Spiritual Warfare

God gives Adam some instructions on the care of creation and his role in the unfolding story. It's pretty basic, and very generous (see Gen. 2:16-17). But notice what God doesn't tell Adam. There is no warning or instruction over what is about to occur: the Temptation of Eve. This is just staggering.  Notably missing from the dialogue between Adam and God is something like this: "Adam, one more thing. A week from Tuesday, about four in the afternoon, you…

Your wounds brought messages with them. Lots of messages. Somehow they all usually land in the same place. They had a similar theme. “You’re worthless.” “You’re not a woman.” “You’re too much ... and not enough.” “You’re a disappointment.” “You are repulsive.” On and on they go. Because they were delivered with such pain, they felt true. They pierced our hearts, and they seemed so true. So…

The spotted lanternfly is a pretty insect with speckled outer wings and a splotch of bright red on its inner wings that flashes when it flies. But its beauty is a bit deceptive. This insect, first seen in the US in 2014, is considered invasive to North America, which means it has the potential to harm the environment and economy. The lanternfly will “eat the innards of practically any woody plant,” which includes cherry and other fruit trees, and leaves a sticky…

The answer to this question depends on what the ends or goals are and what means are being used to achieve them. If the goals are good and noble, and the means we use to achieve them are also good and noble, then yes, the ends do justify the means. But that’s not what most people mean when they use the expression. Most use it as an excuse to achieve their goals through any means necessary, no matter how immoral, illegal, or unpleasant the means may be. What the…

“On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment (emphasis added) by his chamberlains:…

The battleground over racisms' ugly tentacles is continuing to dominate the political and social landscapes. With a backdrop of rioting and looting by anarchists and agitators that are simply opportunists, there lies the reality of a world at war. Spiritual war. A battle for the heart of man that Satan has whipped into a desperate frenzy in these last days. The voices are many and the messages predictable. It truly is a heart issue. Racism has been in existence since…

Do you ever look at your circumstances and see no possible way the Lord could bring something good from them? What benefit could come from illness, unemployment, a broken family, or other difficulties? While we can’t always understand what God is doing, there is one thing we can do—trust Him to use our situation for His own glorious purposes. Although Paul’s imprisonment may have seemed like the end of his ministry opportunities, God actually used it to…

I was a youngster entering my second decade on the planet when this Beatles classic was first released. During a time of extreme unrest in the country, “All You Need is Love” was adopted as the unofficial anthem of the Flower Power Movement.  This widespread movement was rooted in opposition to the Vietnam War. “There's nothing you can do that can't be done, Nothing you can sing that can't be sung” The Beatles, July 1967. Later…

We were born into a world at war. Do you believe that? We’re not talking about the Civil War, World War II, Desert Storm, or any other conflict or battle we happen to be engaged in at this moment in time. We’re talking about a much more formidable opponent. An invisible one. Naked to the eye. An enemy that seeks to destroy everything good in us. That’ll stop at nothing to ruin us. Starting at the beginning of our lives if that’s what it takes. The…