Analyzing ourselves to death

Everyone seems to have an opinion about what has happened, and is still happening, in Ferguson. There seems to be an element of truth in every analysis, even though the conclusions conflict. There's really not much those of us at a distance can do about Ferguson; and I'm afraid that much that is being counselled … Continue reading Analyzing ourselves to death

The worthy poor, and other heresies

Charity, with all its shades of meaning, is one of the chief virtues of Christianity. We know that one way to exercise charity is to help those who are unable to buy the necessities of life. But we don’t want to be too profligate with our largesse, so we decide to limit our giving to … Continue reading The worthy poor, and other heresies

Walking in the light

There is a line that is crossed when we come to the Lord.  That line is the border between darkness and light, unbelief and faith, death and life.  Glimmers of light and faith from the realm of life have helped us find the way to this line, but the new birth takes us across the … Continue reading Walking in the light

What do we have inside?

Ravi Zacharias, in one of his books, quotes an African proverb which says: "A man shows what he has inside by what spills out when he is bumped."  Much as we might wish to avoid it, we are going to be bumped, by circumstances that we did not foresee and by people who do not … Continue reading What do we have inside?

Spiritual gangrene

I had known Roddy for years; he had given true direction and support in the early years of my Christian life.  Over the years, when problems arose in the church, he seemed to have clear discernment to clear the fog of confusion and bring peace in the storm. Now I was beginning to notice things … Continue reading Spiritual gangrene

Thou shalt love

God tells us nine times in the Holy Bible to love our neighbour as ourself, two times to love a stranger as ourself, five times to love God, and husbands are twice commanded to love their wives. Pop culture tells us that love is a feeling that sometimes comes and sometimes goes.  Is love really … Continue reading Thou shalt love