Have you had a person in your life who screws you over, hurts you, chooses to barely ever talk to you, and yet when they need money, they are so bold to come ask for your help? They haven’t had anything like a good relationship with you for a long time, and suddenly they appearContinue reading “God’s surprising response to idolatry in the heart – Ezekiel 14, Part 2”
Tag Archives: christians
Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1
What do you long for? What do you desire? A relationship? Debts paid off? A big enough savings account so you’re not living paycheck to paycheck? A new car? New house? A different personality? Different looks? Good health? Healing? Success? Athletic ability? Artistic ability? A raise? What do you long for? We all have desire. Continue reading “Do you have idolatry in your heart and not know it? – Ezekiel 14, Part 1”
Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview
Years ago, I remember listening to a new song thinking, “I don’t think I should be listening to this. It doesn’t seem appropriate…but I’m not sure.” Why was I concerned? Because the song touched on themes that seemed to be getting really close to a line I knew I shouldn’t cross. I felt uncomfortable. AtContinue reading “Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview”
Examples of folk theology and how to avoid it – Ezekiel 13, Part 5
The snow was falling heavy, covering the road. A young man in my church was driving in the middle of the storm, lost control of his car, and it spun into a snowbank along the roadside. The car stopped with a thud. Breathing heavy, heart pounding, his hands tightly gripped the steering wheel. He lookedContinue reading “Examples of folk theology and how to avoid it – Ezekiel 13, Part 5”
Can Christians have false beliefs about God? – Ezekiel 13, Part 4
Is it possible in some way you might have a false belief about God? Maybe even in a very small way? I would like to suggest that not only is it possible for anyone, but that we would be wise to consider how it might be possible for us. As we saw in the previousContinue reading “Can Christians have false beliefs about God? – Ezekiel 13, Part 4”
Do you say, “Things are fine,” when they are not fine? – Ezekiel 13, Part 3
My wife and I have a running joke in our marriage. When it comes to a concern about our kids, I will often say, “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine.” When it comes to a concern about money, though, I can feel like things are never fine. Michelle will worry about the kids, however, and whenContinue reading “Do you say, “Things are fine,” when they are not fine? – Ezekiel 13, Part 3″
Who is the authority in a world where we don’t know who to trust? – Ezekiel 13, Part 2
Do you watch the news or read articles online and wonder, “Who is right? Who can I trust?” If you’re like me, you’ve probably had conversations about Covid and treatment options, and your conversation partners were adamant about their views. But as you listened to them promoting one view or the other, you thought toContinue reading “Who is the authority in a world where we don’t know who to trust? – Ezekiel 13, Part 2”
The danger of folk theology – Ezekiel 13, Part 1
In a Peanuts comic strip, Linus is standing next to his bed, wearing his pajamas, hands with palms together like they would be for some about to say their bedtime prayers. But instead of kneeling at his bed and praying, Linus is standing there, looking curiously at his hands. As his sister Lucy walks intoContinue reading “The danger of folk theology – Ezekiel 13, Part 1”
When Christians have false ideas about God – Ezekiel 13, Preview
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and thought to yourself, “Woah…they have some strange ideas!”??? Do you confront them? Do you ask for more details? Do you just let it go? Maybe it’s not worth the trouble. Or maybe, we need to be more like children. Children? Yes. Think about the classicContinue reading “When Christians have false ideas about God – Ezekiel 13, Preview”
When it seems like God isn’t keeping his promises – Ezekiel 12, Part 4
In the previous post, we talked about how frustrating it can feel waiting on God. Maybe you know the feeling. You want to be faithful to God, but you are waiting and waiting, and it doesn’t seem like God is keeping his promises. God has been telling the people in Ezekiel’s day that destruction isContinue reading “When it seems like God isn’t keeping his promises – Ezekiel 12, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 