Thoughts from Your Pastor
We often hear of the tragedy of collateral damage in war where non-combatants are killed in bombings of strategic targets. As much as the American military attempts to eliminate collateral damage it is almost impossible to do in some military action. This is especially true when our enemies use women, children, hospitals, and schools as …
Continue reading "Collateral Damage"
It should be obvious to us all if we would but reflect upon it for a moment, that we can do nothing but that it is tainted by sin. The Puritans used to say, “I cannot pray but that I sin. I cannot preach but that I sin. My repentance needs repenting of.” Because sin …
The title of this blog forebodes a heavy theological discussion. So, let me start with birthday cards. The people of Berean are well versed in the birthday card tradition here. Some 26 years ago, I was talking with one of our members whose acquaintance with me went back to our college days; Gary Papp. When …
Most people think we are beyond the days of “idol worship”. We look back to biblical times and clearly see that both Israel and the nations around them were inveterate idolaters. Their idols took many forms, had various names, and presented themselves differently in different cultures. But, because man has a “worship” gene (so to …
They say every dog has his day and turnabout is fair play. This is the idea that it is legitimate when those who have been “under” other’s authority or influence turn the tables and now gain the ascendency in a situation, circumstance, or society. A story comes out of Civil War concerning a slave on …
Have you ever gotten the impression from someone that “they could do no wrong”? Sometimes, this is a self-evaluation. Some people actually think they are always right and can do no wrong, not in the absolute sense but in the virtual sense. Their view is always the right view. They see things most clearly. Their …
I was born the third son of a teenager. My mother, Bernice, was married to my father at age 16, had my brother Gary at 17, my brother Rick at 18, and me at 19. Boom, boom, boom… she had three little rambunctious boys before she reached the age of 20. How she lived through …
Everyone has goals. Everyone has plans. From the time we are mature enough to start “looking forward” (whether that is a small child looking forward to Christmas or an elderly persons contemplating what “the rest of life” might look like) we make plans. We chart the future. This is good and right and wise. But …
Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end- it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” As Americans, we are not good a waiting. We grow impatient waiting more than a few minutes in any queue. …
There are several OT verses that prohibit the removal of ancient landmarks. Proverbs 22:28 says, “Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set” (c.f. Deut 19:14; 27:17; Prov 23:10; Hos 5:10). These verses are in reference to how the Promised Land was parceled out to the twelve tribes and subsequently to families …
