“Do we still reap for all past sins if we are forgiven?”
This question was emailed to me by one of our regular readers, Brenda, back in September and it got put on the back burner during our Fall travels. Since it’s such a good question, one that others can profit from, I’m offering a public answer. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
Dr. Richard Swenson is a physician and a futurist, who wrote a 1990’s book entitled, “Margin.” He describes modern society as harried, hassled, and overloaded with no room left for rest.
Dr Swenson observes, “Overload is not having time to finish the book you’re reading on stress. Margin is having time to read it twice. Overload is fatigue. Margin is energy. Overload is red ink. Margin is black ink. Overload is hurry. Margin is calm. Overload is anxiety. Margin is security. Overload is a disease of our day. Margin is the cure.” Continue reading
in 1981, Harold Kushner, a prominent Jewish scholar, wrote “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” It was a best seller, because we are both troubled and intrigued by that question.
Equally perplexing is “Why do good people sin?” Continue reading
Filed under Sin
Kent and Barbara Hughes, in their book on ministry, tell of a gifted young preacher who had experienced a moral failure in his ministry.
He borrowed a pickup truck and wheeled in the church parking lot. Everyone watched as he backed across the church lawn to his study door. Refusing any assistance from the members and without any comments, he began emptying his office upon the truck bed. First, he emptied the content of his desk draws. Then His files. And finally his books. “He tossed them carelessly into a heap, many of them flopping askew like slain birds.” Continue reading
Filed under Sin
In yesterday’s post, I referred to Jesus as “the sinless Son of God.” In response one of our readers commented: “I am worried about your promotion of Jesus as ‘sinless.’”.
Then she added, “ I know Scripture and Christian teaching affirm Jesus as ‘sinless’”. However, the definition of sin has divided Christians. So perhaps you can write a blog and explain how the Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and the Protestants see sin and how Jesus and the cross redeem sinners…” Continue reading
Filed under Sin, Uncategorized
Joseph M. Stowell, in his book Following Christ, asks these probing and penetrating questions:
Who among us has not gone astray and indulged our flesh in some manner?
Who among us has not taken a detour after a driving ambition?
Who among us has not flirted in their mind with adultery?
Who among us has not risked stepping beyond the parameters of what is right? Continue reading
Filed under Sin, Temptation
On this day in history, October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, was the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
The 63-year-old schoolteacher was hurting financially and seeking fame, so she came up with this stunt she thought would grab the public’s attention. Continue reading
Filed under Sin, Temptation
“Modern Day ‘Good Samaritans Make A Difference” was the title to a post last December on ThePreachersWord.
It was a heartwarming story about a homeless Marine veteran, Johnny Bobbitt who used his last $20 to help a stranded woman, Katelyn McClure, buy gas. As a result, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, set up a GoFundMe page to help Bobbitt, which garnered over $400,000 in donations.
Sadly, we learned yesterday that the whole thing was a scam. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
My friend and preaching colleague, Wilson Adams called it “Symptomatology.” I thought he made it up. But it’s a real word. A medical word. But Wilson defined it as “treating symptoms instead of the real problem.”
“Truth is,” Wilson wrote in a recent facebook post, “we are becoming quite numb to school, church, and public killings. Immersed in a culture of violence, we are witnessing a lost generation without conscience moorings.”
“Why?” He asks. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
Yesterday we enjoyed driving around The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although it was a little cool, we stopped for some short walks on trails. It was a very pleasant and relaxing day.
One thing you soon notice in the park is the various warning signs. There are trail advisories. Warnings against feeding the bears. The danger of biking down steep grades. The probation of climbing rocks in certain areas. There was even a caution to watch for possible snow and ice. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
