God Running

Calling a Christian a Pharisee

Calling a Christian Pharisee

Emil Nolde – Pharisees (1900)

Calling a Christian a Pharisee

I heard a great bible study Wednesday night and I want to encourage you to listen to it. Just click on 2 Chronicles 17:1-19:3 11-06-13 W7101 by Jon Courson.

The reason I’m so interested in you checking out this study is because one of the issues addressed is the use of the word pharisee to describe Christians. And I am guilty of using that word, in that manner.

And I was wrong.

It happened the same day as the aforementioned evening bible study. That morning Read More

The Cross with Billy Graham, LeCrae, and Lacey Sturm

I’m always on the lookout for great videos and sadly, so many of them are yawners. Which is why I was surprised at the impact and quality of this one. Especially after the 5 minute mark where we hear two great stories about 34 year old LeCrae and 32 year old Lacey Sturm. You’ll want to check it out.

The Cross, with Billy Graham, LeCrae, and Lacey Sturm.

This could be the last significant communication we see from Billy Graham.

What It Means When We Work Without Rest

stress rest Christian

Work without rest.

I saw these math equations today on a blog I started following recently.

Work – Rest = Trust in self.

Work + Rest = Trust in God.

If you’re interested, you can read the rest of the post here: Your Faith in Math by SammyA. I thought he pretty much nailed it.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Jesus Christ, Matthew 11:28-30

An Open Letter to Christian Type A Men

Christian time management Type A Personality Love Like JesusDear Type A Man,

It’s better to do less and reflect the nature of Christ, than it is to accomplish more in an un-Christlike manner.

I know what you’re thinking: “What about the fruit? Isn’t it important to bear fruit? The bible says to bear fruit!”

True, the bible does say to bear fruit. But Read More

Jeffrey Wright Loves Like Jesus

This guy is a great example of someone who loves like Jesus! You’ll want to watch until the video covers how he loves his own son–he sets an especially amazing example there.

Wright’s Law, Jeffrey Wright loves like Jesus

Jeffrey Wright is one of the craziest teachers I have ever heard of. His antics in his high school physics class include lighting his hand on fire (on purpose), sending students on a homemade hovercraft ride (without steering), and blowing up a pumpkin (in the classroom). As one student said, “He is exploding with fun!” His students are never bored, even those who normally fall asleep in the rest of their classes. He also has a heart to help kids from disadvantaged backgrounds: Students who cover their bruises with make up because they’re taking beatings at home from their dad. Students who are pregnant. Students without a mom or dad in the home. He’s amazing. As one person put it, “Mr. Wright has the keys to the city!”

Jeffrey Wright loves his students. But he loves his son Adam even more. When Adam Read More

The Holy Spirit: How to Know if You Have Him

Pentacost by Jean II Restout (Photo Credit Wikipedia)

One of our most popular posts. From the Archives:

At church the other night our pastor directed anyone interested in receiving prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to go to the prayer room after the service.

I was amazed. Read More

Jesus in the Old Testament (Part 5): Isaiah 53

Jesus in the Old Testament Isaiah 53

Christ’s wounded hand, Unterlinden Museum, Colmar, France by John Kroll – Creative Commons

“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6

(You can read Isaiah 53 in its entirety at the bottom of this post)

Isaiah 53 Written After Jesus’ Death and Resurrection?

Isaiah chapter 53 is so descriptive of Jesus Christ it seems out of place. There’s just no way this should be here. It should come after the New Testament, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, not before. Read More

Jesus in the Old Testament (Part 4): Daniel’s Prophecy

Jesus in Old Testament Daniel Prophecy

The prophet Daniel from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.

Daniel 9:25-26

Read More

A Matter of Life and Death: The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

kingdom of heaven is near

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” -Jesus Christ, Matthew 4:17 (NLT)

Young man: “I just found out my favorite college professor has cancer.”

Old man: “I am so sorry to hear that. You know, I just spoke with my best friend from high school and learned he lost his brother, his mother, his sister-in-law, and his father–all in one year.

Life is so much more fragile than we realize. Life is so much shorter than we recognize. The kingdom of heaven is near.

Turn your heart toward God our Father.

While you still can.”

[Image via mayakamina – Creative Commons]

Help, I’m Married to a Stranger: Genesis 49:29-31

marriage counseling

“Bury me with… Leah.” -Jacob, Genesis 49:29-31

“The primary problem is… learning how to love and care for the stranger to whom you find yourself married.” -Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Ethics, Duke University

Married to a Stranger

It’s impossible to know what your spouse will be like tomorrow, or next year, or next decade. Because life will change him, or her. Finishing school changes him. Age changes her. The hirings, and firings, and battles at work change him. Where she lives changes her. A loved one dying changes her. Having kids changes him. You can’t really know who you will be married to, in the future, because they’ll change.

It’s inevitable: at some point in your marriage, you’ll find you’re married to a stranger. It happens to every one of us.

It happened to Jacob right away. Read More

Is Satan a Person? (I wish someone had told me this when I was young)

Satan real

Young man: “Satan isn’t really like a person, right? I mean there’s evil in the world, and there’s such a thing as evil–as a force. But Satan, if he did exist, would be just one person. He would be limited. He couldn’t be everywhere at once or anything. So what could he really accomplish in the world?” Read More

Bible on History Channel Draws13.1 Million

Bible History ChannelLast Sunday at 8 PM I watched The Bible miniseries’ (episode one) on the History Channel. First I had to recover from the shock of seeing actual history on the history channel, instead of Swamp People and Pawn Stars. Then I had to decide if I liked it. Read More