Working with new generations (Gen Z) – Series The organized church was another major change, and began to solidify in around 300 CE when Roman Emperor Constantine made it the religion of the State. At the end of that era (around 400 CE) the Bible became an official canon of books as the Century closed, long after Constantine’s death. The “official canon” varies by denomination. Portions of this article used History of Christianity – Wikipedia as a reference. In the... Read more
Working with new generations (Gen Z) – Series We always look for stability, particularly as it supports our treasured beliefs and our identity. Churches offer a piece of both. We fear change, especially if it undermines financial security. “When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. “And they came to Him and woke... Read more
Part 1 – the need for change New generations largely regard the church with contempt. This has led many to think that the world is coming to an end. Not so at all. New generations have the same spiritual needs as people have had in the past, they just don’t find those needs met in churches. This generation won’t be worked with in the same way as older generations. A change on the part of church leaders is needed to... Read more
False Religion, True Religion series The wretchedness of the hypocrites and complacent Jesus talked a lot about the poster children of false religion, the Sadducees and Pharisees, which was addressed in a previous topic. He also told the wealthy that their wealth would stand in their way. But many of us are neither rich nor poor, we’re just comfortable. John, the writer of Revelations, talked about the comfortable in the church in Laodicea. Revelation 3: 14-17: “I know your deeds,... Read more
There is an old joke about St. Peter showing a man around Heaven. At the end of the tour the man asked St. Peter where people were from various denominations. St. Peter said, “See those walls. They think they’re the only ones here.” Obviously I’m starting in a humorous mood, so hold on. God has a place for all of his children What do we really know about the hereafter? Most of us haven’t seen Heaven, let alone a Seventh... Read more
False Religion, True Religion series Jesus was big on truth. What did he mean by truth? He spelled it out in a couple of verses, but I wanted to know more about what he meant by “worshiping in Spirit and in truth.” It took a lot of study back into the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father... Read more
False Religion, True Religion series Vladimir Putin has been raining down destruction and death on the country of Ukraine, demolishing entire major cities because he wants to own it. He quoted the Bible: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends,” from John 15:13 Perhaps Putin was talking about the sacrifices the Ukrainian people are making for their friends. The conqueror often wraps himself in the flag of greater ideals to make his... Read more
Whether it’s something humorous you want to say from the pulpit, a joke you want to tell to your friends, or a stand-up comedy act, it can get you in trouble. As our culture changes, sensitivities change. Humor can always be taken the wrong way. Is this why the words “Jesus smiled,” and “God smiled” are not in the Bible? I write humor, among other things. I love to exaggerate the differences between men and women, but that’s not very... Read more
False Religion, True Religion series I remember at age 6 watching my first horror movie, standing up and pointing at the screen and telling the character not to go in there. What’s as fun and as frightening as a horror story we all want to watch, shaking in our chairs while we eat popcorn? Answer: End times prophecy. Wringing our hands, shivering, and crying, “We’re all going to die!” According to some we’re all going to be trotted off to... Read more
False Religion, True Religion series How could a Christian minister, who simply wanted to get his family away from the perceived corruption of the world, become a terrorist willing to blow up the world? Unfortunately this true story told by an insider and spiritual leader, Kerry Noble, is all too common in our world today from Islamic terrorists to Christian terrorists. Image by Dorian Scott Cole This other aspect of the power of money to drive hate is not at... Read more
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