Category: Growth (Page 2 of 15)

I know some apostates, and a few remain friends. Apostates once committed to and followed the Lord, but now renounce their faith for one reason or another.

Hebrews 6:1-4 serves up a challenging and debated section of the New Testament. Might God drop one of those he holds in his hand? Can a person lose their salvation?

I’m not sure this passage tells us that, but rather serves as a warning to the apostate. The person who once tasted the Lord’s intimacy and goodness, yet now rejects God and campaigns against him, stands condemned.

Really though, the apostate doesn’t care. He’s outgrown God. The apostate ridicules and mocks the faithful. He knows more than the rest of us. Social media erupts with apostates, like the 4th of July. Apostasy is quite popular today.

To be blessed by God, yet bear thorns and thistles, is to burn in the end. I hope to avoid such a fate, to remain faithful to the certainty of God’s promise.

Week eight of reading the Bible cover to cover

Jacob affirmed his favorite child with an extravagant coat, and poured gasoline on the fires of jealousy in the other sons.

Rebekah colluded with one son, Jacob, to fool Issac and steal the father’s blessing from her other son, Esau.

Abraham jump-started a family by taking a slave girl as a surrogate, then later sent mother and son out into the desert to live on their own or die trying.

Loads of parenting principles violated. Don’t buy anyone’s workbook on “Parenting Practices from Genesis.” All this craziness from men and woman God engaged and blessed. Were they the only ones available?

God moved despite their mistakes and missteps. As a terribly imperfect parent myself, I take heart. Lift your heads, my fellow imperfect parents, and my fellow imperfect children. God uses imperfect people.

We’re the only ones available.

Week three of reading the Bible cover to cover.