Welcome to Christmas Eve! It’s a special time. After the presents have been bought, we gather to sing carols and ponder the significance of Christ’s birth. [If you’re close to Barrie and are looking for somewhere to worship tonight check out the links below.] But we live in a world of skepticism. Many people ask … Continue reading Your life and legacy
bible
Does it make you uncomfortable?
Do some of Jesus’ teachings make you uncomfortable? Be honest. Think about a story or teaching that makes you squirm a little. -Maybe it’s one of the ones about helping the poor and it makes you uncomfortable because you know you can be apathetic to the plight of those who are struggling. -Maybe it’s about … Continue reading Does it make you uncomfortable?
Believing what we WANT to be true, verses what actually is
A 2007 Gallup poll revealed that 81% of people believe in heaven, but only 69% believe in hell. That seems strange to me. But it’s also very telling. We like to believe in things we like, but not in things we don’t. The Scottish theologian James Denney did a survey of Jesus’ teaching and found … Continue reading Believing what we WANT to be true, verses what actually is
Over-committed people
Let me start by throwing something out there that might rattle a few cages. Over-committed people are un-committed people. Here’s what I mean because I realize I'm going to have to put a few footnotes on that statement! When you over-commit to the wrong things you can’t deliver on the right things. In other words, … Continue reading Over-committed people
The words that are inspired inspire
Have you ever played Scrabble? The idea is simple: Make words for points, and whoever gets the most points wins. But issues can arise when someone puts a word on the board that the other player doesn’t recognize. If challenged it has to be looked up in an agreed-upon dictionary. The word only stays if it’s … Continue reading The words that are inspired inspire
Whose words to you will never fail
A friend who doesn’t share my beliefs was telling me his “bucket list”—things he wanted to do before he died, before he “kicked the bucket”! In addition to things like snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef was reading the Bible. He told me that even though he wasn’t a Christian, he realized that the Bible … Continue reading Whose words to you will never fail
When your faith becomes a punching bag
“You know that Jesus wasn’t a real person, right? You know he was just based on ancient myths, right?” That’s what a friend said to me in university. And do you want to know how I replied? It was a REALLY profound response that made them stop in their tracks, change their mind, and immediately … Continue reading When your faith becomes a punching bag
Getting your head in the game
When I was small my Little League team would say a cheer right before we ran onto the field. It was a way to rally ourselves and focus on what we were about to do. Maybe it seems strange, but it can be good practice to have a ritual before you read your Bible too. … Continue reading Getting your head in the game
It’s not supposed to insult your intelligence
The Bible is big... and confusing. So how do you interpret it? As Thomas Merton says, it's supposed to challenge your intelligence (not insult it). Here's how.
Read to understand (not just to finish)
You know you should read the Bible. But there's like a zillion pages. This one tip may make you wiser as you try to more fully understand God's will in your life.
