Originally posted on Facebook on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

Why do we act as though a relationship with God should mean I'm supposed to get what I want and as though it should prevent me from experiencing hardship that's a part of this life?

In what relationship is it acceptable to use someone in such a way, that if I don't get what I want, I call their character into question or question the value of the relationship and stay poised to walk away?

Why do we treat God like this, like someone who is only as valuable as what they can do for me, as someone to be used rather than someone to know and with whom deep meaningful companionship is the prize?

Imagine telling a friend or your spouse,

"If you don't give me what I want or if you allow my life to get too uncomfortable, I'm going to have to go in a different direction…"

I've done that to God.

And, I'm so sorry. I repent.

The treasure is not the conditions, the treasure is Him, and to be with Him through whatever life may bring.

God is such a wonderful friend.

Father, forgive me and create in me a heart that appreciates You, that is satisfied in You, that sees that You are more than enough -more than I could ask or think. Give me Christ's heart, I pray, and for His sake. Amen.

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, October 20, 2023.

Is my fight as a Christian for liberty, religious freedom or the American way of life?

No.

It makes no difference to me if my adversary wins political power (he already has it) and throws us in prison for what we believe.

My fight is for the family of God and against everything that separates us, as Christ fought. And, what separates us are not issues of liberty, property or political power. It's sin in and between us.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Romans 8:35-39

Anyone who says otherwise is an enemy of the cross, such as American Family Radio .

Originally posted on Facebook on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

This "trolley problem" is really helpful in understanding some people's perception of Christian theology, except it omits the important part where God made the trolley for good, and told us its proper use but we were dupped into believing that we should be the ones to determine how to use the trolley.

So, in rebellion and as a defiant demonstration of our own agency we chose to prostrate ourselves before the trolley.

God not wanting us to perish, but respecting our agency, makes every effort to warn us, imploring us to get out of harm's way but we insist we do not need help.

We are so recalcitrant we even delude ourselves into believing the creator of the trolley does not exist even though there's a trolley in front of us that we did not create.

The impending destruction and death is because of our doing.

And the only way to be saved is to

acknowledge His voice, the only voice warning us of the danger,

admit His description of the problem, the only description that's accurate and that makes the only solution apparent,

and accept His Solution, the only solution that gets us off the track -the path of destruction, and restores His good design.

Originally posted on Facebook on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

During my study time this morning, I was struck by this wonderful gem about how to walk with other disciples of Christ who I disagree with.

"Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."
—Philippians 3:15

Note how Paul trusts the Holy Spirit, "if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."

Paul doesn't force what he's saying.

He gives what God gives him.

He doesn't quarrel with those who don't or can't yet receive it.

He trusts God with those who may disagree with him AND he seeks to continue walking with them in Christ, "keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". (Ephesians 4:3)

Though they may disagree now, Paul invites them to walk together with him, trusting God to bring them together along The Way. He doesn't cut them off.

"Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
—Philippians 3:16

It's an approach and attitude that demonstrates real spiritual maturity and an authentic love and desire for Christ as well as for the things of Christ.

It's a stark contrast to the rage and brow-beating that is commonly the response of those that cannot patiently bear with others in their spiritual development and who cannot tolerate for anyone to disagree with them because it threatens their fragile egos built on the approval of men and justification based on the collective affirmation of the group, rather than Christ.

It is so easy to be the latter. I must beware.

I must trust God that He will get me and those who disagree to where we need to be (we could both be wrong — God alone is wise), I must pray for them, I must desire their fellowship in Christ and seek to keep the togetherness already established by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) as I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

This is an ability that, I dare say, is not only required for discipleship but is proof whether I'm in the faith at all.

I can already hear, "How can two walk together unless they agree?"

They can when they share love of One greater than their disagreement.