and sisters all over this world, but that w...

"I'm sick of the evil." If I don't remember anything else besides the words of my Savior, Jesus, I think I will remember that Shirley Chisholm said, "I'm sick of the evil." Chisholm also was one who said that, if "they" don't offer you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. She was one who vowed not to spend more on weapons, not until people's needs were taken care of. She was a woman, but she was shepherded by men. And she had enough sense to plainly say, "I'm sick of the evil." As we gear up more and more, in the U.S., for another presidential election, I think Chisholm should be included in the history that we remember. One presidential candidate, in 2020, has cautioned that some of the "socialist" ideals that are rising up are outdated throwbacks to an ill-advised 1960s. And I think that's true. Godlessly, one candidate says black and Latino citizens should be able to ...

This post is a boiler plate for a mission trip one day. I want to travel and ask the question, "What is Christian affection?" I think it will be interesting to see if there's a difference between answers from clergy, laity, and academic Christians. For me, the Holy Spirit has settled, in my belief, that Christian affection isn't like worldly affection at all. Jesus never says not to have Christian affection (John 21:15-17). But He and the disciples did rebuke and condemn UNGODLY affection (Matthew 15:19, 5:28; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, 6:18). Life, the way Heaven intends, isn't about anything at all being okay!

It's difficult to think about whether your grandfather, or someone else dear, will be there, at home in Heaven — or whether a family patriarch who you've hoped for, is already there: at home in the Spirit, in Jesus. It can be uneasy to wonder weather he ever realized the hope in people like me. Did he learn to cherish that children and grandchildren were finding life in Jesus, and that, having found that life, children and grandchildren were redeemed from both his and our own sins? Did the joy of our redemption in Jesus ever show itself clearly to him? Did he understand we didn't need to be changed in flesh; that when Jesus walked among us, people looked upon a Savior who was ugly; and that Jesus' loving way was sufficient enough, in our own lives, to give us each — each unique child — the beauty of simply believing in Him? Did he have hope, in Jesus, for a child like me? Did he believe in that old saying, "God don't make junk"? ...

Another Martin Luther King Day has passed. It's a day that, in the past, made me think of picking up litter and going to a church program. (It's Thanksgiving that always used to make me think of going to serve meals at the Salvation Army.) I haven't been able to follow through on many of my hopes during special times of the year, but that's okay. That's okay, because going to Heaven isn't based on the works that we do. What I mean by that is that some people do works as if they believe in doing so in order to earn something, or in order to earn our way to Heaven, although the Bible says that's not the way in Jesus. Christians aren't saved in Jesus through any good that we do. We're saved just through believing on Jesus and trusting in Him to deliver us from a world of sin. But I guess there is a little catch to that, in that believing on Jesus does motivate us to want freedom from sins, and calls us to want to share God's word more and ...

Most dictionary definitions of "sanctuary" probably agree that a sanctuary is a place of safety. But, in Jesus, it's more than just that. It's a way of life that's free and abundant and good, where nothing is twisted or wrong. One definition of sanctuary is "the inmost recess or holiest part of a temple or church." That definition, based on holiness, inspires the thought of an impenetrable place, where entry is only for the Holy Spirit. And that definition lends understanding to the way some parts of the church are living: as nuns, for example, who only look forward to Heaven, and who have something of Heaven in earth. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 Don't you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which you have of God, and you belong in the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 6:19 For we walk by faith, not by how things seem. 2 Corinthians 5:7