I am originally from Ohio but I and my wife Cindy now live in New Mexico. I was first introduced to Jesus at age 11 but did not really start to walk with Him until I was 25. Since that time (with the exception of a few years off for bad behavior), I have studied His Word intensely, committing myself to find Him and follow after Him no matter what the cost. The long strange trip of my life has proven costly in many ways, but the treasure in Christ which I have gained is not worth comparing to the light and momentary afflictions which have been the milestones on my spiritual journey.
To be saved means to be rescued from danger or death. Many today believe themselves to be saved when they are not while many others do not believe there are any eternal dangers to be rescued from.
Spiritual shallowness and superficiality is the norm in most "churches." The only way out of that trap is to pursue God for yourself.
I have avoided making this a separate category because truly dealing with the demonic and deception is an integral part of deeper Christian living. But it is an area that deserves special consideration as spiritual warfare is a most neglected aspect in most Christians' lives today.
One of the saddest duties of any preacher of righteousness in this age of deception and lawlessness is the obligation to name the names of those who represent a real and serious danger of diverting genuine followers of Christ from the truth faith. Thankfully, the following list is short (I have not bothered to take on the vast numbers of "ministries" which have long since departed from Christ). May it stay that way!
The role of politics in the life of a Christian is very controversial but it is one of the stewardships that God has given us nonetheless.
The sum of our life is to be found in our relationships - to God and to one another.
It is better to be led than to be fed. He who feeds you a meal fills you for a moment, but he who leads you to green pastures where you can feed yourself gives you your life.
The "Church" Paradigm (a la Tozer) is a series that examines how A.W. Tozer, an otherwise excellent, Scriturally-based and spiritual writer, still blindly held to the "church" paradigm that keeps people from being everything Christ intends them to be.
- Introduction
- 1. Organization: Necessary and Dangerous (Part 1)
- 2. The Vital Place of the Church
- 3. Organization: Necessary and Dangerous (Part 2)
- 4. The Wasp and the Church Member (Part 1)
- 5. Pragmatism Goes to Church (Part 1)
- 6. The Way of Christ Is Still Narrow
- 7. The Wasp and the Church Member (Part 2)
- 8. We Must Be Still to Know
- 9. The Era of an Absentee God
- 10. Perils of the Preacher (Part 1)
- 11. Organization: Necessary and Dangerous (Part 3)
- 12. Perils of the Preacher (Part 2)
- 13. Artificial Divisions Are Harmful
- 14. The Responsibility of Leadership (Part 1)
- 15. The Responsibility of Leadership (Part 2)
- 16. Perils of the Preacher (Part 3)
More "Church" a la Carte
Building the Temple is a series of articles based on the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah and how they apply to those who would build the temple of the Holy Spirit in our time. (This series is a work in progress.)
6/1/520 B.C.
6/24/520 B.C.
7/21/520 B.C.
Zechariah's Prophecies
8/24/520 B.C.
9/24/520 B.C.
11/24/519 B.C.
9/4/518 B.C.
Ekklesia or Church? may someday be (God willing) a book (God knows). These essays, which have been edited and updated, are about the "church" and the ekklesia and they are a timely message to everyone who is seeing the shallowness, the error and the insanity of "church" life and who want to know the truth about being the body of Christ, the ekklesia.
The Gospel transcends our culture - though many "Christians" seem unable to recognize this truth. Unless our message calls our culture and society to account, we have a "different gospel."
- The Lord's Work and Way
- Poverty in the Body of Christ is a series of articles produced by personal experience.
- Introduction. You can't fully understand poverty until you've been there.
- Prologue The story of Caleb offers us more than you might think.
- 1. Neglecting the Poor God is wanting us to change the way we deal with the poor.
- 2. Dealing With the Impoverished How we view the "poor" affects how we interact with them.
- 3. More Than Words Is what we say to the poor different than what we really are in relation to those who have less than enough?
- 4. Not of the Body Does our treatment of the poor and one another have more significance than modern "Christianity" teaches?
- 5. American Independence vs. Body Interdependence Is our Americanized independence actually preventing us from being the Body of Christ?
- 6. Do What They Need Who really benefits from all those "good" things we do?
- 7. Going to the Source The source upon which we draw - God or our self - may well be the difference between eternal life and death.
- Conclusion There are several words - not just one - that we need to consider to make righteous conclusions in this matter.
- Epilogue What others do have nothing to do with our responsibilities before God.
There's always something that just doesn't quite fit into the major categories.
Following a word through its every occurrence in the Bible and contemplating the meaning can impart a much greater understanding of "the whole counsel of God." May you be as edified in reading as I was in writing.
The short treatments of these verses attempts to bring back to light the plain, hard truths that have been lost through over-reliance on such study techniques as "context." These "bullets" are for shooting down false practices and doctrines (perhaps even our own!) - not for harming our brothers. Handle with care, prayer and grace!
Writing down these reflections and meditations on the Scripture have helped me at times in my life. Perhaps reading them will help you in some way.
- James - Now updated through Jas. 1:8
These are songs and poems that God gave me during particularly intense times of my life. Though you won't hear the songs sung, perhaps reading them will touch your spirit.
I'd love to hear comments and/or questions from you! Email me!