Christian Living – Page 2

Why is the Christian Community so Terribly Weak?

January 14, 2017August 12, 2017
by Sharon

“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24

We have churches the size of small cities in just about every metropolitan area. This creates the impression our Christian community is healthy and growing by leaps and bounds. In reality, according to the latest census, there has been zero growth in church attendance in the last 20 years. Sadly, our churches aren’t populated with scores of new people coming to faith nearly as much as people moving from one church to another. Read more “Why is the Christian Community so Terribly Weak?” →

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Was That Really God’s Plan?

December 7, 2016September 3, 2018
by Sharon

Last Saturday I eulogized the 28 year old son of a friend. There were plenty of tears and lots of well-wishes for the family. I overheard a number of people comfort the parents by telling them their son’s death “Must have been God’s plan.

The next day I did a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (nilmdts.com) hospital session for a baby in the NICU who is unlikely to ever go home with her parents. As a volunteer photographer I’m not allowed to share my faith with the families I serve. This particular baby girl belongs to a Christian family though. In fact, their pastor was there in the NICU to dedicate the baby to the Lord with a handful of family members in attendance. It was my honor to capture the event with pictures and video. Should the baby pass away, they’ll have the images as a lasting remembrance of their child. Read more “Was That Really God’s Plan?” →

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Mercy is a Form of Love That Covers Both…

November 18, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

We don’t see a whole lot of mercy or humility in America right now. And because of the way our media distorts absolutely everything we read and hear, it’s nearly impossible to make an accurate determination about what is true or just.

Every single person I know has a fundamental desire to do and be good. Some are better at it than others, to be sure, but I maintain that they all share the same instinct if not the same world view.

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No Fear!

November 8, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26

How are you feeling today? Are you at peace? Are you in turmoil over Politics and Fake News? Are you up to your eyeballs with work and the number of people who need something of you or from you? Are you worried about money? The future? Your health?

If you answered “peace” then praise God! If your answer was anything other than peace, I have great news for you.

The question is, do you desire the peace that transcends all understanding or would you rather live as though the fate of the whole world is in your hands?

Let’s face it; feeling like we are in control is a lot more fun than feeling like we are at the mercy of others. If you’ve ever suffered because of things beyond your control you know how sickening powerlessness can be.

We have a lifetime of experiences, choices and consequences that lead us to believe we determine our own fate. To some degree we are correct. While we have a certain amount of influence in the world and a certain ability to direct our own lives … the notion that we are in control is only an illusion.

No matter how healthy or strong we are, the future we imagine can be changed in an instant by things beyond our control.

No matter how we try to protect the people we love, we can’t keep them safe from a myriad of unspeakable things that happen in this world.

No matter who we vote for, we may wind up with the other guy (or gal) in the White House.

Like it or not, we can only control what we say and what we do. We have to trust God with everything else. When things don’t go the way we think they should, we have to remember that God is sovereign. We have to remember All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes.

[pullquote]”For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 1 Corinthians 4:17[/pullquote]

We have to remember who we are and the Mighty God we serve. How we respond to what happens in this world is THE greatest evidence of our faith in God…or lack of it.

Remember how much God loves you. His plan is perfect. His love is perfect. Believing that will bring you peace. Nothing else will.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

Half of us are unhappy with the person in the White House. Determine now to rise above it. Focus on your progress as a growing disciple of Jesus Christ. Become the kind of Christ follower who inspires others to grow in character and humility. Start a revolution of peace, love and faith in God’s Word.

And remember His promise:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Notice that the verse says “If my people” not “If everyone on earth”.

Hmmmm, how about that! As it turns out, Christian, the fate of our future really is in our hands.

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Tsunami of Hope!

October 18, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

There are a lot of different natural disasters in our world.

Thanks to the invention of the camera phone, many are recorded as they happen. Mud slides, earthquakes, flash floods, hurricanes, tornados… Each one a terrifying sight to behold. The sheer strength and force of them are humbling.

When nature versus humans, it’s almost always nature who claims the victory. Leaving in its wake a path of destruction that forever changes the face of the world as we know it.

If you ever wonder about how awesome the power of God and His created universe are, go ahead and watch a few of the videos. Try to watch them without your jaw dropping in amazement and horror. I doubt you can. Read more “Tsunami of Hope!” →

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A Few Thoughts on Women in Ministry

October 14, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

I remember the very first wedding I ever officiated. It was for a couple who were members of the church where I was on staff as a children’s pastor. The request caught me off-guard.

I was surprised anyone would ask a woman to officiate their wedding. It was pretty unconventional at the time. I suppose it still is to some degree.

I’m not sure I would have chosen a woman to marry Mike and me back in 1982. That isn’t terribly meaningful since the minister who did marry us also worked as an Elvis impersonator at the casinos down the road. That’ll drop the perceived holiness factor down a notch or two, won’t it? Go ahead. Take a moment to imagine Elvis saying, “Dearly b’loved, wer gatherd here t’day, tajoin thisman, and thiswoman inholymatrimony…” It takes you pretty far away from the sound of church bells, doesn’t it?

In our defense, we didn’t exactly choose the Elvis impersonator; he came with the wedding package we selected at The Love Chapel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Don’t judge. Read more “A Few Thoughts on Women in Ministry” →

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The Truth According to Whom?

October 13, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

I believe we must each determine what we believe to be truth and live in such a way it is congruent with what we say we believe.

If we bend and sway with every new thought or perspective we will never stand firm on anything. Yet, we must be very careful when it comes to matters that lead to more than one possible conclusion. There are many schools of thought. There are many scholars and theologians who have considered the exact same evidence … and don’t agree on all of the conclusions.[pullquote]what “I believe” and what is “true”, are not always the same thing[/pullquote]

At a minimum, that should tell us what “I believe” and what is “true”, are not always the same thing.

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When the “Bad Guy” in the Story is You…

August 23, 2016August 18, 2017
by Sharon

There is a story told about the painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. Perhaps you’ve heard it? As the story goes, Da Vinci considered hundreds of different models to portray the image of Jesus before finding a man whose face conveyed the character, innocence, personality and peace that would adequately represent our Lord and Savior. Following that, one by one, he selected models who would be the inspiration for each of the twelve Apostles. Andrew, Peter, James, John… Da Vinci carefully selected models with features he felt befitted each man; but struggled to find the last one. As the story goes, Read more “When the “Bad Guy” in the Story is You…” →

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“Them’s Fightin’ Words!”

August 9, 2016August 12, 2017
by Sharon

Surf the web at your own risk these days. Save for a few adorable videos of dogs and ducks becoming best friends or fluffy kittens playing with turtles, everything else seems to be about the sharp divides in the realm of politics, society and religion. In all my years on this planet I can’t recall a time where our society was more divided …or fraught with more people actively being divisive.

We can’t safely have philosophical differences and privately stand for or against a different ideology anymore. We have to choose a side and actively join the fight to either dominate or be dominated by those we disagree with. Read more ““Them’s Fightin’ Words!”” →

Tag: Christian Living

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26

Hmmmm, how about that! As it turns out, Christian, the fate of our future really is in our hands.

When nature versus humans, it’s almost always nature who claims the victory. Leaving in its wake a path of destruction that forever changes the face of the world as we know it.