Ever think about the distribution of wealth in the United States?  How about the distribution of wealth throughout the world? One of my favorite bloggers (Jeremy Statton) has.You'll just have to read his fascinating post, ponder the distribution of wealth video (which I found utterly captivating) and then sit and consider it for a while. Continue reading "How is wealth distributed anyway?"

I've been reading the book of Acts.  It's the book of how the Church spreads in its very early days.  And what an incredible book it is.  Wow, what an account of God's Kingdom advancing...This morning I read chapters 21-28, the final 7 chapters.On his way back to Jerusalem from Ephesus, Paul and his teamContinue reading "Sometimes you know that you know! … And there will be no dissuading you!!"

Often thinking on the painful emotions I feel -- rolling them over and over in my mind -- is neither healthy emotionally nor pleasing to God.  Like you, I'm in a fight (Eph. 6). The negative thoughts I nurse about others are not consistent with God's will and character. I know that.  (We are responsibleContinue reading "Sometimes doing a complete 180 is absolutely the right thing to do!"

  Essentially, you say four things when you truly forgive someone, including yourself, maybe especially yourself.  "I will not dwell on this incident.""I will not bring up this incident again and again, using it against you.""I will not repeatedly talk to others about this incident.""I will not let this incident stand between us or hinderContinue reading "How do you know if you’ve truly forgiven someone?"

Well, my friends, on that one we must part company.  You are just plain wrong...* After fasting and prayer by the leaders in the church in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the work of the Lord ...  Clearly, the Lord had spoken!13 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers:Continue reading "Will you commend those with whom you disagree?"

Menu in Chinese script at Golden Harbor restaurant in Champaign, ILThere are now thousands of Chinese students (both undergraduate and graduate students) studying at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and living in the twin cities. One of the favorite restaurants among Chinese students has the menu up on wall all in Mandarin [普通話].  It'sContinue reading "What’s the difference between all these churches anyway?"

As I talk to people every day, I ask a lot of what questions...* What is going on?* What do you want to do?* What are your options?* What would you do to improve this situation, say, 2 to 3 percent?I'm careful with the why question because people can hear, "Why in the world wouldContinue reading "God asks Why questions, and well, so can you!"

As the early church spread and grew, she experienced persecution.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, heContinue reading "The power of God always starts, always continues from a pure, humble, contrite heart!"