The answer to this difficult and terrifying question is complicated. The answer is more than a simple yes or no. Why? Because forgiveness of sin and redemption isn’t based on a single bad act or an integrity of good acts. Forgiveness is based upon the death and resurrection of Jesus. Romans 6:23 “For the wages… read more
Timothy Kellor made an interesting point in his book, Counterfeit Gods. He said, “The Bible is unique in its uncompromising rejection of all attempts to identify part of creation as either the villain or the savior.” All worldviews trend toward villanizing some aspect of life that is the root cause of the worlds problems. Fix… read more
Life is rarely like a lake Still, Stable, Defined. Life is more a River Flowing, Changing, Seasonal. Sometimes it flows inside the banks, Sometimes it floods the valley. It plunges over falls, And carves away obstacles. Ever moving, Ever changing, Like water, Life ever flows. It must breathe, Or it stagnates. And when it flows… read more
It has been nearly 6-months now that I have been on oxygen. I’m slowly able to be off during the day. But I still have to keep a close eye on it as it will dip into the 80s regularly. Thankfully it has been remaining around 91 to 93 after all these months. Where I… read more
The Red Letter Psalms, is a rich experience of God speaking directly to you, the reader, for the entirety of the Psalms. While contemplating the Psalms, the idea came to me like a whisper in my ear, “Flip the Psalm”. It was an intriguing concept, born, perhaps, of a longing to hear God’s voice. So,… read more
Sarai was Abram’s wife. She had been promised a son from God, but yet, at 75 years old, she was still barren. And so they went about to help God fulfill His promises by making an heir through her Egyptian servant, Hagar. After all, they had already waiting 75 years for a child! We are… read more
While working as a bereavement counselor, I stumbled upon the source of everyone’s issues, and, ironically, the meaning of life. It all came down to a question. Whether poor, rich, black, brown or white, educated, uneducated, whether older or younger, even mental health issues… we all ask the same question. You see, as we mature,… read more
I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. But I would have cheated nations out of the man God would use to deliver them from famine. I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in.… read more
I’m an independent and I’d be interested to see a democrat who can see good principles in the Republican Party? And a Republican that can see good in the Democratic Party? Can we separate the principles from the leaders and movements of the parties themselves? Can we separate reality from the bias of news media?… read more
By Tim Hansel At first, I saw God as my observer,my judge,keeping track of the things I did wrong,so as to know whether I merited heavenor hell when I die.He was out there sort of like a president.I recognized His picture when I saw it,but I really didn’t know Him. But later onwhen I met… read more
By Francis Thompson (1859–1907) I FLED Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Up vistaed hopes I sped; And shot,… read more
Fear like snow falls softly Covering verdant spring Stark and chilled Pharaohs drums Chanting upon the horizon In silence The Spirit speaks softly “Look up” Cascading From above the clouds A piercing music Eagles flying free Above our constitutions Above our consternation In silence The eternal Son reaches out to me “Come”… read more
The idea of existence itself is so convoluted in both western and eastern existential philosophies. It has become a corpulent mass of flesh, a spaghetti monster. Finding truth has become like unraveling a knitting factory after a tornado has gone through the building. Yet I see themes everywhere in the metaphysical world. If we truly… read more
Talking to Grief by Denise Levertov Ah, Grief, I should not treat you like a homeless dog who comes to the back door for a crust, for a meatless bone. I should trust you. . I should coax you into the house and give you your own corner, a worn mat to lie on, your… read more
Codependency is when we do not have a self. Enmeshed in the other, we find our existence in the approval of others. To truly be, without control, without the desperation, is to know who we are, and who we are not. It is to be at peace with our limitations; to have gratitude for our… read more
Pastor Shayne 