Musings with PWC

Two of the most horrific things I can imagine.   These two things are dreadful, they are frightening and they are awful.  You cannot find more ghastly things than these two things I will now mention. # 1:  Paying the price for your own sin The entire justice of God is revealed and met in the mission of Christ Jesus. I was once asked if God would send a homosexual to hell.  At the time, I was surprised at the answer that came out of my mouth (read—the Spirit gave me the answer!). “God doesn’t send anyone to hell.  People choose hell because they choose to pay the price for their own sin.” What, you may ask is the price for your sin?  “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) “The soul that sins is the soul that dies” (Ezekiel 18:20) “If you eat the fruit of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17) BUT… Jesus’ mission was to lay his life down as a sacrifice for my sin, your sins, and the sins of the world.  What a tragedy to refuse that s...

  Psalms 139: (NLT) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. I’m not quite sure what was meant by the following statement I recently read:  'Additionally, in Judaism, we believe life starts at the first breath, not conception.’  Now, I’m not a Jewish scholar, but I know the Psalm passage was written by a Jew—so there is a problem there. I am aware that this is counter cultural—however this is the way I see pro-choice as taught in Scripture.  I am also aware that this will not be a popular blog! I want to delicately suggest that I believe  the Bible tea...

  I am familiar with this following situation.   Many might not know this, but in certain countries it is illegal for nationals to eat beef.   The available beef in this country is for tourists.   A pastor was recently accused of eating beef and was placed in prison for one year.   I told that story, as literally thousands of other stories could be told of what I would call persecution.  I am reminded of the passage in Hebrews 10:32-39 Hebrews 10: (NLT) 32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw aw...

Yes, there are bullies everywhere—even in church.  But what are we supposed to do with bullies? Usually most churches do nothing with their resident bullies and they tend to ruin the church in various ways.  I believe the scriptures will help us with three things.  And further—these three things are also a process that I have put in a certain order. Love covers a multitude of sins: 1 Peter 4:8 “ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  This is the first and the greatest step…love!  Love the bullying out of them!  Ask God to heal them. Use the process outlined in Matthew 18:15-18 (NIV) Dealing With Sin in the Church15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three wit...