This week we are studying 1 Peter 3:13-17. As you turn there, remember that the backdrop of this letter is that the Christians were being persecuted for their faith. You might remember three months ago when we started this series, I talked about the situation that these Christians found themselves in. They were being persecuted. Continue reading “Are Christians in America being oppressed?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A story about what happens after people die
What happens after a person dies? My uncle recently sent me this story, author unknown, that tries to answer that question. On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by theContinue reading “A story about what happens after people die”
How to be a peacemaker (shocking lessons from an “insane” person!)
All week long, we’ve been looking at 1 Peter 3:8-12 where Peter teaches a very difficult thing to do: when people insult you, ask God to bless them. Is Peter saying you can never defend yourself? I would submit that Peter would answer, “No. You can defend yourself. But there is a right way andContinue reading “How to be a peacemaker (shocking lessons from an “insane” person!)”
How to handle difficult people: When they insult you, eulogize ’em!
I learned a shocking thing about eulogies, and in this post I’m going to reveal what I learned. This week we are studying 1 Peter 3:8-12, and so far we have learned the Top 5 adjectives that Peter says should describe a church family. Now he gets to some verbs, some actions that members ofContinue reading “How to handle difficult people: When they insult you, eulogize ’em!”
The Top 5 adjectives that should describe a church family (do you know them?)
Get out a pen and paper, or open up a note-taking app. What are the first five adjectives that come to mind if you were trying to answer the question: “What are the five top adjectives that should describe a church family?” This week we are studying 1 Peter 3:8-12 where Peter teaches how aContinue reading “The Top 5 adjectives that should describe a church family (do you know them?)”
How a church family can disagree but still be harmonious
Is your church family harmonious? How much should a church family agree with one another? Is it okay if there is disagreement in a church family? Yesterday we began looking at 1 Peter 3:8-12, and I said that Peter is talking to all Christians about how they should interact with one another in their churchContinue reading “How a church family can disagree but still be harmonious”
Why I am not a fan of eulogies (but why they are surprising important for church families)
I am not a fan of eulogies. I’ve told you before that one of the aspects of being a pastor that I was definitely not prepared for was death. It affects me. Some pastors tell me they love funerals, and can’t stand weddings. I’m the exact opposite. I love weddings. Funerals, though? No. I’m justContinue reading “Why I am not a fan of eulogies (but why they are surprising important for church families)”
The Christian teaching about marriage that was radical (and will certainly enhance your marriage)
Remember your wedding day? (Or maybe you are looking forward to it?) It is an amazing day, filled with crazy, happy, anxiety and joy as you publicly vow to love your spouse for life. The road before you seems clear and straight and free from any surprises or trouble. But before you know it, fiveContinue reading “The Christian teaching about marriage that was radical (and will certainly enhance your marriage)”
Why trajectory is vital to understanding the marital submission passage in 1 Peter 3:1-7
Rocket launches have been all the rage recently, with private companies getting in the new space race. I have always been fascinated with space shuttles and astronauts, and thus love watching the blast-offs! A nighttime launch with is fire trail is especially amazing. See the trajectory? All week long we have been studying a controversialContinue reading “Why trajectory is vital to understanding the marital submission passage in 1 Peter 3:1-7”
How to be beautiful (and handsome)
How do we know if someone is beautiful or handsome? Societies and cultures around the world and through the ages have had different ideas about what is beautiful or handsome. And a society’s standard of beauty can change as time goes by. You can pretty much tell what our current American culture believes about beautyContinue reading “How to be beautiful (and handsome)”
Engaging Scripture 