"Robert E Lee: A Life" is the newest biography of the Confederate general written by historian Allen C. Guelzo. Guelzo is a self-described Yankee partisan but presents a fairly even-handed portrait, but more negative than some better biographies such as by Emory Thomas or Douglas Southall Freeman. While critical of Lee for his view on… Continue reading Robert E Lee: A Life
Is God Passionate
The secular world mocks God as an old man sitting in the clouds far away, uninterested, ambivalent, stern and disapproving. Some of this maybe from Michelangelo’s famous painting in the Sistine chapel of God touching Man’s barely raised finger as He looks away. To many their concept of God is distant, demanding, arbitrary and at… Continue reading Is God Passionate
Deflecting Arguments
Other than lying there are tools of deception, many of these are illustrated with great ingenuity by C. S. Lewis in his book, “The Screwtape Letters”. It is one of my favorites telling a fictional story of one demon telling his underling tempter how best to lead his subject human towards sin and ultimately Hell.… Continue reading Deflecting Arguments
Be Kind to the Wicked
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.... and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." Luke 6:27-28, 35 One of the commands of our… Continue reading Be Kind to the Wicked
Paine’s Common Sense
Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet, “Common Sense", with a third edition published February 14, 1776. It was very influential to the Revolution and Paine donated his profits to the American war effort. The following points are well made and generally unequivocal: 1. Government is the most common persecutor of mankind, but "a necessary evil" against human vice.… Continue reading Paine’s Common Sense
Youthfulness
My wife's parents were always full of youthfulness. It was one of the things I most appreciated about them and it seemed they mutually shared and valued this mindset. It is a way of thinking that affects your perspective and actions. They valued babies and children and were attracted to anything that involved them. Babies… Continue reading Youthfulness
Amy Carmichael
Amy Carmichael was one of the most famous Christian missionaries in history, serving 55 years in India. Raised in Belfast in Northern Ireland, Amy studied music, singing and painting and found the Savior while in boarding school. Following her conversion she had a longing to learn how to live a holy life, pleasing to God.… Continue reading Amy Carmichael
Can a Christian Lose His Salvation?
Whether a Christian can lose his salvation is an often debated issue. In the extreme views, some Christians live in fear that they can live a devoted life to God and then fall into sin at death and lose their salvation. Others boast in their freedom to do whatever they want without fear of losing… Continue reading Can a Christian Lose His Salvation?
Spiritual Warmup
I’m preparing for a new breakthrough in Spirit led prayer. Since the natural comes before the spiritual, (1 Cor. 15:46), some natural warm up might be appropriate. We might greet, then stretch, move about, brief minor calisthenics of the body, work out any stiffness, get flexible, prepare for action. Then, for stretching of the mind… Continue reading Spiritual Warmup
A Passion For God
"A Passion For God" by Lyle Dorsett is a biography of A. W. Tozer. Tozer, a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor, is probably best know for writing the classic book "The Pursuit of God" calling Christians to a more closer intimacy with God. Tozer was born in Western Pennsylvania in poverty and moved to Akron,… Continue reading A Passion For God
What If…Love
I find that one's spouse can sometimes be their greatest critic. They live together and are as familiar as possible, which recalls the adage, "Familiarity breeds contempt". However, we are talking about those in the union of Holy Matrimony, where contempt should not be tolerated, especially from anything so innocuous as familiarity. One respected author… Continue reading What If…Love
Proof of God Denied
In Acts chapters 3 and 4, we are presented with a complete demonstration of the power of God in the new covenant age - the power of the name, Yeshua Messiah. Peter and John commanded healing to a man born lame, who was now over forty years old. This miracle of healing was beyond dispute… Continue reading Proof of God Denied
Prayer Debriefing 6
Lord, Yeshua, you are sending your message to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Draw them with cords of your love and set them free from the enemy's lying deception. Open blind eyes and plant your seed of faith - let faith arise. Welcome all who are burdened and weary, Yeshua will give you… Continue reading Prayer Debriefing 6
Fear of Death
Death awaits us all, but we relish life and focus on its blessings. The Earth is synonymous, filled with stunning beauty and renewal each day. However, it will one day be destroyed by fire and with age it is diminishing in splendor. Some people want to blame mankind instead of science's fourth law of thermodynamics.… Continue reading Fear of Death
Sustained Prayer
Paul encouraged continual prayer. (1 Thess. 5:17) Some seem to think if we ask something from God and He doesn't answer promptly, it must not have been His will and they cease praying. James observed, "Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did… Continue reading Sustained Prayer
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem "Christmas Bells" written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Written during the Civil War it tells of the narrator hearing Christmas bells but despairing that "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to… Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Worrying, Fretting, Angry
Regarding the most recent multi-trillion dollar spending bill to stop global warming, Nancy Pelosi said, “For me, it’s a religious thing. I believe this is God’s creation, and we have a moral obligation to be good stewards. If you don’t share that view, you must share the view that we have an obligation to future… Continue reading Worrying, Fretting, Angry
Charles Dickens and His Christmas Carol
One of my favorite stores is "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. It tells the story of the redemption of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, someone who was enslaved by his desire for money and profits and who had distain for virtually everything and everyone else. He was visited by three spirits from the past, present and… Continue reading Charles Dickens and His Christmas Carol
God Unlimited
I remember the first time I really grasped how different people can be - I was almost forty. At work we took the Myers-Briggs personality test; one of the questions asked, "Do you prefer when tasks are completed or still in process?" I read the question again, thinking I missed something, then commented, "No one… Continue reading God Unlimited
Love and Forgiveness
Can love be measured, if so, how? We all want and need love, but where can it be found and how can it be obtained? Some try to secure love in their own efforts, but ultimately find it snatched away in despair. Songs of lost love and broken hearts seem to never leave the music… Continue reading Love and Forgiveness
Christmas 1972
I was recently reflecting on my most memorable Christmas at 13 years old, from a standpoint of the gifts I received, almost a half century ago now. My folks were fairly frugal and Christmas was my greatest opportunity for games/toys for the year. Mom would generally get me two or three "fun" gifts I could… Continue reading Christmas 1972
Eschatology
This a theological term referring to matters concerned with the end of the world or of humankind. The Bible has much prophecy, as God frequently told people what would happen in advance. He did this as warning, judgment, direction, and confirmation of His truth. People react very differently to God's prophetic message. Some give heed,… Continue reading Eschatology
Judicial Systems
Acts chapters 24 through 26 have an interesting portrait of judicial systems that existed in the First Century Roman empire. The gist of the litigation is that Jewish leadership brought charges against Paul as they had successfully done against Yeshua, (Jesus' Hebrew name). The charges against Paul were that he should be executed, because, "We… Continue reading Judicial Systems
Florida State Guard
On December 2 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he was proposing allotting 3.5 million dollars to reestablish the Florida State Guard, a 200 man volunteer militia controlled by the State alone. He pitched the idea as a way to further support the Florida National Guard during emergencies. The notable difference between a State Guard… Continue reading Florida State Guard
Prayer Debriefing 5
For each follower of this blog we are praying. Our prayer is that you will not be discouraged in trials or when you stumble, but you will confess and plunge under the ever flowing fountain of God’s mercy and grace through the Blood of Yeshua. Knowing you will be whiter than snow, hearing joy and… Continue reading Prayer Debriefing 5
