Carnal versus Spiritual II “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8.6 The reason people go immediately to the conclusion that this verse is referring to having “sinful” thoughts, or the like, is that in Christianity we are so conditioned to think we are in a performance based religion. Maybe it is our old Boy Scout training that causes us to keep thinking about earning merit badges and we get confused and apply that way of thinking to Christianity. Our...
Carnal versus Spiritual “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8.6 This is a great verse that is used and misused quite often. The verse is true, but must be understood in truth. This topic is all about how one sees herself. Do you think you’re a “sinner saved by grace?” That phrase is not used in the bible, although used quite often in church pulpits and other “Christian” places. Or are you a “person saved by grace?” Or, are you now a saint? Now the...
Little Children – not – Child-like IV Jesus told those in attendance, in Matthew 18, that they needed to enter the Kingdom as little children. We always want to generalize everything in the Bible as speaking to everyone at all times and that is not necessarily the way we should be interpreting scripture. And, that’s just the entry point. Nowhere are we instructed to then remain “child-like” from that point forward. In fact we are directed otherwise, as Jesus said, “…be ye therefore wise as serpents …” [Matt...
Little Children – not – Child-like III “Little Children” enter the Kingdom because of Him. We see in the New Testament little children drawn to Jesus. That is true, not because He scared the “hell out of them “- as we do in the pulpit. He didn’t ask the little children if they considered where they might spend their eternity. He didn’t tell them to get on their knees, confess their sins, ask to be forgiven and ask Him to come into their heart. He wasn’t teaching or spouting doctrine, rules or laws of any kind...
Cost of Conversion About a week ago, Saul Chutzpah and Abe Bagelowitz, elderly members of the Shalom Spinning Dreidle Ultra Conservative Synagogue in my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut just finished their pastrami sandwiches at Mordecai and Louie’s Jewish and Italian Deli in my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. They noticed an unusual sign in front of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Inner Springs and Mattress. [In Stamford] The big sign said, "Convert to Catholicism and get $100" Saul, stops and stares...
A Response to “Little Children” I’m interrupting the series for this response from a dear friend: “So true. Hadn't thought of this subject that way that is, considering Jesus audience to whom He was speaking. Little children think in simple concrete terms. My grandson took his first trip in an airplane at age 3. While looking out the window at the cloudy sky he remarked to his mom with his little lisp, ‘I bet Jethuth getth lonely up here all by himthelf.’ He was identifying with Jesus as a person.”
Little Children –or- Child-like II “Entering the kingdom” as “little children” is not the same thing as being “child-like”. Let’s examine the context of Jesus’ statement. He is talking to adults, not children. He is talking to Jews who are, at least minimally and perhaps overwhelmingly indoctrinated in Judaism. These adults know the laws, rules and doctrines of their religion. Basically, Jesus is telling them to “drop” their religion and preconceived notions of Who He is and what He is all about. Jesus...
Little Children -or- Child-Like “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [Matt. 18.3] I had a friend say something to me once about his “child-like” faith. My friend thought it important that faith be unwavering and, even, perhaps without understanding – as he perceived a child might have faith. I accepted that as her understanding, but somehow it didn’t make sense to me. [Yes I’m speaking in a gender neutral manner...
A Response to Gift of Depression A dear friend sums it up quite well: “Yes, our weakness is the birthplace of compassion. Any compassion we endure, suffer, or enjoy is His.”
The Gift of Depression VII Let’s put all the pieces together. We’ve all got “problems”. Paul had his “problem” that he could not get rid of. But, eventually he embraced his “weakness” and stated with certainty “… I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” [2 Cor. 12.8-9] I choose to center this discussion on depression because it is widespread and it attacks the heart. But God intends us good. Therefore, regardless of apparent weakness we are His agents in this world...
The Gift of Depression VI So, as we see ourselves as God’s agent and asset in the world we can begin to embrace everything we experience and all that we are as intended with no mistake. We can rely on the truth that God only intends us good regardless of appearance. But what about our “apparent” liabilities and problems, like depression? Whatever it is, for you and me, and however it is caused it must be a gift. And we can embrace it as a gift. This can be a tough one. Especially something like depression...
Operation of Faith About two weeks ago, as luck would have it, Rupert Beauregard, son of Brother Randolph Beauregard, pastor of the Holy Uplifted Hands Southern Baptist Church, in my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut and Baruch Silver, son of Rabbi Irving Silver, of the Mount Sinai in the Land of Goshen Ultra Reformed Synagogue in my hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, were lying side by side on operating tables at the Ten Commandments Jewish War Veterans Hospital in Stamford [of course]. So, Rupert asks, "What...
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