I think all followers of Jesus should be "kind," don't you? There's a seldom-talked-about and even more seldom practiced Christian quality that's captured in a somewhat frequently used term in the New Testament – "Epieikes." Pronounce it any way you want to – I do. Since, in all likelihood you are already as kind as …
Making Adjustments (part four)
Does it seem to you that some Christians expect God, like a personal assistant, to keep everything on schedule and on an even keel? They might not express it that way, but their rush to hold him in contempt when Plan A is upset, delayed, or becomes altogether defunct, is pretty telling. To be disappointed …
The Black in “Black Friday”
I don’t usually talk much about stuff like this, but I couldn’t help myself. Is anyone else nauseated by the concept of “Black Friday”? Is it really my responsibility to put all my favorite retailers and our country’s economy “in the black” by buying a bunch of paraphernalia that neither my friends nor I need? …
Making Adjustments (part three)
How are Pharisees at making adjustments? Typically, Pharisees, the ones with the most hard-shelled spirituality are not very willing to modify their ideas on the fly. They tend to be more brittle than flexible in their faith. This inflexibility has a name. It’s uh, umm… oh yeah; it’s called “Religion!” And since the Pharisees are …
Making Adjustments (part two)
Some friends of mine who’ve made adjustments… And then there are the colossal unforeseen circumstances that require much larger adjustments: the death of a family member or friend, divorce, health crises, loss of career. I have two widow friends who lost their husbands at about the same time a few years back. One has wrapped …
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