In the late 1960s, 14,000 workers were dying on the job each year. Combined with disabling injuries and work-related diseases, going to work had become increasingly dangerous. Thus, US politicians drafted the Occupational Safety and Health Act. President Nixon signed the bill into law in 1970 and here’s where it gets interesting … the details.Continue reading “God is in the Details.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.
“Holy” means “other.” God is OTHER than us, He is different, He is perfect. He embodies TOTAL TRUTH and PERFECT PURITY. He must be FEARED and RESPECTED. After a lifetime witnessing miracles, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were ordained as priests through a week-long process of sacrifices. How did they respond? “Now Nadab and AbihuContinue reading “Worship Means Recognizing God’s Holiness.”
Mercy and Holiness.
What if your son treated a loaded gun like a toy? What would you do? Some things require an absolutely sober seriousness, right? It’s not about the child, but the NATURE OF THE OBJECT. Guns, by nature, command sobriety and respect. They are DIFFERENT than other things. They are SET APART. Aaron’s sons brought “unauthorizedContinue reading “Mercy and Holiness.”
Be Not Drunk With Spirits, But Filled With the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.
Few subjects in America are more controversial than alcohol. It is not so in Europe. C.S. Lewis spoke often of “having a pint.” He saw no problem with drinking. But 100 years after Prohibition, Americans remain divided. We outlawed the sale of liquor to address a serious problem. Then we made it legal again becauseContinue reading “Be Not Drunk With Spirits, But Filled With the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.”
New York State of Mind.
New Yorkers are known for being tough, argumentative, even rude—common traits in a densely populated city. But they have another trait that may not seem to fit: they don’t want to get involved. If a purse is stolen, it’s “I didn’t see nuthin,’ I don’t know nuthin.’” No one wants to help. But sometimes justice requiresContinue reading “New York State of Mind.”
The Role of Old Testament Law in Health.
Jesus redeemed us from the law. However, Old Testament laws continued to serve an important purpose, because many of them protect people from dangers science would not discover for centuries. Here are examples in addition to the recently mentioned hand washing and burying of “night soil”: “All FAT belongs to the Lord. This is aContinue reading “The Role of Old Testament Law in Health.”
None of These Diseases, Part 2.
Recently I wrote to you about Exodus 15:26: “If you will listen to the voice of the Lord … and keep all His statutes, then I will put NONE OF THESE DISEASES on you…” God promises His people that if they obey, they will not have the diseases of the pagans. For example, those whoContinue reading “None of These Diseases, Part 2.”
Finders Keepers.
You’ve heard the code of the schoolyard: “Finders-Keepers, Losers-Weepers.” Is that the law? Can you simply keep things you find, telling yourself they must have been abandoned? No. That is not the law. Britain actually retains a criminal charge known as “THEFT BY FINDING.” It is possible to find something and be accused of theftContinue reading “Finders Keepers.”
Here’s to the Cooks.
We elevate religious leaders. But the preacher is not a different breed. My childhood pastor was a gifted orator and a man with nearly irresistible leadership qualities. Yet, he was humble and chose to be called “Brother John”—an equal. Preachers, elders, and priests are your equals. So are doctors, lawyers, bankers, statemen. But you knowContinue reading “Here’s to the Cooks.”
“Just as the Lord Commanded.” Exodus 40:34
In Exodus 39 and 40, the artisans used their crafts to build the tabernacle. Do you know what the tabernacle is? If the temple is God’s House, the tabernacle is God’s mobile home: it could be moved. The artists and craftsmen obeyed God in EVERY DETAIL. The result: God’s glory. 39:1— “They made … garmentsContinue reading ““Just as the Lord Commanded.” Exodus 40:34″