What About The Bread and Wine?
A reader asked: Could you please explain Matt 26:26-27 when Jesus said this is my body and my blood. Was this a metaphor? Matthew 26:26-29 - And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My...
Should God Be Part of a Joke?
A reader asked: I feel that I have a good sense of humor. I reject vulgar, offensive humor and reject humor involving God. Here is a joke I received from the minister at the church I had been attending: Dear Lord, You have taken my favorite singer, Michael Jackson....
Grievous Foolishness
It grieves me to see this kind of foolishness masquerading as Christianity. This nonsense, this hogwash, this utter spiritual childishness is an encapsulation of everything wrong with the segment of Christianity identified as "health and wealth", "latter rain" or "end...
Why Not Let Evolution Design It?
Hong Kong scientists have DESIGNED a robotic hand that simulates touch and human movement. They DESIGNED it… catch that? They are just giddy that the “hand” can make a peace sign and “shake” hands. Even still, with a team of scientists spending years DESIGNING it,...
The Real End of Days
Revelation 20:9 - They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. (NKJV) In the movie 2012 which chronicles a Noah-worthy endtime cataclysm, the Woody...
Random Thoughts – April 5, 2010
Which Eternity? I was driving down the road the other day up in the city, and in the distance saw a big building sign that said "Eternity Club". I thought, "hmmmm, I wonder if that is one of those new-fangled church names or something." As I got closer, I realized...
The Basic Christian Life: Strife and Turmoil – Part 10
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 4:1 - Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (NKJV) STRIFE: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension; an act of...
Random Thoughts – March 10,2010
I love doing "random thoughts". No pressure to get it right, or stay on topic. Just whatever floats around in my unpredictable head. Words Have Meaning And Politicians Know It Words have meanings and politicians who want to control your life know that. The switch from...
Response to Amanda’s great comments…
Amanda, Thanks for your comments about my Avatar post. I love it when people leave heartfelt comments that ask real questions and address sincere concerns... and they do it respectfully. There is plenty of room for Christians to disagree. We are to be steadfast and...
Avatar
A lot of folks have asked my opinion of the movie Avatar from a Biblical perspective. Since my answer is primarily commentary and not teaching, I put it over on my blog. But... I thought you would be interested in reading it, so here's the link:...
Avatar: A Titanic Deception
I've been asked countless times about the movie Avatar. An article I read about it today prompted me to finally respond publicly. Avatar is a visual treasure. A technological milestone. Stunning... mesmerizing... a wonder. The hype is all true. It's an amazing piece...
Random Thoughts – Feb 18, 2010
Woe Is Me As I'm out and about traveling or at public places I love to listen to what people are talking about. Not the specifics or the "juicy details" but just the overall tone and tenor of the average conversation. What I've noticed over the years, in America, is...
Random Thoughts – Feb 16, 2010
Steps Not Leaps When you want to go somewhere, accomplish something or get from point A to point B, what do you do? You walk. Take the first step. Then you take another step, and another and another. And when you feel like quitting because the road is long, what is...
The Basic Christian Life: Two Types of Wisdom – Part 9
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) Check out this passage: Jas 3:13-18: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works...
This Fad, That Fad
A question from a reader: I was listening to Christian teacher who was criticizing the Purpose Driven Life. Do you have an opinion on the book? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Every time I get asked about one of the books or programs that have swept the church,...
Why Do Young People Have to Die?
Here is an inquiry that I received from a college-aged young lady: There's this question I have been struggling with for a while now. I understand why people grow old and die naturally but why do young people have to die? I know a 21 year old girl who was driving home...
The Basic Christian Life: That Little Thing That Controls Your Entire Life- Part 8
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) There are few things that have more influence or cause us more regret than our MOUTH... that little thing between your...
Parenting in 2010
I recently observed a woman spend half an hour forcing her daughter to take a "time out" for misbehaving. The daughter would not cooperate. She got up, tore up things, kicked over her chair, tried to resume playing, threw fits and tried to hit the Mom (not violent...
Random Thoughts – Jan 8, 2009
A "Personal" Message for 12,345 People I get a TON of email. I have signed up for lots of newletters, blogs and programs. I have a large readership. My email address is public knowledge and fair game. More and more I get emails with “Personal message from…” and it’s...
Random Thoughts
God bless Colt McCoy! I was thrilled at Colt McCoy's comments after the national championship game. Asked about how bad he felt for missing the game due to injury he said "God is in control. I don't question what happens. I accept it as His will." (paraphrase) Would...
The Basic Christian Life: Dead Faith – Part 7
We are blessed to know many people who daily give evidence of their genuine faith through good works. (Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) I want to teach you...
The Basic Christian Life: Evil Favoritism – Part 6
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) It's been over two months since I wrote a part of this series. Hope you didn't give up on me... let's continue. A basic...
Wisdom
I just wrote a message about WISDOM... what it is, how to get it and how to know where it came from. Wisdom helps us know God's will, make good decisions, advise others... if Solomon is any example, it is one of the most pleasing things we can desire. If your life is...
About Wisdom
One of the things I hear most often from readers is that they are unsure what they should do and don’t know how to find out. Even if they think they know, they have no assurance it is the right thing, or at least something God would approve of. It’s often asked in the...
The Shack
I posted a review of "The Shack" about a year ago, but the requests for my evaluation of this book still continue regularly. I got absolutely TRAMPLED with criticism, name-calling and condemnation when I posted this review the first time... FROM CHRISTIANS. The only...
My Husband Beats Me – Does God Say “Tough Luck”?
Question (I've removed all details and changed some things to protect the identity of the person who submitted this): I understand what you are saying about there being two biblical reasons for a divorce but let me share something with you. My husband and I have been...
Question: When Did God Create Angels?
Question: Brent, when did God create the angels where is it in the Bible? - - - - - - - - - The Bible doesn’t say specifically. We can safely say it was before OUR physical universe was created because Job tells us: Job 38:4-7 (emphasis mine): Where were you when I...
Question: I’m Lonely & Struggling. What Can I Do?
Question: I am really struggling (perhaps involving depression). [Reader describes personal circumstances here; removed for privacy sake] I am not involved with any group (church or whatever) as I don't have any desire to get out like that. I am a strong/devoted...
Hate Forum, Criticizers and the Lies About Us
A few of you have let us know about a couple of blogs and forums that are trashing us. As usual, I'm getting called a bigot and racist, someone who "obviously doesn't read his Bible", just a man pretending to be a conservative so I can be popular. I'm a blowhard full...
Short SeriousFaith Posts While on Abby’s Make A Wish Trip
While we are gone on Abby’s Make A Wish trip, I still want to post on the blog but I’ll do short posts instead of long ones. I would love to answer some questions for you since they are usually great for short quick posts. What questions do you have about faith, the...
Question: Are We Healed by Jesus Stripes?
A reader asks: In Isaiah we read that 'by His stripes we are healed' - what does this statement mean? Does it refer to the physical healing or the spiritual healing? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This verse is routinely used today to support the idea of...
Question: How Involved Should We Be In Political, Civic and Social Efforts?
Question from a reader: I don't know where to draw the line between fighting the fight for our Constitution, getting involved in politics, being a dutiful patriot and being a spirit-led Christian seeking His Kingdom and His Righteousness first. Often, I find myself...
The Basic Christian Life: Ears and Hands – Part 5
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) A basic part of the Christian life involves ears and hands. Ears hear, hands do. Hear nothing, or the wrong thing, then...
Adult Kids – Ultimatums & Consequences… Time to Grow Up
[Note: wow, it's been almost two weeks since I've posted on any of my blogs. That is the longest stretch I've gone without writing in probably 6-8 years. Not sure why. Not sure if it was even noticed. Wasn't planned. Just needed a break I guess. Have been really tired...
What About Drinking?
I've answered several variations of this question in the past so I've taken excerpts from several answers to give a kind of overall response: What We Do Know For Sure First let's declare what we do know. It is always wrong and sinful to get drunk, period. Galatians...
Question: I Can’t Find a Husband… Should I Just Give Up?
A reader asks: I've been an occasional reader of your Serious Faith blog for a while and I feel like I always have questions, but I've been hesitant to ask because I'm not sure I'll like the answer. I'm at the end of my rope on this one, however, and I'd appreciate...
Question: What Does It Mean to Be Unequally Yoked to the World?
Question: What does it mean to be "unequally yoked"? We generally hear this in the context of marriage but what does it really mean, and how does it apply to life in general? Answer: The primary verse in question is 2 Corinthians 6:14 and even though we hear this most...
The Basic Christian Life: The Question of Divorce – Part 4
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) Malachi 2:16 - “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce..." I did not originally plan to have divorce as part of this series on basic Christian living. However, questions about divorce are among...
The Basic Christian Life: How to Love God When Life Stinks – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Despite all the "rah-rah" positive...
I Know What Your Problem Is And Here Are Three Ways to Fix It
I know exactly what your problem is. I don't even know your name, and I have never met you, but it doesn't matter. I still know what your problem is. In this post, I'm going to tell you what the problem is, what causes it and how to fix it. Okay, I will admit this...
The Basic Christian Life: God’s View of Wealth And Status – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:9-11 - Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it...
The Basic Christian Life: Introduction – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 1:1 - James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. (NKJV) I am often asked why Christianity seems so complex and hard to understand....
Feelings Follow Choice – The Secret to Stability and Real Change in Your Life
If there was a favorite thing I like to teach on other than the Bible, it would be the idea "feelings follow choice". We live in a culture where feelings reign supreme with entire industries and markets based on solely on appealing to feelings. I don't just mean...
A Hurting Man Seeks Comfort in Yet Another Relationship
Hebrews 13:1 - Let brotherly love continue. (NKJV) Full of heartache, a friend wrote me and asked for my advice. It was a long letter, and my intent here is not to make his situation public, but simply to use the very common points of his distress to present some...
The Treasure of Self Discipline: What Is It and How Do You Get It?
Personal discipline: everybody wants it, most people think they have it (privately at least) and yet it remains a scarce and elusive prize for the vast majority. Self discipline is the foundation of everything worthwhile in our personal development. Physical health...
A Reader Asks: I attend a church that believes that going to the doctor is a lack of faith, and that if we are sick …
Question: I attend a church that believes that going to the doctor is a lack of faith, and that if we are sick or injured we should ask God to heal us. Recently a young woman from our church died of a unknown illness. I am having a hard time with this. Do you think it...
A Reader Asks: If you were leading a small child to the Lord (4-6 years old), what would you say? How much does the …
Question:If you were leading a small child to the Lord (4-6 years old), what would you say? How much does the child need to understand at this age?Answer:I’m not sure I would be “leading them to the Lord” in the sense it is commonly used today. I would be leading them...
Having a Joy-Filled Life In Troubled Times: Summary – Part 8
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV) I wanted to wrap up our series with an encouraging summary of the truths we have learned. I hope these will bless you and help...
Having a Joy-Filled Life In Troubled Times: The Joy Killer – Worry – Part 7
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...) Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV) Most Christians worry occasionally, if only briefly. Some Christians worry constantly despite abundantly clear Scripture that...
Having a Joy-Filled Life In Troubled Times: All for Christ – Keeping the Right Focus – Part 6
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Philippians 3:20 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV) One of the primary reasons Christians have a hard time finding joy in troubled...