As you probably know, it is common for Christians to experience doubt, especially when God acts or doesn’t act in ways contrary to our expectations.
In fact, doubt is such a near universal experience among Christians that we see it manifested in the original disciples of Jesus.
“Man of Sorrows”
By David H. Waller
There are times when you try to stay measured, stick to the facts, and let things play out. And then there are times when you look around and realize something has gotten out of hand.
This is one of those times.
The gravel trucks moving in and out of Albany have become a real danger to the people who live here, work here, and drive these roads every day.
Last week, on March 23, Pati Jones walked into the office and asked me to come take a look at her car. Her windshield looked like it had been shot with a rifle.
Living in the DFW area for more than 10 years, I was an avid listener of The Ticket. If you have lived there and you are any kind of sports fan at all, you probably were too. It was one of those things that became part of the daily routine. You got in the car, headed to work, and The Ticket was already on. My favorite show was always The Musers with Craig Miller, George Dunham and Gordon Keith.
THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
Mankind (humanity) was made in the image of God (cf. Genesis 1:26, 27); but, because of sin, this became a broken and distorted image (Romans 3:23). Then Jesus came into the world. Jesus was “the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the “exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus came to show us the Father (John 1:18; 14:7-9). The essence of Christianity is returning to the likeness of God (2 Peter 1:3, 4).
IS GOD SHOWING THROUGH YOUR LIFE?
Later, knowing that all was now completed (tele), and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled (teleio), Jesus said, “I am thirsty” ... When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished (tele).” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:28, 30 (NIV)
These three words completed, fulfilled, finished, all derive from the same Greek root, telos, which means; end, completed, finished, accomplished, cancelled.
CHOOSING THE
RIGHT WAY
The baseball great, Yogi Berra, had a number of famous quotes about choosing your path in life:
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”
“You gotta be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”
“I know we’re lost, but we’re making great time!”
The Necessity of
Spiritual Growth
In every area of life, healthy things grow. Children grow. Trees grow. Businesses grow. Muscles grow when exercised. Growth is a sign of life. When something stops growing, it begins to decline. The same is true spiritually. A living faith must be a growing faith.
Spiritual growth is not optional for the believer; it is essential.
What gives you pleasure? I ask because there is an old and persisting point of view that pleasure is the fundamental motivator of human behavior. We can date this assumption back to the third century BC philosopher Epicurus who famously said: “Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.” More recently, the 18th century English philosopher Jeremy Bentham opined: “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.” We are impelled to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
By David H. Waller
Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training last week, which always feels like the unofficial signal that winter is winding down. For me, it also brings back a lot of memories, because baseball has quietly shaped much of my life and career.
