No, cosmology is not the study of cosmetics; that’s cosmetology. Cosmology is the study of our universe, its origin and meaning. Any view taken of the origin of the universe must be based on faith, since there is no extant method of ‘proving’ how it came into being.
I put my faith in God, accepting what I believe to His account of creation recorded in the Bible. Others take a different perspective, accepting the idea that all things are simply t... read all »
Seems like a good question for everyone who’d claim to be a disciple. After all, a disciple is a learner or a pupil. Jesus Himself said, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free‘, John 8:31-32. What do you make of that statement? Is just being ‘in the church’ enough?
As Jesus gave us His word, He asked a lot of questions. As a matter of fact, the ... read all »
Last week it was my honor to have a part in presiding over a funeral for Louis Thompson. He served as the pulpit minister for the Choctaw congregation for seventeen years and then as a family minister and elder for several years after that.
Those of us who took part in his memorial service were commended by many for doing a good job of handling it. The reality, however, is that it was Louis’ transformed life and years of service and commitment to the Lord t... read all »
A perception generally exists in the minds of men that says, “When a woman openly displays a part of her body “beyond reasonable propriety”, it is in order to attract attention and even to arouse desire.” Such displays usually come across this way regardless of what is intended. It seems a sort of taunting, tempting tease. The progression of thought in a man’s mind may go something like this:
She displays it, so she must want me to pay... read all »
I don’t remember what the hard piece of news was that I overheard in the church announcements. All I remember was the question that occurred to me in regard to it, ‘What would I do if I cared?’
It is a simple question to understand, but not always so simple to answer. And with so many possible applications, it is a constantly reoccurring one.
For example, what would I do if I cared when I saw strangers in Bible class and worship? If I cared, ... read all »
I see a subtly detrimental habit being practiced by some very good people. I speak of those who are chronically late for worship or Bible class. There, I said it. Hunt me down and give me a piece of your mind if you must, but I am compelled to admonish the guilty and hopefully, effect a life changing renewal of punctuality.
Why? Well, really, if you ask someone who tends to show up late for scheduled events, they will almost certainly tell you themselves that the... read all »
What guides your decision making? Do you allow yourself to fall victim to your own selfishness, or are you guided by good reasoning based on what you know to be right?
Let’s put it in a context. Bible Class. Uh, oh. I know, I’m meddling again. But really, do reason and right rule in your God-given right to decide for yourself?
Are you the ant (Proverbs 6:6-11) or are you the sluggard?
Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, whic... read all »
Emotions often run high when people speak of the present day nation of Israel. Some still consider them to be God’s chosen people. Others speak as though God has totally ‘written them off’ so to speak, and that we should as well. I believe the truth is somewhere in between.
As far as I can tell, there is no definitive word from Jesus or His apostles that teaches us exactly how we should specifically view Israel in our day. I do believe, however,... read all »
Most of us probably think of thugs as dim-witted, brutal hoodlums who do harm to any who are unfortunate enough to be found in their path. Well, ok, maybe this is because that’s what a thug is… today.
But did you know that ‘thugs’ were originally members of a religious sect in India that apparently came into being sometime in the 1300’s? They were worshipers of Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. They worked by befriending trave... read all »
Does the word make you think of the last day, the final day, when the Lord returns and we stand before Him to give an account?
We should make ourselves aware that even though there will be a final judgment, God has already come in judgment many times throughout history and that He has made this fact very clear. Have you read of His coming in judgment on Egypt from long ago?
Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; the idols of... read all »
Peter spoke of those in his day who distorted God’s word and brought on their own destruction by manipulating (wresting/twisting) it to make it appear to teach things it didn’t, 2nd Peter 3:14-18. He referred to such people as untaught, unstable, and unprincipled.
I believe that a good ‘modern day’ example of what Peter was talking about is what some are now doing with a passage in Ezekiel in an attempt to defend the practice of homosexual... read all »
A reprint from 2003
God came to visit His people on earth. He told them. “I have only one teaching for you to observe. In every locality, I want you to put up a simple wooden fence post for me. I want you to paint the post blue.” He then admonished them saying, “I am leaving, but some day I will return to take all of you who keep my teaching about the blue posts to be with me forever.”
The Good Lord left, and immediately, posts went up ... read all »
Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern recently made the headlines when she said that the ‘homosexual agenda’ in the United States is a greater threat to our nation than international terrorism. Anyone with a healthy grasp of Biblical history ought to be able to see that her statement is right on target.
What is the homosexual agenda all about? Grossly perverse sexual practices for one thing, but that’s something they do ‘among themselve... read all »
The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian church saying:
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 3:16
One of the central themes of all holy writ, is the resurrection of Jesus. This word, coming to light in the hearts of songwriters through the centuries, has been one of the most profound sources of inspiration f... read all »
In 2nd Chronicles chapter 34 we read of a great restoration of following the ways of God. This restoration and spiritual revival was fearlessly implemented by young king Josiah over 2600 years ago when he was only twenty years old.
What did Josiah do to restore Israel, and how can we follow his lead today?
Josiah removed the things that were leading Israel away from God, vs. 1-7
• And so should we rid our homes of sensual worldl... read all »