Christmas Eve

 When the Future is What Makes the Present

 While we have been concentrating on the Second Coming during Advent it is time we look at what it will produce in the present. It is why we continue to celebrate Christmas year after year. Because we are looking forward to Jesus returning it…

Advent 8 Are You Fluent?

 Recently we went to a symphony concert where prior to the performance there was a wine tasting session with about 25 people. It was a presentation of five wines chosen to complement the five different concert selections. Three whites and two reds of varying flavors were chosen. The concert director gave a brief explanation of each composer’s intention after which was an explanation by the…

Advent 7a Tuning Up the Mind

 “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God…(2Cor.10 The Message).”

 The principles that set our thought, the logic we use, the basis for thinking--- outside of God they are philosophies.…

Advent 7 The Great Shift

 As we have been quick to repeat, the Gospel of John is getting us to think spiritually. Everything that is physical points to a spiritual parallel. When we get that point that’s when we start growing. If you check all the lives of converted people in the New Testament, it’s what they were converted from spiritually that set the movement for bringing…

Advent 6 The Great Return 

The most important thing about preparation is knowing what you are preparing for. Advent is a period of preparation for...? That's right, Jesus' return. Of course, we are all getting ourselves ready for Christmas celebration at worship, family get-togethers, memories, the fireplace, the tree, carols and all the festivities that surround the expectation…

Advent 5a God Came Through a Different Door

 “The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for…

Advent 5 Another Doorway

 Part of my self-survival training in New York City during my high school years was getting a job. I don't remember any of the other guys on the block doing that, but I knew it was important for me. I had several. One was walking polo ponies at a local indoor arena off Park Ave. (That's a story in itself). Another was working on a horse drawn vegetable…

Advent 4 War Along the Trail

 We are still talking about the trail between hearts being the longest trail. It is a spiritual trail filled with obstacles to faith in God. Along that trail guerrilla warfare is the devil’s order of the day. It’s not open warfare but one fought defensively on the perimeter of the heart. The devil sends his spirits of fear, lust, greed, envy, jealousy and anger, to name a few, so that…