Christian Life

Positive Side Effects

Most of us have been exposed to the “sunshine, lollipops and rainbows” advertising for the latest drug to cure the ailment you didn’t know you had until now. Just as you are ready to call your doctor for an appointment to get a prescription to treat your newly diagnosed (by you) moderate to severe something or other you hear the words, “this drug is not for everyone, consult your doctor before trying it.” You nod your head in agreement while softly saying to the TV, “that’s what I am doing, I’m just on hold.” The commercial continues to show happy people free of the symptoms of moderate to severe something or other and you think to yourself, that could be me. Then the voice of doom begins the rundown of serious and possibly fatal side effects. Your mouth drops open as the “sunshine, lollipops and rainbows” ad turns into a warning of the coming apocalypse.

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What Do Others Think?

This Is What I Wish They Knew!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

What’s For Sale at Your Church?

They were the most difficult words anyone could hear as a pastor. They were the truth but they were also wrong. They were fundamental to his ability to do his job but they were also destructive to his ability to do his job in a Godly way. The easiest solution was to leave the church, but this would not address the issue, although it would make sure it wasn’t his problem. He could do as he was told, but this would be against his morals and would allow the existing problem to continue and maybe get worse. He could fight for what he believed to be right, but this could lead to the end of his job without the problem being addressed. The one thing that was clear, it could not be ignored.

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Runway or Runaway?

I had hope. I had good reason for having hope. I had very little reason to doubt, well maybe there were a few red flags but I had enough reasons to ignore them. It was there in the distance and I was lined up for my landing. I was sure I heard the tower, a bit faint and there was some static but still I was sure it was time for me to leave my Holding Pattern (click for last week’s post) and land.

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