07/27/2023
The Jesus Guilt Cure
When I was in seminary, I remember reading a psychologist who said that guilt is healthy if it lasts no more than five minutes or results in a change of behavior. I put the book down and thought: “Lord, my life is nothing but an onion with layer upon layer of unhealthy guilt.” Later on, I read a theologian who said that guilt is destructive to the soul unless it is first openly and completely confessed to God and then taken to the one we have offended to confess again and ask for their forgiveness. Again, I despaired when thinking of all the people in my past I would have to seek out and make amends to.
Guilt that lingers, regret that nibbles around the edges of our thoughts are termites to the soul. It is to be chained to the past when Jesus tells us to do all we can to focus on the here and now. There isn't anything Jesus can’t forgive. His grace is always greater than our sin and brokenness. Asking for his forgiveness, listening to his response, carrying out a dialogue which allows us to 'let it go and trust it into his hands' is not an easy thing to do. Not by a long shot. But it is a prayer that he is eager to hear and ready to say Yes to. It is the only way I know of to rebuild the bridges we have damaged and strengthen the relationships we need to become the women and men God has created us to be.
Archived Posts
Let’s Not Overlook Joseph of Nazareth
I asked my research assistant—a certain ChatGPT—what the most interesting facet of Joseph’s life might be. She shared a couple of things that didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon but you might still find inspirational...
Key Takeaway from Sunday
If I had to identify a specific take away from
Sunday’s sermon it would probably be this:
The Rest of the Story
I mentioned Russell Conwell in Sunday’s message. He was a famous preacher, educator, and lecturer. His sermon/lecture “Acres of Diamonds” was turned into a book and sold rather well. I used Conwell’s illustrations to talk about sharing the good news of Jesus with those closest to us first—family, friends, coworkers, and church family. The wider world is our ultimate aim, but until you invest in the people God has already put in your life, you are unlikely to have much success.
No One Said It Would be Easy
To love Jesus first is to learn to love all the other people in our lives with greater intensity and less selfishness
What’s Saved Is Often Lost
Here’s the benediction we didn’t have time for yesterday (Sunday, November 3). It’s one of my favorite quotations (portions of a newspaper column). I hope you find it as inspiring as I have
Leftovers Continued…
It’s not just the fact that God is un-impressed by our leftovers, it actually goes deeper than that. In a sense, Jesus is passionately and purposely opposed to anything leftover. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to work diligently to make sure that in the end nothing at all is left over.
Less Stuff and Fewer Wants
Here’s a point I left off Sunday’s sermon due to time and length. In dealing with an Entitled mindset it is very helpful if you can Reduce Materialism and Consumerism.