Here are 12 Bible promises that have an application to an array of different trials or circumstances of living with a biblical faith. One of my favorite quotes on this subject is from Ellen White and it is “If we commit the keeping of our souls to God in the exercise of living faith, His promises will not fail us; … Continue reading →
Growing old is not easy, when you consider that our physical bodies deteriorate and we simply fall apart. When we age we lose certain functions. Our vision fades, our joints ache, and even short walks become an unwelcome chore. As an aging follow of Christ, don’t think you are any less valuable to the Lord or the Kingdom of God … Continue reading →
Among my archived posts you’ll find me addressing both dispensational and historicist views. It may mean that I am eschatologically schizophrenic or I am ok with two different viewpoints being held in Christian churches. Personally, I think if one begins by looking for a pre-trib understanding of prophecy, they’ll find it. If one begins by looking for an historicist understanding … Continue reading →
Years ago I worked with a chaplain who would frequently tell me, “Don’t lose your peace.” This chaplain was an Irish Catholic nun who had one of the most beautiful characters you would ever meet. She was older, close to retirement at the time, and her wisdom was refreshing to our pastoral care team at this hospital. Her statement, “Don’t … Continue reading →
Most of us have heard it said, “When it’s your turn to go, it’s your turn to go” or “When your number comes up, there’s nothing you can do about it” or “We all have an appointed time to go.” I think there is a lot of truth to these statements because I’ve seen otherwise perfectly healthy people not respond … Continue reading →
There was a time in my life, shortly after my auto accident miracle and conversion that I relate in my Personal Testimony, when I asked myself what is my ultimate unwavering unquestionable standard of truth. At the time my life turned toward God and away from the things of the world, and I felt a need to identify my own … Continue reading →
There is a verse in the book of Ecclesiastes that I find very intriguing. It is just a quick interjection of a simple thought but recently while I was listening to the book of Ecclesiastes while driving down the road, it captured my attention. The verse is Ecclesiastes 5:20 and it says, “They seldom reflect on the days of their … Continue reading →
As a hospital chaplain I am frequently around families at the bedside of their dying loved one. When they die, it is very common to hear family comfort one another by saying that their loved one is now in Heaven and out of pain. While it is encouraging for the family to find comfort in this thought, my mind tends … Continue reading →
In a previous post titled “Why Seven Year Tribulation?” I addressed the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9 and why it doesn’t apply to a supposed seven year tribulation period. I even included a chart in that article to illustrate how it relates to the ministry and covenant of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Here, I want to share a … Continue reading →
This article is not about arguing my position or trying to disprove your position. It’s about the often overlooked common ground between the pre-trib and post-trib positions of the return of the Lord. Pre-trib is the eschatological position that believes the saved will be in Heaven before the reign of the Anti-Christ and a tribulation period of seven-years. See the … Continue reading →
The idea that there will be a seven year period of tribulation on earth, after believers are raptured up to Heaven, comes from a prophecy in Daniel 9 on “Seventy Weeks.” It is part of the eschatology held by dispensationalist theology, better known as the pre-trib position. The seventy weeks in Daniel 9 are prophetic years that span a period … Continue reading →
When a loved one lays unconscious and dependent on a machine to breathe or a simple drive to the grocery store is interrupted by a drunk driver or a physician informs you that the pain you thought was a pulled muscle is actually stage 4 cancer, we ask Why? Why do bad things happen? In this post I want to pull … Continue reading →
When I was a pastor with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination we practiced foot washing along with the Lord’s Supper. Once a quarter an SDA church holds a communion service that included, what was called, the “Ordinance of Humility” or foot washing. The reason SDA churches practiced foot washing, was because they believed that when Jesus said, “I have set you … Continue reading →
I recently heard a news story about the perceived rudeness among the public and especially from those who once were concerned about providing customer service. The news story shared some examples, cited the COVID lock down as the probable reason, and said the solution to this problem is for all of us to just keep to ourselves. While I agree … Continue reading →
I’m not one to comment on everything that happens in our society and culture, especially when it involves celebrities, but the recent passing of Jimmy Buffett is an opportunity for me to remind us all of the obvious. The obvious is that death doesn’t care if you are a billionaire or a pauper, it’s going to have its day with … Continue reading →
There is a passage in Revelation where Jesus compliments the church at Ephesus and then gives them a warning to return to the things they did at first. This is what He says, “You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Revelation 2:4-5 NIV). … Continue reading →
The doctrine of the “second coming” or what some call “the rapture” are not presented in the Bible for an intellectual exercise but it is there to spur us on to hope. I realize that some students of prophecy think the second coming and the rapture are two different events, while many recognize them as the same. Here, I wish … Continue reading →
As a chaplain at a trauma hospital just miles from the beaches of the upper Gulf Coast, I frequently deal with patients and families who have had diving accidents. In my experience, diving accidents best sum up what it means to have your world shattered. Diving accidents means a family has come to our coast waters and beaches for relaxation … Continue reading →
Today, we recognize the whole person as having three interactive dimensions of body, mind, and spirit. We care for the body through proper nutrition and exercise. We care for the mind through similar efforts that help keep us grounded in reality and social behavior. But what about the spirit? How do we care for our spirit? Well, it is the … Continue reading →
The gospel is the good news of Christ’s redemptive plan to deliver us out of Satan’s grip in the world around us. It is the good news that Jesus stepped into humanity to become the sacrifice for our sins to rightfully redeem us from this fallen world. Here is what I call the ABC’s of the Gospel because they tell … Continue reading →
The trials we face are different from the trials that another will face. All trials test us in a sense because they can be tools to adjust our faith in God or draw us further in opposition of Him. The trials that we all face come in many forms like disease, poverty, emotional distress, relationship conflict, stress, and may be … Continue reading →
Harmony is a quality that helps maintain spiritual strength. In the workplace, the community, or home, harmonious relationships are less stressful and more productive to whatever the end that partnership should produce. The Apostle Paul advises, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12:18 (NIV). When conflict exists in our … Continue reading →
Matthew 12:40 is a reference by Jesus to His forthcoming stay in the tomb and this is what it says, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Every Easter season this question comes up and based … Continue reading →
I’ve been contemplating 2 Timothy 4:8 and Paul’s mention of those who “love his appearing.” Paul is reflecting on the end of his life and ministry and writes, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them … Continue reading →