Five Hundred Words

My friend posted to his Facebook wall an example of odd things agnostics say:

“Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.” ― Marcus Aurelius

I say that this is odd because it has a number of flawed suppositions that I would think would be self-evident. Continue Reading

This year, the pending holiday season found me feeling out of sorts. Black Friday turned into Black Thanksgiving Day, a sure sign we are losing our balance. Then came a raft of bad news, sad news, and outright horrific news that made this December feel bleak and ugly.

The economy is performing worse than was reported in the runup to the election. The president seems determined to run us over the fiscal cliff. Then reports came in from Newtown that broke our hearts. Continue Reading

I am a Christian, but I really do not care what consenting adults do. I do not think homosexual relationships are all that healthy, but I’m not all that impressed with heterosexual relationships.

Honestly, if a gay couple can experience the love and companionship I have been blessed with in my marriage, I say all power to them. If people want to form extended relationships like those Heinlein imagined in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, I really do not care. If asked I might advise against it but I have my hands full doing a good job with my own relationship.

Continue Reading

Being a Christian is a melancholy existence.

Without going too deep into the theological details, I know that any hardship our family might endure from whatever depredations are over the horizon are borne with Christ right alongside us.  I know that whatever the pain I might suffer is bearable, because the Almighty has promised it would never be more than I can bear.

It is impossible to explain the feeling of peace one can get meditating on God’s love and provision at any time, but especially in the midst of … Continue Reading

While attending a rally in opposition to President Obama’s health care proposals, some of the counter-demonstrators held signs making an appeal from the perspective of faith.  As I recall one old fellow held up a sign stating that Jesus would support the sick.  Of the arguments for “Obamacare” perhaps this is the most compelling. 

The president himself states that we are “partners with God” over these grave issues.  I would not say that I am God’s partner, but I am certainly His servant, and I am both humbled and delighted to serve.  Being a follower of Christ, among the general commands … Continue Reading

Luke 2:8-9 – …there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

In the old testament, Isaiah has a similar reaction in the presence of the Lord.

Isaiah 6:5 – And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes … Continue Reading