What is the connection between the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of religion as a means of obtaining that happiness? How about the brief and vulnerable nature of materialistic happiness, the burden of saving oneself as counterproductive in the pursuit of happiness? Contrast all that with a religion where all depends on God. God … Continue reading Podcast: God Provides
Category: Current Events
Podcast: What is religion?
Religion, to most people, means a system of thinking and practices; most think of one of theworld religions. For our conversation, “religion” means “what governs.” Everyone does something religiously, and what governs a person can be known with accuracy, in contrast to what a person may say they believe. How many religions are there? There … Continue reading Podcast: What is religion?
Podcast: What about happiness?
As the next point of consideration for Next Generation Theology, let's consider happiness. It's something that everyone desires. What is the difference between joy and happiness? How about biblical happiness versus that which comes from human invention? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=25552164
Podcast: Intro to Next Generation Theology
Young people from mid-40s to teens have abandoned traditional religion in general and what they assume is Christianity in particular. Their world and language has changed so dramatically that traditional ways of communicating no longer work. Is the truth and grace of God of such a nature that it can be communicated to the younger … Continue reading Podcast: Intro to Next Generation Theology
God’s faithfulness–does it matter?
The faithfulness (reliability) of God—does it matter or not? No matter how faithfully and wonderfully God provides for us, at all times and in every way, we still worry. Worse than worry, we fret, we fear, we stress over what will or won’t happen next, as if God never provided anything for us. Shouldn’t it … Continue reading God’s faithfulness–does it matter?
In the valley of the shadow …
Are you taking care of someone who is approaching the end of their life in the body in this world, or do you know someone who is? What is that like? How could it be made better? Is the approach of the end of our life in the body in this world a time of … Continue reading In the valley of the shadow …
How should we pray?
Last Sunday in worship service, the prayer for the day asked that our “petitions may be pleasing” to God. Many of us say prayers often, but how much do we ask God to make us pray as we should? The lessons for last Sunday were about Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18), being … Continue reading How should we pray?
Gifts from God?
Gifts from God inevitably bring challenges. Can that be right?? If so, are His gifts really gifts or traps? In the account (not parable) of Lazarus and the rich man, Abraham reminds the rich man, “… in your lifetime you received your good things” (Luke 16:25). Notice the expression “your lifetime”? The rich man collapsed … Continue reading Gifts from God?
A table in the presence of my enemies
Many people are familiar with Psalm 23 and take great comfort in knowing that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Certainly, the Word and Spirit of Jesus (His rod and staff) guide us through this world full of the shadows of valleys of death. But how many of us remember that our Good Shepherd “prepares a … Continue reading A table in the presence of my enemies
In the Lions’ Den
Daniel 6 records the fairly well-known history of Daniel in the lions’ den. Consider how the lions’ den anticipated one of the means by which Christians were executed by the Roman Empire. Then consider how being surrounded by hungry lions is an apt parallel to the experience of honest, faithful people in our time. Here … Continue reading In the Lions’ Den