Snake Bites in the Desert (How Jesus Dealt with Sin)

Jesus took on all sin and hung that sin (our sin) on that wooden cross (a pole, if you will). And that wooden pole (the cross) has the power to overcome the serpents bite.

The Mark of Brokenness in Jonah (Part 1)

"You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas and the currents swirled about me, all  your waves and breakers swept over me." (Jonah 2:3) "...but you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit." (Jonah 2:6) The previous post, The Mark of Brokenness, I gave a general outline on the mark...

Guilt, Shame, and Panic: Are they justified?

“How dangerous a master human emotion is!”  ― Watchman Nee We've all been there: you wake on Saturday after sleeping in a bit from a hard week at work. You wake up, grab some coffee, maybe spend some time with Jesus for awhile, and realize you have nothing to do for the day (or you just...

The Lost Art of Love

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast...

Narcotics and Religious Detox: A Comparison

In March 2008 I was taken to a drug and alcohol treatment facility to detox from various narcotics and alcohol. I met the Lord for the first time in that facility. But it wasn't until May 2008 that I finally answered His call, “Come, follow Me.” Quickly after devoting my life to my savior, my...

Why are We to Bear Fruit? The Answer May Surprise You

We've all heard the verse where Jesus describes a good tree bearing good fruit. And we've all heard countless preachers, books, blog posts, and general conversations where the topic was this of bearing fruit. It seems many Christians today are consumed by the alleged need to bear fruit. In fact, there are also many who have...

Book Review: “The Pastor Has No Clothes!” by Jon Zens (Updated 8/16/11)

The modern office and role of the “pastor” (or minister, in some circles), has a fixed place in the minds and hearts of believers and unbelievers. Even the atheists and members of other religions recognize the pastorate as being a necessary fixture in the church. But does it have any Scriptural backing in the New...

Independently Dependent

As followers of Christ, we are both dependent and independent. We are also independently dependent. What do I mean by that? It's simple, really, but easily missed or forgotten. First and foremost we are completely dependent upon God (or at least we should be). I know for me, I can't seem to wake up in...

The Cross

When we are facing the cross, it feels like the Lord is far away or that we are being punished. But it's quite the opposite. The cross is a sign of love, a gift. I was sitting in the back seat of my friend's car with his one-year-old son on our way to the beach recently....

The Body of Christ Knows No Bounds

  I really hate going to nature parks. They're just so boring. I absolutely love nature and the outdoors. My dream day is me, out in the middle of nowhere on a beautiful spring day hundreds of miles away from civilization with no cell phone, GPS, light or noise pollution, sound of airplanes, buses, trains,...