If everything in the universe came about by non-rational forces, we should also be non-rational, but there is a fundamental quality in us which must be excluded by definition from our analysis of the origins of things. In my various intellectual travels, I came across the idea of “emergence”. Emergence is the propensity for complex […]
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 […]
Here is the audio from a message I gave on 1 John 1:5-10 on 01/20/2013. In some places the audio is not perfect but I think it is an important enough message that I still wanted to share it. [audio:dumpy/sermons/2013-01-20_11-23-26.m4a]
My wife Betty is a really great kisser. When I am actually kissing her it feels like a combination of home and gooey chocolate brownies and rainbows and joy all wrapped up together. She used to do this thing where she would pirouette in this little joy dance when we were walking, and she sometimes […]
Confession is more powerful than trying hard, because it includes the blood of Jesus in the process. It invites God into our mess. It invites a deeper honesty than trying allows. It acknowledges that I can’t do spiritual surgery on myself. 5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to […]
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, let no […]
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: “I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He […]
When (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” When they […]
O Father, I have offended angelic majesties 1000 times over I am ignorant and sinful lying, lustful, fearful, angry, lazy, selfish, greedy, and more I don’t trust in my own deeds. Forgive me, I confess it all. It is all true. I throw me down at the foot of your gracious throne, boldly, because I […]
I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of reward. There has been some discussion that grace precludes us from the dynamic of receiving rewards for doing well, and that is the genesis of this reflection. First let’s look at some scriptures which mention the idea of rewards: From the gospels: 12 “Rejoice, and be […]