College professors love theory. One favorite question is “How many angels could dance on the head of a pin?” But when profs talk theory, students lose interest, answering “So what? What does that have to do with my life?” Some think the Bible is like that too: ALL THEORY, and that scripture is all deepContinue reading “The Bible is Full of Practical, Every-day Wisdom.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Sex.
There is not much debate about the morality of adultery: most people are against it. Everyone understands that it is the most fundamental kind of betrayal: to sleep with a married person is to destroy a marriage and family and to risk tremendous damage and hurt to innocent children. But about pre-marital sex, the consensusContinue reading “Sex.”
Haunted Houses.
People love haunted houses, though we say there’s no such thing. But not so fast. While I would not suggest a house can be occupied by the souls of dead people, there IS Biblical support for the idea that locations are connected to the sins committed in them. The ground remembers where innocent blood wasContinue reading “Haunted Houses.”
Not My Problem.
Heather was the warmest girl in law school. She was kind and generous and as sweet as pie. She would do anything for anyone. When a lawyer needed a bone marrow transplant, students were asked to give blood at a local firm in order to find a match. Heather refused our offer to carpool overContinue reading “Not My Problem.”
Words: Copy Them, Recite Them, Ponder Them.
Our lives exist in words, don’t they? What we DO is important, but what we SAY is more important. When a person like your grandfather begins to speak less, it is as if we have lost the most important part of him. Words guide everything we do: rules, laws, agreements, promises, affirmation, criticism, goals, missionContinue reading “Words: Copy Them, Recite Them, Ponder Them.”
How Do You Keep Children Obedient?
If you were God, you would face the challenge of parenting humans: when you bless them, they get cocky, rude, and selfish. When you punish them, they repent—but it hurts to watch them suffer. This is the Deuteronomic principle: if you love children, you want to lavish them with gifts—but when you do they becomeContinue reading “How Do You Keep Children Obedient?”
Gift Giving.
Prophecy says when the world receives a certain bit of news, everyone will “celebrate, and they will send gifts to one another” Rev. 11:10. Consider human nature: when people are really happy, they celebrate by giving each other gifts. Have you ever been so happy you wanted to give gifts? It is a rare andContinue reading “Gift Giving.”
Thus Sayeth.
Does God speak to people today? Absolutely. “My sheep hear My voice” John 10:27. But do we ALWAYS rightly interpret things? No. Do we sometimes suspect God is giving us a message, but are uncertain? Yes. Sometimes we need to keep praying, or sleep on it, or let some time pass. I have often prayed,Continue reading “Thus Sayeth.”
Have You Been Influenced by Idol Worshippers? Deuteronomy 13:6-10.
Do you have lost friends? Yes. Do you admire personal heroes who happen to be lost? Yes. Do they influence you? Yes. Anytime you like or admire someone, their choices influence you. It’s as if you were two sheep wandering across a field. If you like or admire another sheep and he takes a certainContinue reading “Have You Been Influenced by Idol Worshippers? Deuteronomy 13:6-10.”
The Secret to Happiness.
What do you want? What does everyone really want? It’s not money, fame, success, or true love. Those are the means to achieve the goal of HAPPINESS. We want to be happy, though we each believe different things will help us reach that goal. God’s Word clears up the confusion. Though they may provide happinessContinue reading “The Secret to Happiness.”
Household Words: 