Author: Administrador

Topics: Character; Compromise; Convictions; Criticism; Integrity; Leadership; Persecution; Rewards References: Matthew 10:17–20; Acts 5:27–39 After Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves during the Civil War, he was condemned by the London Times as “a sort of moral American pope” destined to be “Lincoln the Last.” After Lincoln’s assassination, the paper realized his … Continue reading “LINCOLN’S
CRITICS RECANT”

Topics: Behavior; Deceit; Honesty; Integrity; Lying; Money; Responsibility; Taxes Reference: Romans 13:6–7 The percentage of Americans who approve of cheating on their income taxes: 19 percent. —IRS Oversight Board Fiscal Year 2005 Special Report (March 2004)

Topics: Church; Community; Integrity; Promises References: Exodus 20:16; James 3:1–12 Toward the end of his three volumes on the history of the French Revolution, Thomas Carlyle concluded that the revolution failed, not because of corruption in high places, but because ordinary people in their ordinary places neglected to keep their promises. If we do not … Continue reading “KEEPING
PROMISES”

Topics: Atonement; Divine Power; False Beliefs; Healing References: Matthew 24:4–5; 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 It is midnight in Israel, and three hundred worshipers gather in a floodlit enclosure as they thump tambourines and clap hands in the warm night. They sing ya’ase shalom, which means “he will make peace.” Though the words refer to God, the … Continue reading “INCOMPLETE
CLEANSING”

Topics: Supernatural Occurrences References: Matthew 14:26; Luke 24:37 Do you believe in ghosts? When asked, Americans said: No: 57 percent Yes: 40 percent Unsure: 3 percent —2000 Zogby America poll of 1,021 adults

Topics: Christianity; Darkness; Evil; Seekers; Self-examination; Youth References: 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 1:5 Alternative rocker Tori Amos’s mission is to expose the dark side of Christianity. “The problem with Christianity is they think everything is about outside forces, good and evil,” she says. “With Christianity there’s not a lot of inner work encouraged. Kids … Continue reading “DARK
MISSION”

Topics: Atheism; Faith; Mind; Reason; Thoughts; Unbelief References: Job 12:7–25; Isaiah 42:1–9; Romans 1:19–20 If there is no intelligence behind the universe, then nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. Thought is merely the by-product of some atoms within my skull. If so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? … Continue reading “NO
REASON FOR ATHEISM”

Topics: Atheism; Creation; Crisis; Evolution; Gratitude; Ideologies and Belief Systems; Judgment; Prayer; Thanksgiving; Unbelief Reference: Romans 1:18–22 An atheist was walking through the woods, admiring all the “accidents” that evolution had created. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!” he said. Suddenly he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to … Continue reading “THE
BEAR AND THE ATHEIST”

Topics: Atheism; Doubt; Hypocrisy; Skepticism Reference: 2 Peter 3:3–4 We hear so much criticism from skeptics about what they often brand as “secondhand faith.” It is implied that many people believe in God only because of the context of their birth or family or determined conditions. If the criticism is justified, and undoubtedly it sometimes … Continue reading “SECONDHAND
DOUBT”

Topics: Apology; Dishonesty; Honesty; Humility; Regret; Repentance; Truthfulness; Values; Words References: Acts 5:1–11; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 2 Corinthians 13:5–10 After being included in Oprah Winfrey’s famous book club, James Frey’s memoir, A Million Little Pieces, quickly sold more than 3.5 million copies. Controversy erupted, however, when members of the press began to question whether the … Continue reading “OPRAH
ON TRUTH”