paravanes:meditations

Redeemed from sin and death, Accepted into the beloved, Kept (guarded and observed) by and for Jesus Christ, United with Him in His resurrection, Alive to God, More than a conqueror. Chosen in Him, Living as God's workmanship, Seated with Him in heavenly places, Reconciled to God, Rescued from the dominion of darkness, Filled with the knowledge of His will, Appointed to receive salvation. Chosen to be saved, Encouraged and strengthened, Infused with the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, Alone, but not deserted, Actively sharing the faith, Having godly hope as an anchor for the soul, Being sure of what I hope for--and certain of what I do not see, Receiving what He has promised. Receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, Equipped for everything good, Kept by that Great Shepherd of the sheep, Making my calling and election sure, Growing in grace and knowledge, Purified from all unrighteousness, Overcoming the world. Built up in the most holy faith, Called and loved by God,

"My kingdom is not of this world." --Jesus Christ, in John 18:36 Entitlement. It's a word that makes me uncomfortable because I always wonder how and why someone feels "entitled." One can be worthy, but how can one be entitled? The ugliness of the prosperity gospel is not tied to a particular ministry, speaker, or writer. I have no doubt many people have had their spirits lifted and have been encouraged by some of the teachers of the prosperity gospel. So, what's wrong with the prosperity gospel? First, why do adherents to the prosperity gospel believe they are entitled to more than our founder and leader? Every reliable thing we can know about Jesus' earthly life tells us he wasn't wealthy or powerful. He grew up in a lower-income home, lived with and cared for a single mother (after Joseph's death), owned only a small amount of personal belongings, and relied upon others for many of his needs. Read the gospels, folks. Jesus did not have the anc

No, I am not going to write about loving the Fort Hood shooter. Today, a service of memory is being held for the victims of the shooter. Personally, I don't think the shooter should be further enlarged by ongoing public discussions about why he did what he did and what it all means. I hope a thorough, fair investigation will address those issues. What I am taking away from this tragedy is reinforcement on why loving your enemy is a better way. Jesus always knows what He is talking about . At any given point in time, we may be someone's enemy . If our society embraces a credo that says we can harm our enemies at will, aren't we opening ourselves to ongoing injury from someone we have offended, or someone who believes we have offended them, or perhaps someone who just lives in a state of offense and always feels injured? As a younger person, I believed it was a sign of weakness to love an enemy. Now, I know you can confront someone in love. You may or may not challenge them i

I got my first pair of glasses when I was in the second grade. My parents learned I needed glasses because I constantly complained I couldn't see the board in school. It was only in the second grade that much of the classroom instruction involved the teacher presenting lessons on the blackboard in the front of my class. My parents took me to our local Sears store and I had an eye exam. That first eye appointment was decades ago, but I remember it well. I loved sitting in the big chair, reading the strange combination of letters. I was too young to have any anxiety about not getting it right. I needed prescription eyeglasses. So, at age seven, my first pair of eyeglasses were ordered. A week later, my parents and I returned to the store, got my new tortoise shell glasses fitted, and I was the proud owner of glasses and the snazzy new eyeglass case into which I promptly wrote my name. I still remember the thrill of putting on those new glasses and seeing the world as it truly was! I