A popular Roman Catholic priest here in Melbourne set up a mobile, drive-through confessional so as sinful drivers could “repent on-the-run.” A numbered sin-selection list commonly known as, “The Seven Deadly Sins” was taped to the priest’s “Hopemobile”: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, pride. Just as one does when ordering food from a fast-food outlet, a driver then pulled in, looked at the selection list and said, “G’Day Father, two 4’s and a 7 today.” It was the Continue reading “Always Closer to The Lie than to The Truth”
The Violation of Universal Principles
I was conducting a training course recently, and in giving the group a little background about myself I informed them that for the past 25-plus years I had stood for the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. In addition, I mentioned that although my experiences in life had been quite varied, I discovered that my life did not even begin to work for me until I took that stand because, I had violated too many of life’s universal principles. Then I went on to share some background on the organization they were about to do training with, saying that it too was once falling as Continue reading “The Violation of Universal Principles”
Taking Pot Shots at The Church
During his sermon a few years ago, the pastor said, “There are those who seem to delight in taking pot shots at the church.” Not only was he making reference to criticisms from the unbelieving world, but also to practicing Christians. He was new to this particular fellowship so he then spent a little time sharing with us his beliefs on what the church stood for. When he had finished it appeared to me that this pastor’s beliefs were more those of his teachers at Bible College than his own. Whilst what he shared was true about the church, like Continue reading “Taking Pot Shots at The Church”
What’s Missing from Christianity?
Just before he was about to preach his message, a Christian man shared how he had been rushing to get to the service. In relation to the near 200 kilometer drive, he said, “I set the cruise control on my car at 120 kph, ran a couple of lights, but I made it in time.” In the group, it was not difficult to observe smiles and nods of approval for such commitment. On the way home from a Bible study, a pastor ran a red light. He was pulled over by the police and given an on-the-spot fine. Continuing on with the journey he justified Continue reading “What’s Missing from Christianity?”
He Needs to Know we Know he Knows
I saw an ad on a TV Channel recently, promoting a forth-coming film/documentary and in his script I heard the voice-over man speak of, “the mythical history of human origin as presented in Genesis.” It took me back to my days on the streets as a gospel messenger. Not too many of those days would go by without someone wanting to discuss “the myths of Genesis.” They were interesting people most of them … very intelligent, well spoken, well educated and seemingly well clued-up when defending their humanist/evolutionary belief systems. I sometimes mentioned this fact to mature Continue reading “He Needs to Know we Know he Knows”
Muddled & Confused
I typed the search term “end times” into Google the other day and it came back with a result of 5,250,000 over 79 pages. Whatever else those figures tell us, it shows that millions of people all over the world have some interest in this subject. Next, I typed in the search term “end times prophecy” and it resulted in 142,000 over 71 pages. Why the huge drop from millions down to less than two hundred thousand when the word “prophecy” is added? I don’t really know the answer to that, but it certainly makes me live with the question. Could it be that when it comes to the study of end times prophecies, people Continue reading “Muddled & Confused”
The Constant One-sided Story
For a few years now, I have found it rather disturbing to hear and read comments made by some Christian people immediately following tragic events happening around the world. Drought, famine, fire, floods, tornadoes, cyclones, earthquakes, political and economic upheaval, war … whether it is factual or not, all of them do seem to be happening at an exponential level now. And given that Jesus has told us that such events give witness to signs of the times and the end of this age, it is only right that as Christians we should Continue reading “The Constant One-sided Story”
But Once it’s All Over it’s All Over
A retired Christian man came out with me on the streets of my local suburb as we went door-to-door sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had been a Christian for many years, his wife and family being the same. One of his children was also in ministry elsewhere. One day I knocked on a door of a home and a lady answered it. I introduced us both, giving our purpose for calling. Immediately she recognized my colleague and said, “Hello John (not his real name), I never knew you were a Christian.” John was rather embarrassed. It turned out that they had Continue reading “But Once it’s All Over it’s All Over”
The False & Unnatural
I’ve been giving some increased thought lately to some comments made by one of the great Bible teachers, the late Derek Prince. About twenty-two years ago I was studying the Scriptures from one of his video teachings and although I don’t recall his exact words, the thought has never left me. He said something like, “Some people change their whole manner of behavior and way of speaking the moment they step inside a church. It shouldn’t be necessary for Christians to do that.” As far as my Christian Continue reading “The False & Unnatural”
Looking Good
Many years ago I was chatting with a neighbor across the street who had recently had the front of his home sand-blasted so as to remove years-old paint from the bricks. The age of the home was around one hundred years and with the finishing touches he was putting to it, I mentioned to him that all was looking great. He nodded in agreement and then said, “Yes, it’s important, because this is how others assess you.” Further conversation showed him endeavoring to assess himself rather highly too … especially with regards his corporate management job and lovely motorcar. It appeared the man was consumed Continue reading “Looking Good”