Imagine the unity of being a new Christian in the early church. You and your friends witnessed the life and death of the long-awaited Messiah. You heard Jesus pray that you would all be one, see John 17:21. Talk about a ‘Shared Cultural Moment’![1] You were a witness to the crucifixion and resurrection—or at leastContinue reading “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love, But They’ll Know We Are Mature by Our Unity. 1 Corinthians 3:3.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
FAHRENHEIT 451. Acts 19:19.
What do you think of book burning? Heating printed pages to 451 degrees Farenheit? Most Americans are against it—and against censorship of any kind. But believe it or not, some great legal minds have advanced arguments in FAVOR of censorship. In fact, we ALREADY censor child pornography. Some argue we should censor all pornography (asContinue reading “FAHRENHEIT 451. Acts 19:19.”
One Reason to Ignore the Ratings System. Acts 19:19.
When I was a kid, I imagined that the day I turned 13, my parents would rush me off to a PG-13 movie. And four years later, on my 17th birthday, I’d go out and watch all the R-rated movies I could afford. It was as if there were something magical about the ratings andContinue reading “One Reason to Ignore the Ratings System. Acts 19:19.”
INFLUENCERS. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.
We hear about “social media influencers.” Most are young people with a talent for engaging an audience. Celebrities, including singers, actors, and athletes (so many soccer players!), top the lists, but even the highest ranks include four members of the Kardashian family—the family of OJ’s lawyer—who, like Paris Hilton, are merely “famous for being famous.”Continue reading “INFLUENCERS. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.”
INCENTIVE. 1 Corinthians 9:7-10.
Satan is the father of lies; one of the worst is COMMUNISM. Communism KILLS. Karl Marx blamed the world’s problems on class warfare: the rich have the capital (money) and keep the poor impoverished, jealous, and resentful. Marx invented COMMUNISM: everyone works, the government takes everything, and then hands out money in a way thatContinue reading “INCENTIVE. 1 Corinthians 9:7-10.”
HARD WORK IS THE RIGHT THING. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8, 10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
There is a notion that spiritual people should not involve themselves in hard work, but stay inside, keep their hands clean, think deep thoughts, and somehow make themselves more spiritual by doing less. That is ridiculous! Jesus had dirt under his fingernails. And a farmer’s tan. And scars on his hands from years of hardContinue reading “HARD WORK IS THE RIGHT THING. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8, 10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11.”
Cooking Thought for the Day. Revelation 3:14-22.
Have you ever put something like spaghetti in the microwave then sat down to eat it only to find it had cool spots in it? Isn’t that the worst—when you expect it to be hot and it’s lukewarm? Yuck. Jesus talks about Christians with lukewarm faith in Revelation 3:14-22: “To the angel of the churchContinue reading “Cooking Thought for the Day. Revelation 3:14-22.”
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
When I was a child, John Conlee sang a song about perspective: “But these rose-colored glasses that I’m looking through, Show only the beauty, ‘cause they hide all the truth.” I remember asking, “What are rose-colored glasses?” Mama told me it means you don’t see the negatives. That is not a bad thing. If youContinue reading “ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.”
ECCLESIASTES Part 2: THE KEY TO GODLY ADULTHOOD IS TO RECOGNIZE HARD TRUTHS, BUT CHOOSE JOY AND SERVE GOD.
After the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:31) encourages adults to face hard truths and take life seriously, he adds the unexpected, “now lighten up.” It is as though Solomon says: Work hard, do what’s right, remember one day you will face judgment—and HAVE FUN! While living wisely, choose joy! The truth is,Continue reading “ECCLESIASTES Part 2: THE KEY TO GODLY ADULTHOOD IS TO RECOGNIZE HARD TRUTHS, BUT CHOOSE JOY AND SERVE GOD.”
ECCLESIASTES Part 1: A MESSAGE FOR ADULTS—WORK HARD, GO TO FUNERALS, BE SERIOUS.
Ecclesiastes is misunderstood because a few influential preachers have described it as cynical words from Solomon during a period in his life when he was not following God. However, Solomon encourages readers to worship and obey God nearly twenty times in twelve chapters. A better understanding is that this is a book for ADULTS. EcclesiastesContinue reading “ECCLESIASTES Part 1: A MESSAGE FOR ADULTS—WORK HARD, GO TO FUNERALS, BE SERIOUS.”
Household Words: 