Father Bound

Assuming the best takes effort. Lots of effort! It seems almost second nature to assume, in the absence of readily available evidence to the contrary, that the other shoe is about to drop at any moment. At least this is how it goes for me. I’m not saying I assume the worst. But I suspect mischief is always lurking about ready to pounce, cratering my happiness. Crushing my peace. Daring me to hold tightly to my intention to, as a default mindset, assume the best. Can you relate? 

Does the Atonement find its foundation in the introduction of sin into the world and the resulting consequences as found in Genesis 3? Or does its foundation precede the Fall and find its roots in goodness, the origin underlying creation as found in Genesis 1? ~m

What we believe about hell has everything to do with what we believe about God. Does the widely taught perspective square with God's character and his aspiration for the universe he created? ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

In 1918, J. Paterson Smyth wrote at length about what he called the "disquiet" of some individuals concerning the matter of biblical inspiration.  ~m

Forgiveness can be a tricky word. At least our understanding of it. Intrinsic to the common understanding of the word is the idea of pardon, of being excused from an offense. Is this what Jesus came to do? To offer humanity a pardon from sin? An absolution? To excuse us from sin’s offense and protect us from his Father’s supposed wrath? Or did the forgiveness he came to bring include something deeper and more wonderful: the sending away of sin itself! ~m

There are a group of individual cases of healing which, as far as we can judge from the narratives, our Lord gave the gift of restoration unsolicited...  ~m

There are a group of individual cases of healing which, as far as we can judge from the narratives, our Lord gave the gift of restoration unsolicited...  ~m

There are a group of individual cases of healing which, as far as we can judge from the narratives, our Lord gave the gift of restoration unsolicited...  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

Answers to questions about Christianity were given by Lewis at a "One Man Brains Trust" held on April 18, 1944, at the Head Office of Electric and Musical Industries Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex.Shorthand notes were made and a typescript was sent to Lewis. He revised it a little, and it was printed in 1944. Mr. H. W. Bowen was the question master.  ~m

Answers to questions about Christianity were given by Lewis at a "One Man Brains Trust" held on April 18, 1944, at the Head Office of Electric and Musical Industries Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex.Shorthand notes were made and a typescript was sent to Lewis. He revised it a little, and it was printed in 1944. Mr. H. W. Bowen was the question master.  ~m

Answers to questions about Christianity were given by Lewis at a "One Man Brains Trust" held on April 18, 1944, at the Head Office of Electric and Musical Industries Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex.Shorthand notes were made and a typescript was sent to Lewis. He revised it a little, and it was printed in 1944. Mr. H. W. Bowen was the question master.  ~m

"Let us look at the passage as I think it ought to be translated, and after that, seek the meaning for the sake of which it was written." George MacDonald speaking of John 1:3-4.  ~m

MacDonald expounds upon that which makes the gospel truly good news: "...that God is light and in him is no darkness at all."  ~m

Those who come at the call of the Lord, and take the rest He offers them, learning of Him, and bearing the yoke of the Father, are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.   ~m

It's hard to underscore the need to get a handle on just what makes up "the good news" that Jesus came to deliver to mankind, the core of his message. The conclusion each of us reaches has practical impact.  ~m

I think it a good idea for those who identify themselves as “Christians” to put ourselves in the shoes of our critics and gain what insight there is to be had from their observations and perspectives. Although we may not agree with everything they have to say—perhaps not even with the bulk of it—nevertheless, there is often truth enough in some of their criticisms for us to reflect on when viewed in the illuminating light of our Lord’s own words.  In his book, The Call, Os Guinness presents just such an insightful look in a chapter entitled Followers Of the Way.  ~m

While sorrow doesn't fall into the category of an essential good, George MacDonald makes a compelling case for sorrow being a harbinger of future joy.  ~m

Jesus poses this penetrating question to a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years. It is not rhetorical. It is a question put to us all–together with a warning!  ~m

This writing, first published in June of 2011, flows from my deep-rooted conviction that every individual born is precious to God, his intention and desire being for their welfare, unwilling that any should perish and ultimately bringing home to his great heart of infinite love every one of his wayward children.  ~m

Preached in the West Croydon Congregational Church...  ~m

The passage found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 15:22-28, strikes many as one of the more harsh sounding pronouncements of our Lord. It almost seems as though he is relegating a Canaanite woman seeking his help to no more than the status of a dog! Nothing could be further from the truth...  ~m

I am a man in need of mercy. Of this fact I am ever more keenly aware… But to better appreciate the nature of mercy I have had to gain an understanding and recognition of mercy’s particular characteristics, its nature, to grasp how mercy differs from other virtues such as kindness and generosity.  ~m

Each of our lives is chock full of trials, some minor irritations and others hitting us like a personal earthquake! Our natural reaction is to wish for a carefree life absent of such discomforts. But what if trials were actually gifts allowed into our lives for our eternal good? Might we then welcome them as friends?  ~m

An excerpt from Bold Thinking Christianity by Michael Phillips.   ~m

George MacDonald explores the first of Jesus' miracles, the turning of water into wine.   ~m

Dr. Barclay is here quoted from Chapter Three (“I Believe”) of his autobiography entitled, William Barclay, A Spiritual Autobiography.   ~m

Lately, I heard someone give voice to an all-too-familiar phrase in the Christian lexicon.  One that sounds piously self-defacing and is, I’m sure, intended to exalt God. However, on closer examination I believe it ends up doing just the opposite, stealing from God a goodly part of the glory of his Fatherhood!  The unfortunate expression is this: We deserve hell.  ~m

With simple, searing logic Lewis defends the unchanging truths of Christianity against the supposed thinking of those who would seek to discredit it on the basis of the expanding knowledge of the universe.  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

First published in 1891, Henry Drummond's classic treatise on Love, based on 1 Corinthians 13, provides extraordinary insight into this greatest of virtues.  ~m

Christianity requires both sound thinking and doing.  ~m

God's rewards are always in kind.  ~m