Religion of Peace?
Catalyst readers: The Denton Record Chronicle recently published a “puff piece” on Islam (read it here ). If you attend New Life, you have heard me teach on the dangers of this religion. (I’m watching the news right now about another terrorist strike in France) There were so many false statements in this article, I […]
America’s “Self-Terrorism”
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not […]
On the Potter’s Wheel
At New Life Church, we’re studying the book of Jeremiah together this summer. The central question of the book is whether or not a society can live with complete disregard for moral and spiritual truth and not suffer the consequences of wickedness? It was a question worth asking back in 600 B.C., and a question […]
God and the Fairness Doctrine
“Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy?“ (Jeremiah 12:1, NLT) Did your daddy tell you growing up that life isn’t fair? Mine did. He always said it as kind of […]
Terror Prayer
Terrorism, as a term, dates back to 18th Century France…but they didn’t invent it. It has been around since biblical times. The word terrorisme means “to frighten.” Sun-tzu, the master Chinese warrior from 2100 BC wrote in his book The Art of War, “Kill one, frighten 10,000.” The Assyrians and Babylonians, during Jeremiah’s day, were […]
God-Shaped Holes
““My people have committed a compound sin: they’ve walked out on me, the fountain of fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns— cisterns that leak, cisterns that are no better than sieves. “ (Jeremiah 2:13, The Message) Blaise Pascal famously said that we humans were created with a God-shaped hole in our souls. This longing/desire […]
Missing God?
“To what can I compare this generation?” That was the rhetorical question Jesus asked his followers. The answer: “They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’” (Matthew 11:16-17, NIV) I […]
You are a Gift from God
““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV) I love this verse for many reasons, not the least of which is that it reminds us that a fetus is a human (by the […]
When God Hides
“Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel.“ (Isaiah 45:15, NIV) Do you ever feel like your prayers don’t make it past the ceiling? Ever feel like God is nowhere to be found? If you’ve walked with God very long at all, I know you’ve felt this way – […]
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out….” (Isaiah 42:3, NIV) What does the Lord mean by these strange, prophetic descriptions of Jesus? In the ancient world, a reed might be used to make a pen to write striking poetry, witty prose, or create beautiful art. Or […]
The Horns of a Dilemma
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.“ (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) Thinking about presidential politics, a phrase came to mind: the horns of a dilemma. Dilemma is a Greek word that means “two premises.” The […]
The Image of God in the Bathroom at Target
This week, while pondering our nation’s bathroom crisis, I decided I’m more surprised at America’s surprise than I am about the movement itself. It has only been one year since gay “marriages” became the law of the land. And the LGBT community told us then that they were just getting started. Bathroomgate should not surprise […]
