Month: August 2017

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God Hates

Open BookThere has been such an overwhelming focus on God’s love over the past few decades that it may come as a surprise to many that there are things that God does indeed hate. Yes, it’s true. God is a God of love AND a God of hate. It shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise to us. After all we are made in His image and our passions flow in both directions as well.

While we don’t have time in this article to do an exhaustive study of the topic, it is fairly safe to say that all of the things God hates can be placed into two categories: 1.) Actions that diminish His rightful worship; 2.) Actions that diminish or corrupt His Creation. Continue reading “God Hates”

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Peace Be Still

Boat sailingAn easy metaphor for our current reality is a boat on a storm-tossed sea. A graphical representation of that metaphor could be painted as miles of ocean surrounding a tiny boat that is tilting to one side about to be engulfed by a large wave, as torrents of rain pour from above. Such a picture would provide an observer a singular perspective of the dangers of the storm and the isolation and vulnerability of the vessel.

Unfortunately, such a picture would not represent our modern perspective. That view is too far removed from the actual experience; the sheer terror of turmoil and danger; the pure adrenaline of the moment and the filters of our past experiences. No, our perspective is painted from the boat itself. We are often plagued not only with the fears we know, but also the ones we do not. Mental images of jagged rocks just beneath the surface, vessels and other dangers just beyond our ability to see, circling sharks awaiting their next meal. We are driven by our deepest fears as we desperately cling to some semblance of hope in a future where we can survive.  Continue reading “Peace Be Still”

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Being Fruitful in Despair

grapesHave you ever found yourself at a place in life where the circumstances of the moment crowded out and overshadowed the Prophetic Promises spoken in the past? Have you ever found yourself so pressed by current adversities that you could see no path forward?

If you said yes, Joseph was certainly a person who could empathize. As a young man he literally had dreams of being a leader. In those dreams he saw his older brothers bowing down to him. I’m sure he was very excited at the prospect of a fruitful and meaningful life. I doubt he understood the course it would take to get there.

Continue reading “Being Fruitful in Despair”

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I Want to Be the German Shepherd

shepherdYou never know where life’s precious lessons are going to come from. More often than not, they come from observing the actions of others. In my case, my observations yesterday were not of people, rather they were of two dogs.

After helping my youngest daughter pick out a couple of bottom feeders for her aquarium, I queued up in the rather long line to checkout. I knew it would take a little while, and told both of my girls that they could look around if they wanted while I waited in line.

Amazingly, they found the kittens and birds more interesting than the line, so they left. In my crowded solitude, I began to look around at the people and animals nearby. A lady in front of me was holding the leash of a gorgeous, young German Shepherd – not quite a puppy, but far from fully grown. His body was perfectly posed and he looked down the aisle with a seemingly curious look on his face.

Continue reading “I Want to Be the German Shepherd”