Treasure In Clay Jars

A few years ago in England there was an object lesson on the perversion with which some people have come to view Christianity and Christ in the enlightened world of the 21st Century. The case surrounded the issue of global airline British Airways (BA) who had recently suspended one of their check-in workers Nadia Eweida, from wearing her cross around her neck because it is too visible to the traveling public and is therefore offensive to others. All this while at the same time, British Airways as a matter of policy allows other “religious” adornment such as turbans and veils to be worn by employees because in doing so they demonstrate the “tolerance” that should be the hallmark of a sophisticated society. In the words of BA CEO Willie Walsh “…I am proud to lead an airline that has a track record on diversity and inclusion which is second to none.” There is that diversity word again. In the interest of diversity, various religious symbols and creeds ought to be encouraged in our multi-c...

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters. (Luke 11:23 NIV) With this very brief but eloquent statement, our Lord Jesus Christ plainly lays before all mankind the essence of every person’s destiny. According to Jesus, either you are with Him or you are against Him. No gray area. Your life demonstrates your choice. This does beg a question therefore: how do know if your life is with Christ or against him? If you give Jesus Christ any kind of credibility in your thought process, then it stands to reason that this question must be answered in your mind and heart. You can’t sit on the sidelines. Christ does not permit it. I love this simplistic black or white theology. You don’t need a Phd to figure it out. Every one with a functioning mind automatically participates. Few (if any) have an out! I can guarantee you that most who may happen to read this post feel in their heart that they are certainly “not against Christ”. Sure there are a few ...

There is this incredibly annoying commercial that appears frequently on TV advertising a reality show by illusionist Criss Angel. It shows this young man predictably dressed in gothic black performing all kind of "apparent miracles" while an incredulous public looks on in amazement and wonderment. One of the scenes shows the dark Mr. Angel (pun intended) walking on water. As I watched the commercial recently, the below passage of scripture came to my mind which I think fittingly captures the lure and presumed success of Mr. Angel's presentations: Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God; For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back wi...

I just read a very revealing report done by The Barna Group on the shifting moral attitudes when comparing self-professed Christians over the age of 40 versus those below the age of 40. The general conclusion of a survey of these two groups showed a significantly looser attitude towards Biblical Christianity and how it should be manifested in everyday living among the younger crowd. There is a certain predictability to such results, given that young people especially those who are single and without children are usually far more liberally minded due to less appreciation for the negative consequences of their behaviors on themselves and others. There is however some pause that must be given to this study as the Barna report rightfully points out, because the society in which our 21st century young people are living in has become far more perverse and insidious in championing the devil’s agenda. As a result, the embracing of or minimal resistant against the popular culture by today’s C...

The intensely sad and extremely disappointing specter of another Christian leader failing in the public spotlight is on display currently with the recent revelation that the Rev. Ted Haggard (President of the National Association of Evangelicals) has admitted to buying drugs and receiving inappropriate touching from a gay acquaintance. This admission by Mr. Haggard came amid charges by the acquaintance that Mr. Haggard has been involved in a three-year sexual relationship with the man - charges that Mr. Haggard denies. Whenever Christian leaders fall victim to such sin the damage to fellow Christians (especially those over whom they lead) is devastating. Though these leaders are fallible human beings like all men, the Bible clearly calls them to a higher standard of conduct befitting the symbolic position of headship afforded by their position: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, ...