I realize that church leaders must be real with their feelings because if the "human factor" did not come through our personalities, we would all seem very robotic. At the same time, many feel pressure to be excited and happy all the time because they want to keep everyone pumped up. They fear that if they do not demonstrate a positive image, they will appear weak and discouraging.
Christ, as the rose of Sharon, was willing to be crushed, and this holy fragrance of love reveals the nature of God's amazing grace. His blood was the ultimate sacrifice, as it redeemed and paid for the sins of all who would believe and accept him as their Savior.
Within the Christian life, there are many pillars of truth that are critical to our spiritual development. One of these is discernment.
Someone mentioned the other day about how after pouring out some heated frustrations on one of their Facebook sessions, they had a headache and was terribly depressed.
I really appreciate readers who send me emails and handwritten letters. They are truly an encouragement.
I was thinking the other day about how life has changed since I was a little boy.
I was asked recently if being born again is the same thing as believing in God.
I was working out in the yard the other day when a tiny sparrow landed on the ground just a few feet from me.
We used to sing a vineyard worship song whose chorus said, "Refining fire / our one heart's desire / is to be holy / set apart for you, Lord / I choose to be holy /Set apart for you, my Master / ready to do your will."
We are not even halfway into the year, and our nation has already suffered more stress and tribulation than I have ever seen.
