You've heard the remark, right? Or even said it yourself? Sorry about the hard time you're going through ... I'm sending you an angel!   It's a nice sentiment, but there's just one problem. Okay, several problems. Let's take a quick look at what the Bible has to say on the subject.   Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?"   "They" refers to angels, which that whole chapter talks about.   Angels are spirits created by God, whose job is to serve people -- specifically, Continue Reading

If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase, "I'm spiritual, but not religious," I'd be a wealthy woman. It's a popular -- and prideful -- sentiment these days.     Another favorite is, "I'm a Christian, but I don't have to prove it by going to church."   (Silly me...here I thought church was about celebrating my beautiful Savior and hearing the word of God proclaimed, in community with other believers, because that's what I love to do.)   I suppose people mean they can exercise the spiritual dimension of their lives without the help of a Continue Reading

Remember the "Emergent conversation?" You know, the plethora of books and articles a few years ago telling Christians how to stop being jerks? Perhaps you read those authors, too. Perhaps you realized that, yes, Christians have developed some bad habits.   Habits like telling people what to believe instead of listening to their story, or trying to force John 3:16 into every conversation.   Habits like being judgmental, formulaic and phony.   In other words, we figured out our approach to sharing our faith was often annoying.   Along came voices like Brian Continue Reading

How should we handle same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage? This is the issue of the day. Christians with well-known names have taken positions on both sides of the issue. Emotions abound.   This is not an easy topic for anyone. Many gays have expressed being treated with disdain, if not outright hostility, by the Church.   We have been abysmal in our treatment of our fellow man on this issue. I mean, carrying signs that vilify gays, claiming that God hates them? Really?   Excommunicating parents because they choose to continue a relationship with their gay Continue Reading