Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

When evil comes, should I respond with "an eye for an eye?" Perhaps the justice system has a societal job, and I have a personal job. Perhaps I should give this some thought.  If an "eye for an eye" is given personally, doesn't this leave everybody blind metaphorically?  Do not let evil overcome you by you becoming evil. When you encounter evil against you: throw goodness...

Why do we sometimes attach oaths to our words? Why might we be tempted to add an oath, for example, "I swear on the grave of my mother?" Why would something I say, merit the calling upon the support of the burial plot of someone dear to me?  This is such a strange thing: that adding an OATH somehow increases the likelihood of a statement being TRUE.  The fact that there are oaths at all...

The Bible has some things to say about the marriage promise. It also has some things to say about the ending of the marriage promise, that is divorce.  Jesus speaks clearly and protectively about marriage in the Sermon on the Mount.  There is not a person watching/reading this who has not been touched somehow by divorce. This is a no-shame-podcast. My hope is that it will help you "keep your...

Sex is serious business. To say that it will characterize and define your life is putting it mildly.  To change your sexual trajectory is likely to be difficult.   Jesus has some things to say about how aggressive to be in rooting out errors in sexual thoughts and sexual behaviors.  Join me in listening and considering.  https://youtu.be/Lcik2TrN5VQ

Humans have been attracted to each other since Adam's "Eureka!" exclamation in the garden. So we are not the first generation to try and get it right. Jesus expands adultery to include even lustful thoughts in Sermon on the Mount. Mostly today we'll turn to Proverbs of 3000 years ago to steer us into truth.   Remarkably, it will tell us exactly which breasts to be intoxicated b...

You know that moment when you are standing in the parking lot of the outfitter,  j ust about ready to get in your raft to go white water rafting?          Your crew is assembled. Life jackets are on. Wetsuits are on because it is the spring thaw and the river is high. . Paddles are in hand. Then your guide: Rafe (with the good arms) will  be your guide. He’ll instruct you on the commands you need...

In Toy Story, Woody is in trouble. Before the other toys embark on their rescue mission, Mrs. Potato Head packs Mr. Potato Head's bag.  "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes and your ANGRY EYES , just in case" . Should we welding our ANGRY EYES upon our relationships? Listen 7 minute to find out if we should also be packing our ANGRY EYES! Share. Retweet. Like. Subscribe. Jus...

God takes anger seriously.  Deathly seriously. Anger=Murder as a rule in our human interactions. There just isn't much daylight between the intent of the two.  Our Scripture passage is a call to immediately go and fix this breach before someone is harmed: YOU! Drop everything and make this right. If you have been angry, you probably have been murderously sinful.  Take these 7 minutes as serio...

All the good stuff in the Bible serves to tell us about how we make it into heaven.  We're tempted to think we can earn our way in. The good book will shut our mouths and disabuse us of such notions.  We’ll will never enter heaven by being good. We’ll only enter heaven by HIS GOODNESS. Join me for 7 minutes right now to see if you are going to make it. Of course, we'll let Him decide. ht...

Jesus teaches that at least one of the goals of Christianity IS TO BE SEEN. Your salt is to be tasty, your light is for the world. Your city is to be on a hill. Your lamp should be on a stand, not in a basket. The goal is to be seen. Why? For me? Nope. It is for Him. He is the one that is ultimately glorified and worshipped.   Join me for 7 minutes to assess whether your lamp is under a basket. ;-...

The Beatitudes are a GREAT WAY TO LIVE: bent before God, mourning over sin, working in this world towards peace, being poor in spirit, thirsting for righteousness, & extending a fistful of mercy towards those who deserve a fistful of justice In so doing,  you'll get a reward NOW and LATER too: You’ll be a son of God, demonstrating His character, receiving mercy yourself, & being spiri...

Are you ready for service? Blessed are the pure. Are you prepared with a fistful of mercy for some knucklehead that deserves a fistful of Justice? Blessed are the merciful. Do you want justice? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for it.  The beatitudes are for you. https://youtu.be/cXBUicP0rZs

The Bible is of particular use if it shows us how we might live beautifully. We place ourselves before the beatitudes for a reason: to help us live right. Join me for a little recap of the first three beatitudes. God loves the poor in spirit, and the mourning over our state of sin. He examples meekness for us in Jesus. If your life could use a little improvement, consider the beatitudes for the ne...

So what if persecution comes my way for being a Christian? Should I be surprised? Actually, it should be expected. Trouble comes to the people of God by the humans the Lord is troubling in their souls.  At least they are near enough to the kingdom to hear about the Lord's story.  They get stirred up and then the target of their persecution is you.  In a sense, you should be honored. Listen 7...

To be persecuted means to be "chased after for the purpose of giving flight". It means that you are in the game, fighting the fight, doing the right thing. It means that you are participating in "the offense of the Gospel".  Persecution happens when a particular stand is being taken. Welcome to being pursued.  Like, subscribe and share. https://youtu.be/e7BiNTjN_Fc

My poor mother watch us 4 boys fight for 20 years straight, all the while desiring that "we all get along". Her desire was indeed a godly desire. She wanted peace in her little kingdom of the family. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons and daughters of God.  Why? Because peace-making is a godly, God-representing-here-on-earth, activity.  Listen to the story.  See if...

As this is written, the US and Iran are at WAR. When peace is made, DIVIDENDS are enjoyed.  For my silly example, the stock market goes up. He had made PEACE WITH ME. The least I can do is act like it. There should be a PEACE DIVIDEND that is seen and demonstrable. Spend 6 minutes with me to see if your life demonstrate a PEACE DIVIDEND. Subscribe and Like and share.  Perhaps that can be such a di...

How are men made to be at peace with God? Peace is made by the most violent of activities: the Cross. It is there that He takes the alienated, the hostile and the evil, and makes peace with them. What happens to the previous state of hostility? It is killed at the cross. Join me for a 7 minute look at this state of war and peace.  https://youtu.be/ir3XsuVMBy4

Go be a peacemaker.  First, you gotta have peace yourself.  God has made PEACE WITH ME. The least I can do is act like it. Then, there should be a PEACE DIVIDEND that is demonstrable to my fellow combatants.  Listen 7 minutes toward peace. https://youtu.be/--JOea0upMA

The pure in heart get to see God. In the end, literally, to see God . That's right: face to face. When the people of God change their zip code to the same one as God, the scenery is going to change a bit.  There's some stuff that won't be seen any more: death, pain, and mourning. But there are some new sights in the real estate and relational categories. Visualise for 7 minutes with...

We sometimes have "Hearts of Stone" in regards toward God. We sometimes require " Heart of Stone" surgery. We must not "harden our hearts" to the HEART-OF-STONE surgery that is offered for us. Listen 7 minutes to see how we can do it!  Then subscribe and share:  https://youtu.be/jnM9uWJRMpo

Being pure in heart doesn’t happen by accident.  A pure heart is a heart that is KNOWN.  A pure heart is a heart that enjoys the affection of God. We do not wear an INVISIBILITY cloak before God, but an ACCEPTABILITY Cloak.   A pure heart is one of borrowed purity. Find out how: https://youtu.be/3rSfRMZ_j-4

What is purity? It means Clean, without blemish. A pure object as used in Revelation is one ready to be of service.  Blessed are the PURE in Heart, for they shall see God Mt.5:8 Why be pure? God likes it, you'll like it, and others will like it.          Being pure in heart doesn’t happen by accident. Join me today to get started. https://youtu.be/IWWagStJjno

We are Living in MERCY-WORLD, at least for now. That is, we live in a mercy-world, yet we won’t always live in a mercy-world. Our charge today is to d o the right thing while we live in mercy-world. Namely:          Repent while the repenting is still available          Extend mercy to the knuckleheads you live with. Nothing better shows the mercy of God than the mercy of a fellow knucklehead.  Bl...

What should I do with the worst person in my life? Ironically, they may play the largest role in who I become. I hope you have somebody in your life who doesn't deserve your mercy; maybe deserves your wrath. To do the right thing with mercy (blessed are the merciful...) you have to start with somebody hard; with someone who does not deserve it.  Endeavor Give mercy to one who should be receiv...