Most of us have not-so-fond memories of some authority figure sitting us down to explain “the way it is.” We’d rather live in our own fantasy than in what we see as someone else’s reality, but Jesus has unique authority when he speaks of reality. Before he sent his disciples out on their first ministry assignment, he gave them (and us) a reality check. Some of what he told his disciples doesn’t fit well with the fantasies by which people prefer to live.
Read More priorities, discipleship, follower, conflict, rewards, family
No one likes to be deceived. Deceivers come in all forms; to your front door, in your mailbox, computer. . . and sometimes at the end of your pew. I have been scammed on at least one occasion that I will admit to. My weakness—I am too nice.
Jesus calls us to love all people, doesn’t He?
Read More discernment, conflict, deceit, shrewdness
King David’s son Absalom had plenty of reasons to be angry with his father. David did not act fairly as a parent. He favoured his elder sons and ignored the defiling of one of his daughters. When such family conflict was left unresolved, Absalom took matters into his own hands and murdered his own half-brother.
Absalom’s anger landed him a season in exile before David reluctantly allowed him to return to the proximity of the palace.
Read More evil, conflict, ambition
Read Reflect Knowing someone’s name in the Bible is not just a matter of gathering a piece of data. It implies an intimacy and even a mastery over the person. Jews to this day do not pronounce the name of God, but instead refer indirectly to “The Name.” It is significant that God says to […]
Read More conflict, name, government, chastening
Read Reflect Luke is such an honest man. He wants us to see how the Holy Spirit worked to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world. An exciting story! But it not an easy story. Luke is honest: the messengers of the good news face conflict and have to compromise, or do […]
Read More grace, conflict, moral issues
If you have ever had a deep conflict with another person, you know the deep emotional pain that comes with it. There are seasons of anger that are often accompanied by deep grief over a broken relationship. On the other side of this conflict is the joy that comes when we are reconciled with another person – when everything is in the open and love and grace freely flow.
Read More joy, forgiveness, conflict, reconciliation, confession, emotional pain
“Let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful creator, while continuing to do good” (4:19 NRSV). This is a good summary of 1 Peter’s theology of suffering. It does more than acknowledge the reality of persecution and suffering; it expects it and accepts it as an element of God’s will.
But not just any suffering qualifies. Suffering caused by unethical and criminal behaviour is not within God’s will.
Read More suffering, love, faithfulness, conflict, standing out
No one likes to be deceived. Deceivers come in all forms; to your front door, in your mailbox, computer. . . and sometimes at the end of your pew. I have been scammed on at least one occasion that I will admit to. My weakness – I am too nice.
Jesus calls us to love all people, doesn’t He?
Read More shrewdness, discernment, conflict, deceit