In this series of posts we are studying what, at first glance, might be a strange chapter of the Bible, Deuteronomy 14. While it starts out with a fairly familiar concept, that we are sons and daughters of God, the phrase that comes next in verse 1 is really bizarre and might be surprising: “doContinue reading “Cutting, Shaving, and other detestable things (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 3)”
Monthly Archives: October 2018
Live as adult children! (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 2)
How do you feel about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day? At Faith Church when Mothers and Fathers Days roll around in May and June, we take a cautious approach because we’ve heard from a number of people that these holidays are complicated. Maybe you know the feeling. It could be that your earthly mother orContinue reading “Live as adult children! (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 2)”
Eating fish heads (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 1)
What do you consider disgusting food? Brussels sprouts? Tomatoes? Hot dogs? Fast food? Fish? We all have our likes and our dislikes. For me, some of the most disgusting food I’ve had was on mission trips. In India it was some kind cow intestine or worse. In Malaysia I had Tom Yum soup which isContinue reading “Eating fish heads (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 1)”
What can satisfy the soul? part 4 (the drastic action needed)
We started this series of posts looking at satisfying videos, thankful for them, but noting that they cannot satisfy the soul. We talk about our phones yesterday and how they promise so much, but they, too, don’t satisfy the deepest longings of our souls. What can satisfy the soul? We found one answer: only GodContinue reading “What can satisfy the soul? part 4 (the drastic action needed)”
What can satisfy the soul? part 3 (can your phone?)
Our smartphones promise so much. Can they satisfy the soul? Take note today how often you use yours, and lift up your eyes and observe how often other people are on their phones. The first iPhone came out in June 2007, and in 12 years smartphones have swept the globe, with about one-third of everyContinue reading “What can satisfy the soul? part 3 (can your phone?)”
What can satisfy the soul? part 2
You are what you worship. Agree? Disagree? If I had said, “You are what you eat,” that would be a bit easier to agree with. Food goes in, metabolizes, fuels and shapes the body. You actually are what you eat. But what about worship? Does worship have the same affect on us as food? AllContinue reading “What can satisfy the soul? part 2”
What can satisfy the soul, part 1
Do any of you watch satisfying videos? They’re a thing. Every now and then, someone in my house enjoys watching them. Just go on YouTube, and you’ll see what I mean. There is a whole genre of satisfying videos. Here’s an example of one that caused a delay in writing this post…because I couldn’t stopContinue reading “What can satisfy the soul, part 1”
How to grow your love for God, part 5 (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)
It is apple season, and my family actually has an apple tree in our yard. The few apples that grew on the tree this year just fell down a few days ago. They didn’t fall far from the tree. Is that just an old adage? What do apple trees matter to loving God? Yesterday, inContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 5 (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)”
How to grow your love for God, part 4 (why following his commands is not burdensome)
Does following God sometimes feel burdensome to you? Can it seem like there are so many rules, and your heart and mind are not inclined to follow those rules? If you’ve ever thought or felt something close to that, you’re not alone. Many people have wondered why following God’s ways can be so difficult. MostContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 4 (why following his commands is not burdensome)”
How to grow your love for God, part 3 (dealing with our fears)
What do you fear? Even if you are the kind of person who is not afraid of hardly anything, do you have concerns? What bothers you? Maybe your personality really struggles with fears. I’ve talked in a previous post about my own struggles with anxiety. I’ve come to realize I have triggers: health and financialContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 3 (dealing with our fears)”
Engaging Scripture 