Ever wondered how to KNOW if you or someone around you loves God? It is actually, very simple.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and [a]observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. I Jn 5:2-3
Pretty simple.
The word ‘observe’ is more properly translated (as the superscript testifies) ‘DO.’ Further, Continue reading “How to KNOW you love God…”
I woke at about 1:30 a.m. thinking, ‘the answer isn’t more law….’ And, a flood of thoughts ensued. Knowing I would never get back to sleep if I didn’t make some quick notes, I got up and scratched the thoughts on a piece of paper before crawling back into bed.
‘The answer isn’t “more law.”‘
Man’s solution has long been ‘more law.’ We have only to look at our own households. I know in mine we are constantly adding to and fine tuning the ‘laws’ of the house. A son might do a dumb-dumb that skirts the edge of some existing statute and upon correction he says, ‘Well. Nobody told me that was wrong!’ leaving mom and/or dad to scratch our heads and say, ‘couldn’t you figure that out knowing such and such was wrong and this is awfully close?’ So, we solve it by adding a new rule. ‘Don’t do ……’
You know the drill.
Our nation, indeed any nation, follows the same basic course, but on a grander scale! Consider the founding documents and pretty simple legal code in the US Constitution, yet 200 years on the precedents, legislative actions and legal codes in this nation, including state and municipal, would fill the Grand Canyon!! We collectively do the same as we do in our homes: More law! Continue reading “The Answer Isn’t ‘More Law’…”
Some things are so obvious one wonders how they ever missed them!!
I was reading and pondering some Psalms the other day when I came to Psalm 51, a popular Psalm of confession and contrition. As I read it, I suddenly saw some parts from a perspective different than the traditions I was steeped in. (Shedding these traditions is like trying to UNmarinate a piece of meat!! Certainly, a lengthy process and, at times, seemingly impossible!! With Yahweh, all things are possible!!)
My focus was on the latter half of the Psalm and a number of spoken/unspoken traditions we hear in Christendom.
Create [j]in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew [k]a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will [l]be converted to You.14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, [m]open my lips, Continue reading “Psalm 51. Noticing the obvious. (A few thoughts.)”
11:3 Restoration 