Let’s continue on with our study of Jesus’ words about forgiveness. Last time we concentrated on Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins. This time we will look at what Jesus says about us forgiving others who sin against us. Let’s jump right into the red letters. Mark 11:22-25 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell [...]
Archive for the ‘Red Letters’ Category
Jesus and Forgiveness … Part 2.
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, tagged Forgiveness, Forgiving others on June 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The Slippery Slope
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, Witnessing/Apologetics, Worldview on January 14, 2010 | 1 Comment »
It s amazing to me the number of Christians who cling to the concept of the “Slippery Slope”. This mentality is similar to NRA not willing to even allow assault weapons or bullets known as “Cop Killers” to be banned for sale to the general public. They are afraid that once one weapon is banned it [...]
To the Couch Potato Christian — Part 3
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on December 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
…Get off the couch and back to work. In part three I will concentrate on the Gospel of Luke. Jesus’ words are rather direct in that he expects us to act like Christians. Jesus gave us abundant instructions on how to live our lives. He did his part and he expects us to do [...]
To the Couch Potato Christian — Part 2
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
…Get off the couch and back to work. This is the second part of a four part series concentrating on Jesus’ words and what he tells us being his followers (disciples) really means while we live on this earth. This post includes the rest of the quotes from the Gospel of Mark. As [...]
To the Couch Potato Christian… (Part 1 of 4)
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on December 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
…Get off the couch and back to work. This being the Christmas season where more emphasis is placed on Jesus and His birth I thought I would spend the next several posts returning to the roots of this blog by concentrating solely on the words of Christ with particular emphasis on how he tells us [...]
The Words of Jesus
Posted in Book review, Red Letters, tagged Phyllis Tickle on November 12, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I found an interesting book a while back by Phyllis Tickle entitled “The Words of Jesus”. Phyllis Tickle is the founding editor at Publishers Weekly and is author of more than two dozen book about Christianity. In this book she attempts to take the red letters found in the Gospel accounts and separate them from [...]
Charity….
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, tagged brother's keeper, Charity, Giving, hypocrites, Pride on October 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Charity has always been an important Christian characteristic. Jesus was constantly giving of himself to others. Often times when he did it he said not to tell others about his act. His giving is the reason that we have salvation. Jesus clearly expects us to also have charity, especially to the poor and needy. Here [...]
Justification?…
Posted in Christianity, Personal Testimony, Red Letters, Theology, tagged Justification on September 17, 2009 | 2 Comments »
This post will be the last and the most difficult post for me in this series on personal reflections in my walk with Christ. Justification is an issue that I personally have troubles with. What is the theological definition of justification: a forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial [...]
Judging—
Posted in Christianity, Personal Testimony, Red Letters on September 14, 2009 | 3 Comments »
This is a continuation of my personal reflections on how I am doing at “being” a disciple of Jesus Christ. During his three year ministry on the earth Jesus judged no one except the religious establishment. Judging is a major idol in that Its purpose is usually to make us superior to others and that [...]
What is the meaning of life? – Part 3 The Real source.
Posted in Christianity, Personal Testimony, Red Letters, tagged meaning of life on September 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
God put this unrelenting urge to find the meaning of life into us for a reason. He wants us to constantly seek him of our own free will of course. He loves us so much that he had his son become a human to die for us. His love is an all encompassing love (agape) [...]
The forgotten words of the Great Commission
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, tagged Great Commission, Judgment on August 20, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Of course all Christians know the Great Commission. As most remember it we are to go out into the world baptize them and tell them about Jesus and how he died for our sins. But what many seem to conveniently forget is the words just beyond that where Jesus says to tell them to do [...]
To Serve or to Be Served?? … That is the Question
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, tagged American Dream, capitalism, kingdom of God, service on August 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Jesus intends for us to serve others rather than for us to expect others to serve us. I think that many people in the United States have that message reversed. They dream of having enough money to have people constantly waiting on them and to fill their every need. After all, that is the American [...]
Taking America back for God — Part 2
Posted in Christianity, Politics, Red Letters, Theology, Worldview, tagged Gregory Boyd, Nationalism, Politics, Principles, Yoder on July 31, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Last time I pointed out a couple of reasons why I believe that the phrase Taking America back for God to be erroneous statement. This time I will expand my thoughts on this topic and talk about allegiances. Does God recognize governments and give some more blessings than others? — Except for Israel of course [...]
The Jesus Factor
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, Worldview, tagged Christianity, Giving, Jesus Factor, Poor on July 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
On Sunday I listened to a sermon from my pastor that truly moved me. It is about a subject that is very near to my heart. For that reason I am posting a copy here without comments. Please take the time to read it. You will be enriched by its message. It is kind of [...]
Jesus and Love….
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on July 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Ok, let’s go over some of the other places where Jesus mentions love. Most of them are, like much else in the Bible, shows us how to live in this world and get ready for the next. Matt 19:18-19 “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor [...]
Love, Obey, Command….
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on July 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
If you love me you will obey what I command. John 14:15-16 This is one of the hard sayings of Jesus that is difficult to ignore. It couldn’t be more blunt. Even looking at the surrounding context you can’t mask this message. If you love me… The following verses adds that if you do this [...]
Love in the Red Letters
Posted in Red Letters, Worldview on July 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Let’s spend some time studying the meaning of Love in the Gospel text. Here is the first one: ”You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in [...]
Jesus and the sword
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, Theology on June 25, 2009 | 6 Comments »
I had an interesting Sunday Bible study recently where we covered Romans 13. Of course since this is probably the most debated text in the New Testament it was a lively discussion. I have to hand it to my pastor, he allow a free flow of diverse discussions. I will only cover one topic from [...]
The Kingdom of God Study 2
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on May 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
What is the Kingdom of God? Let’s look at a few places where Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God and what it might be: Luke 4:43-44 “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Mark 4:30-32 “What shall [...]
God & Money
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on March 30, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Matt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Wow, it sounds like we have to choose between God and money! How can we do without money [...]
The Lord’s Prayer in my own words
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on February 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Today I am going to close out the study of the Lord’s prayer with an almost overwhelming task. That is to try and put the prayer into my own words. This endeavor is for my own sake. For those of you who think this is approaching sacrilegious please forgive me. If any of you want [...]
Jubilee
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, Worldview on December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
With tomorrow being the beginning of yet another year I thought it would be appropriate to talk a little about the concept of Jubilee. Here is some info about Jubilee from Wikipedia. a Jubilee year is mentioned to occur every fifty years, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and [...]
Hometown Boys never get respect.
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on December 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Here are the red letters for today. Matt 13:53-58 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? [...]
Do What I Say
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters, Worldview on December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Matt 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the [...]
Are we Christians accountable on Judgment day??
Posted in Christianity, Red Letters on December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Here are the red letters for today’s study: Matt 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” These word from Jesus were spoken [...]
