Posts from June 2023

Posts from June 2023

The Echo of Jesus

April 19, 1775 marks the genesis of a term we have come to know as “The shot heard round the world.” With the pull of a trigger, the hammer struck a primer igniting a single black powder charged rifle to propel a bullet downrange into enemy territory. While the mechanics of the gunshot are simplistic, the consequences were monumental. The battles of Lexington and Concord were underway, and from that point forward many would fight to the point of death…

Developing a More Effective Prayer Life

Prayer is an awesome thing! I love the fact that we have a God who loves us and wants to listen to us. Whether things are going good or bad, we often want to talk to those who are closest to us. We talk to friends, spouses, family, or even pay to see a therapist. Sometimes we simply want to “get things off our chest.” Other times we may be seeking advice or just want others to know about what’s…

Basic Facts from… Jude (Part 2)

The need for Jude to “switch topics” and admonish Christians to stand up for the faith (instead of celebrating the joy of salvation, vs. 3) was rooted in the fact that “certain people” (vs. 4) were trying to change and corrupt the body of Christ. These were people who shamelessly masqueraded as faithful Christians in order to promote wanton behavior (“lasciviousness,” KJV) in place of the morality God’s grace would produce. (It seems they were using “grace” as an excuse…

Basic Facts from… Jude (Part 1)

Not much is known for certain about the inspired writer of this brief letter: “Jude” identifies himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ” (a word that can also be translated as “slave”), and also as the “brother of James” (vs. 1). At least six men in the new testament were called Jude or Judas. Many scholars believe James was both the writer of the epistle of James, and a half-brother of Jesus, thus making Jude also a half-brother of the…