THOUGHTS OF TYRANNY never induce happy thoughts. Such totalitarianism leaves little room for fulfillment of individual dreams and desires. We hope for sunshine and bunny rabbits and ice cream cones. We never expect gray skies and hopelessness, but all bets are off when emotions rule; when feelings become the main impetus for action. It is …
Act Like Men: Part 2
I SPENT MANY YEARS in rebellion, running contrary to God's will for my life. My idea of acting like a man was taking life by the horns, wrestling it to the ground, and getting whatever I needed or desired. During the worst years of my active addiction, I listened only to the warped and selfish …
“Story About a Woman Named Rahab.”
AFTER THE DEATH OF Moses, the LORD said to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them" (see Joshua 1:1-2). This indicates a passing of the mantle from Moses to Joshua. You might recall that Joshua …
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
IT IS DIFFICULT TO image being clothed in the righteousness of God. Exactly how does that happen? How can we possibly be worthy enough and pure enough? Lauren Daigle opens her song You Say with these lyrics: "I keep fighting the voices in my mind that say I'm not enough" (1). This was my dilemma. …
Act Like Men: Part 1
BAD NEWS. MEN ARE IN TROUBLE. James MacDonald says the five main areas where men spend their money—electronics, sports, cars, gambling, and alcohol—are clues to a self-centered perspective on life (1). Jason Allen writes, "Not that long ago, the phrase man of God was a common and honored descriptor in the church, but today it …
The Power of Powerlessness
ONE OF THE MOST confusing statements I have heard is "surrender to win." Consider wartime principles: The Battle of Appomattox is one of the most momentous events in American history—Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, which effectively ended the Civil War. World War II ended on September 2, 1945 …
“I Don’t Go to Church. Too Many Hypocrites!”
MY FATHER DECIDED TO quit going to church "cold turkey" just about a year after I had accepted Christ as my Savior and received water baptism.* I was fourteen and was considering becoming a pastor. My father's choice was based on his opinion that church leaders wanted more of his time and money, and the …
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Jonah: A Reluctant Servant
Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology THE THEME OF THE Book of Jonah is simple: The LORD is a God of boundless compassion, not just for "us" but for "them"—the wicked, the disobedient, the Jew, and the Gentile. Some scholars consider Jonah's story to be an allegory, using fictional characters to symbolize theological principles. Specifically, …
The End of Me
Steven Barto, B.S., Psy., M.A. Theology KYLE IDLEMAN'S BOOK The End of Me introduces us to the concept, "Where real life in the upside-down ways of Jesus begins." In other words, the ways of Christ are often completely opposite of what we think might work. We think coming to the end of me means we …
Learn to be Fervent
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psy., M.A. Theology On Fire for Jesus! THE BIBLE TELLS US what is meant by fervent. "Fervor" is necessary for advancing God's kingdom, and is put forth by spirit-filled Christians who boldly share the gospel with others. Fervent is sometimes referred to today as "passionate." Being fervent is a critical …