When I notice something that bothers me in Church, or with other believers, it’s good to ask a question first: Is this a salvation issue or is it just a preference issue?
Christians are commanded not to judge others, but in a sense we do need to be able to judge for ourselves the non-negotiable territories. According to scripture, that line in the sand is where grace becomes legalism, and we start to do things because we think it will add anything to what Jesus has already done.
Read MoreI have worked remotely for more than ten years. Previously, people were always surprised and excited to hear this. They ask if I work from bed, and if I nap on the job, but the most common question is: “So you don’t even have to wear pants, right?” And now I have a platform to finally set the record straight: Nope, I don’t have to wear pants. Just to be clear, I DO, but it’s not technically a job requirement while I’m at home... 😂
Read MoreMany of you have likely heard reality stars and celebrities speaking out about “living my truth.” This can be heard with changes in their gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, sharing their side of a story, and the like. When this terminology is used - living their truth - it is celebrated.
Read MoreOne of my personal favorite things in theology is the study of apologetics. At Tirzah, we previously did an article that explains all things apologetics, which you can check out here. A brief definition for you in this moment is writings or words to justify one’s beliefs. The reason I just explained that to you is because Dr. James Kennedy’s documentary and book “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?” is an apologetics book.
Read MoreSeminary has stretched me in many ways and urged me to grow in empathy and experience. One class I am taking this semester is Christian History 50 CE - 1500 CE. Stick with me here. My class has learned about ancient theological arguments that have shaped the faith we practice today and divided the then-forming Christian tradition. Our professor arranged a visit to an Eastern Orthodox church to learn about their traditions, which are different than ours in the western church.
Read MoreEveryone seems to think that money is corruptive and poisonous to the soul – it can be if you turn it into an idol, but it can actually be propelled for good. Over the past few years, I’ve seen God work His way in my life by teaching me some important lessons about money. The biggest lesson being that I needed to trust in Him, including with my finances.
As we move into 2023, examine your life. What is distracting you? I am in no way saying to quit your job or dismiss your family because you feel they are distracting you from God. The point I am trying to make is this: Is your mindset on Christ? Are we living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27)? Are you living as an example of Christ for others?
Read MoreSo we have hung up our new calendar for the year and have decided to start a few good habits (or at least one) in 2023. We have spent December 31st thanking God for the blessings of 2022 and our hearts are full of praise and thanks to God. As the new year dawns, we are glad but with it we draw a curtain on the unknown. The blank fresh dates on the calendar will soon get filled up. But for now, it is empty and blank.
Read MoreBetrothed. This wasn’t a modern-day engagement. In ancient Jewish culture, there were two ceremonies involved in marriage.
Read MoreYoung and innocent Mary lived in Nazareth a town in Galilee. She was so excited, she blushed as her friends teased her as the bride to be. Mary was engaged to Joseph; she had seen Joseph a few times in family gatherings. He looked like a kind; compassionate man and she looked forward to starting a family with this godly man. As Mary’s friends left and her parents went about making the wedding arrangements, Mary caught herself all alone.
Bated breath. A moment suspended in time. Bated means to lessen or diminish. It also means to moderate or restrain. There were two pivotal times where the weary world waited with bated breath - unbeknownst to them of the greatest miracle in time.
Read MoreSometimes, the Christian story seems fantastic. By the word "fantastic," I mean it seems fanciful, imaginative, too good to be true. God the Father, who just is, creates a perfect world for the Son whom He loves (Colossians 1:16), with no need or obligation to do so but by necessity a desire.
Read MoreIn her timely and vastly important book, Jen Oshman walks us through five specific ideals which our culture in particular shoves at women. She peels back the layers of lies, desires, and promises with a biblical lens. Cultural Counterfeits: 5 Empty Promises Of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More begins with the premise of the prodigal son parable and how we are prone to follow the call of sin and the world.
Read MoreThere’s this song by Taylor Swift called “Everything Has Changed” that I have always loved. The lyrics are:
“All I know this morning when I woke
Is I know something now
Know something now I didn’t before...”
As children, we learned about the history of Thanksgiving. We made turkeys out of our painted hands and Indian and Pilgrim hats out of construction paper. We learned that Thanksgiving was a time when people from two diverse backgrounds shared a meal together. Yet, there is more to Thanksgiving than just this.
Read MoreI feel like my future was served to me on a silver platter, but I didn’t want it and sent it back to the kitchen. When we jump ahead of God’s will for our lives, we might get bruised.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it becomes a time we can reflect and thank back on the year we have lived. Maybe this has been the worst year of your life. Maybe this has been the best. Either way, reflecting back, you always, always have something to be thankful to God for.
Read MoreAs a mother, have you wondered about how to train your child? Or maybe you feel your own parents have not trained you well? Recently a young mother asked me, “Aunty, where do I start? Is there a list somewhere?” So this article is for Neha and others like her.
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