Monthly Archives: February 2022

The more I read and ponder the Scriptures, I am struck by this question. What are the implications of what I’m reading? Am I considering these passages in a way that is more than just cursory? Has my reading of the Scriptures fallen prey to the old saying; “Familiarity breeds contempt?” Probably the first verse that got me thinking in this vein was Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.” To clarify, while I don’t think I have ever, literally, held the words of Scripture with contempt (“the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.) I have definitely not given them the attention and…

“For all those who think that God doesn't exist, need deep prayers. How else can you explain life? He's exactly that, life. I know He's alive and well so there, morons” While perusing Facebook this morning I came upon a post from a page called, “Omg Teens ღ”. I have no idea what that symbol means, so if it turns out to be something offensive, you will forgive me. On this page was the implied question regarding the existence of God. As I read the “arguments” for and against, one stood out. That would be the quote above. My first inclination was to ridicule this clearly inarticulate youngster for his lack of couth. But, as is so often the case, when we…

  During a particularly difficult time in my life that found me quite desperate to understand the “why” of my situation, some Scriptures came to mind that changed me in significant ways. I began reading Job, something I hadn’t done for a very long time. Two things jumped out at me, one of which was significantly different than how I remembered the Job story. The other changed my thinking in profound ways. First of all, I had thought that Satan had initiated the situation with God and Job. As I read it again, I realized that God had been the initiator! What!? According to the story, Satan was standing before God (I have no idea why this was or what caused Satan…

“William F. O’Neill wrote the most detailed and scholarly critique of Objectivism called With Charity Toward None: An Analysis of Ayn Rand’s Philosophy. While his conclusions were negatively critical, he did grant that “whatever else Miss Rand may have achieved, she continues to serve as a useful intellectual catalyst in a society which frequently suffers from philosophical ‘tired blood.’”   John Piper I remember from a young age hearing this teaching regarding the Christian being salt and light. While I had a grasp of what that meant, I have to admit I never gave it a lot of thought until adulthood. And, more recently, it has cropped up again. I think one of the reasons for this was that our society in the…