Faith

  Jim came to see me with a message from the finance committee he chaired. The group met when I was with another group, so I missed their meeting. I’d begun to use cards for Sunday guests that were actually envelopes. The simple message on the envelopes was “Please use my gift as an expression…

  Some people say Christianity is about a relationship rather than religion. It’s true that a relationship with God through being born again is required to enter the kingdom of God. But what does the Bible say about religion? The Book of James provides insight into that question. Specifically, James 1:27 describes pure and undefiled…

  Can a “Christian” sin so as to be eternally lost? Can a “Christian” fall from God’s grace? We are not talking about whether a “faithful Christian” will go to heaven. There is absolutely no question there. Our question is whether a “righteous” person can become “unrighteous” and be lost eternally? Let’s lay aside human…

The wind in my face was bitterly cold in downtown Dallas a few years ago since the winter weather was yet lingering. My continuing education classes had ended at the seminary in nearby Ft. Worth, so the afternoon was free for some sightseeing. A chill came over me independent of the temperature when I walked…

The cardiologist at my annual appointment asked if I’d ever had a sleep study. I said no. He suggested I do and see what we learn. What I learned is that you sleep very little during a sleep study. The kindly attendant wired me from head to toe and put a large control monitor around…

A newly-called music minister asked for long-range sermon plans. I told him I had none, though once I did. A seminary professor required us to submit a year’s pulpit work. We students did the same kind of thing, beginning with special days like Mother’s Day and Easter and Christmas – we knew what we’d talk…