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Category: The Good News

FYI…From God

FYI…From God

One of the most ubiquitous abbreviations of the modern era is FYI (‘For your information’ or with sarcastic intent, ‘For your ignoring’).  Use of the latter meaning is especially prevalent among cheeky but timid subordinates who think the boss isn’t paying due heed.  Sometimes they’re right.  [And sometimes they’re just passive aggressive worriers, obsessing over nothing.] Self-appointed prophets of doom may be prone to histrionics and are often proved wrong when the deadlines on their dire predictions expire without incident.  Yet every once in…

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Memoir From Hell

Memoir From Hell

How did I end up in hell?  Can’t see what difference it makes, but I’ll tell you, if you really want to know… One day, I received a summons out of the blue, with a Notice To Appear on a certain date and time.  I was not expecting that.  The timing wasn’t convenient for me, so I set it aside, figuring I’d deal with it later.  It may have ended up in the garbage. I’m not sure.  When I didn’t show on the appointed day,…

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What Christ Can’t Do

What Christ Can’t Do

It seems likely that every Christian above a certain age will sooner or later be asked by self-avowed skeptics some version of the killer question—that masterpiece of logic and irrefutable reason which no religionist can possibly answer.  These ‘stump the band’ conundrums are intended to shut down discussion, end debate of all serious issues and mock those inexperienced enough to try to play the game.  Particular favorites for flustering the faithful include variations of the following: “Could God create a stone too…

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Requiem For Innocence

Requiem For Innocence

There was Adam and then there was Eve.  Created in the moral image of God.  Righteous. Pure.  Consciences clean and clear.  So totally innocent they did not even notice their physical and spiritual nakedness.  In this pristine state, they were possessed of the ultimate humility: utter unselfconsciousness. They could not be described as blameless, as no wrong had been done to which blame might attach.  To call them sinless would be inaccurate, as sin had not entered their minds.  Their character was uncorrupted, but it had never been put…

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Jesus Christ–Underreported, Underrated, Undervalued

Jesus Christ–Underreported, Underrated, Undervalued

Adore Him or ignore Him, Jesus Christ is one fascinating character.  His story doesn’t start with His incarnation and virgin birth, as momentous as they are.  In the scriptures we meet Him as the unique and eternal Son of God when there was as yet, no human race for Him to join.  We discover that He existed long before the cosmos came into being.  We find that He was not some interested spectator but was thoroughly involved and fully engaged in every way. As…

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New Birthday

New Birthday

[SPECIAL NOTE TO MY READERS: This is my 100th original column.  I thank God for this amazing milestone and pray that each one will find the audience He intends.  To Him be the glory!]   Imagine being an orphan chosen for adoption in a process you couldn’t hope to understand.  Now suppose that the transaction was conducted remotely, at long distance.  You are told that your prospective parent is a truly wonderful person, of sterling character and stainless reputation—not only virtuous but infinitely loving, unstintingly generous, completely…

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Of Passive Pilgrimage And Passion

Of Passive Pilgrimage And Passion

A dozen years ago, I made a pilgrimage of sorts, to Israel.  It was not a primarily religious odyssey.  Having studied and believed the Bible all of my life, there was nothing that I needed to prove, reinforce or see for myself.  I viewed such opportunities as incidental, though as it turned out, they were profoundly consequential, in terms of their impact on me. But I’m getting ahead of myself.  I should probably share that I very nearly had to cancel my travel as,…

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Too Good To Be True?

Too Good To Be True?

An aphorism is a saying expressing the collective wisdom gained from the common experience of lots of people over long periods of time.  These homespun insights are not always true or universally true.  But they enshrine general principles reliable enough to have predictive value.  And because they transcend differences in age, sex, class, social status, and language (among others), aphorisms play an important role in shaping and homogenizing culture.  They also serve as safeguards for the young, sheltered, or naïve, against the danger of…

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Chance Meetings By Appointment Only

Chance Meetings By Appointment Only

The airport lounge was crowded with travelers waiting to board flights that would carry some to familiar destinations—their accustomed venues for business or pleasure.  In addition to these commuters were those being ferried to exotic locales of picturesque beauty and idyllic climes, the nearest thing to paradise on earth, and the perfect spot for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation.  Rounding out the manifests were those on missions of particular purpose—a job interview, a family emergency, a military deployment, a special occasion. One of these…

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Are You An Opportunist?

Are You An Opportunist?

Your answer to the question of whether you are an opportunist likely depends on your life experience and the context in which the word is used.  As for the first part (personal experience), most everyone has heard the word bandied about.  Most of us have seen the term used to describe the nature or behavior of another person, as in “she is an opportunist” (noun).  A person who acts that way, is said to be opportunistic (adjective).  Chances are, you yourself have applied this word…

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