Steve's Blog
One of the ways to stir up lively discussion among Christians is to bring up the subject of “Seeker Sensitive Churches.” Inevitably, blood pressure will rise and charges will be thrown back and forth. For some, “Seeker Sensitive” is a code word for a gospel message that has been compromised or watered down while others view it as a way to introduce people to Jesus in a nonthreatening manner. A question that often comes up in my mind is this: “What do we call the opposite of seeker sensitive?” Se...
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“Who Cares” or “Who Cares?” When the phrase “who cares” is used, it may either be a statement of indifference or a question inquiring if anyone is concerned. There are times when a statement of indifference is perfectly acceptable because there are so many things of so little consequence, but when it concerns our attitudes toward people, indifference must never be an option because there are so many people who are wondering if anyone cares about them and their circumstances. The importance of co...
Although I have my thoughts on what is going on in the world pertaining to the torture and martyrdom of Christians, a better question might be, **“What does love think?”** I have been particularly struck by a phrase in 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV), *“(Love) thinks no evil.”* Other translations such as the NIV render the text as *“it keeps no record of wrongs.”* In either case, I would like to explore the question, what does love think and do my thoughts align with it? === 
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)
in reality, it is a simple question. How do we decide what to do and where to live? Depending upon our circumstances, we have the freedom to move. As a child of God, what factors should we be considering as to whether we stay where we are or move someplace else?
How much consideration should we...
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And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)
There is seeing, and then there is seeing that goes deeper than the surface. It is hard to see things as they really are because of our lack of insight or preconceived notions. Elisha’s servant could see things in the natural realm, to a greater reality. We need God to open our eyes to the realities beyond the visible. Without eyes that see beyond the natural, we will have...
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Hearing is essential. Or is it only meaningful when there is something we want to hear? Paul warned Timothy: For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT)
Even if w...
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. 1 John 5:20 (NIV)
Are you familiar with the expression, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you?” While there may be circumstances where this maxim is proven true, often, it is demonstrably false. While someone may take comfort in the idea that “ignorance is bliss,” the Bible addresses this succinctly: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 (CSB)
Back in the day...
“Sir, we want to see Jesus.” John 12:21
In the days leading up to the crucifixion, some men wanted to see Jesus. They did not approach him directly but instead sought to use Philip as an intermediary. We cannot be sure, but perhaps they felt uncomfortable, as Greeks, to approach Jesus. Philip, having a Greek name, seemed like a possibility.
We do not know why these men tried to see Jesus. Some men wanted to see him so that they could worship him. While others, like Herod the Great, felt th...
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In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NCV)
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
The subject of individual rights is a hot topic right now. Perhaps it has always been, at least in the United States of America. It is a country that prides itself on “rugged individualism,” nonconformity, and independence. “I want to live my own life, and you can’t tell me what to do” is a...
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Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4–5 (NLT)
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and we accepted his gift of salvation, we became a member of the great and glorious body of Christ. There is also an expression of the body of Christ at the local level; we are many members with many different backgrounds, gifts, interests, and abilities. It is a mystery...
*“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”* Psalm 62:5 (NLT) Very few people that I know, including myself, enjoy waiting. As we mature, we may find ways to mask our impatience, but inside I presume that most of us are just like children waiting to open Christmas presents. Waiting is a part of life and in fact, sometimes we even have to wait for God. I want to examine three aspects of waiting; our motivation for waiting, something I refer to as “actively waiting” and fi...
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins, and we accepted his gift of salvation, we became a member of the great and glorious body of Christ. But there is also an expression of the body of Christ at the local level; we are many members with many different backgrounds, gifts, interests and abilities. This is in part a mystery as to how God can take different people from different backgrounds and experiences and mold us and unite us together into the body of Christ. The body of Christ is not a club...
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (CSB)
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
As we age, it is commonly believed that change becomes more difficult for many of us. Perhaps it is because we want to hold onto those familiar and comfortable things for us. This notion can be an obstacle to fulfilling our commission to “go and make disciples among all nations. ” The forces t...
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And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Transformers is a multibillion-dollar franchise of toys, comic books, video games, and movies. The premise is that two alien robot factions at war can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals, and then back again to their original state.
As Christ-followers, we are to be t...
It is perceived that as we get older change becomes more problematic. Perhaps it is because we want to hold onto those things that are familiar and comfortable for us. This can be an obstacle to the fulfilling our commission to *“go and make disciples among all nations.”* Those who oppose us would like nothing better than to distract us from doing the ministry and mission that God has given to us. We must be able to lead, adapt and change. We must be able to distinguish between those things th...
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Ed Wynn was a popular vaudevillian comedian and actor in the early part of the 20th century. One of his on-stage props was an 11 foot pole to reach out and touch people that other people would not touch with a 10 foot pole. In a memorial tribute to my grandfather, Winston Mattsson-Boze made this application, *“We stood for a new kind of Pentecost-- one that held an open spirit, and it refused to choke somebody out because they wouldn’t conform…Ted had an 11 foot pole. Our dealing with difficult...
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It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26 (NASB 2020)
I do not want to put you on the spot or embarrass you, but do you read the ending first when reading a book? Reading the end of a book first would be a serious breach of protocol for some people. For others, it is about removing the suspense.
We know what transpired before Resurrection Sunday. We observe Good Friday, remembering the price Christ paid to cover our sin. It may be a solemn time, but...
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What does it take to get ahead and be successful in life? Conventional wisdom tells us to be aggressive and grab for what we can because most likely no one is going to hand it to you on a silver platter. Consider James and John, also known as the “Sons of Thunder.” In Mark 10:35-45, James and John request to be seated in places of honor with Jesus when he sits on his glorious throne. How audacious and presumptuous of them. There is every indication that their parents instilled in them the belief...
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The Christmas story is filled with contrasts and extremes. On one hand Christ birth brought some extreme joy, while others were filled with terror. One of my favorite opening sentences in all of literature is from Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities.” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” What a great impact was made when the One who is the Light entered our world as a man. To those shepherds, wise men, and others like Simeon who welcomed and sought after the LIGHT OF THE WOR...
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**“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”** 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) Many Christians believe that sound doctrine or teaching is important, but they do not always know why it is important. Sound doctrine is not an end in itself, but instead it serves as guard rails to keep us on the road of faith. Following sound doctrine will lead to sound living, sound ministry and sound hope. When we look at the results of following sound doctrine we ca...
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is undoubtedly a concise way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older, that life passes by quickly.
Last month, I received my Medicare card, so I suppose that that officially makes me a “senior citizen.” I am probably in some denial, and I can relate to someone who said, “I c...
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I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is certainly a succinct way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older, that life passes by quickly. This week my parents celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary and next week Denise and I will be celebrating our 30th. Recently we have been with people who are celebrating significant birthdays or anniversaries and almost inevitably someone will say, “How did I get...
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In California where I live, we have been facing drought conditions for several years. The solution to a drought crisis is obviously water. Even in the best of times there is not enough rainfall to supply all of the needs in Southern California. We depend upon rivers and aqueducts to bring the water to us. It is impossible to sustain life, physically or spiritually, without water. The Psalmist declared, *“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,...
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A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
In 1987, President Reagan said in a speech in Berlin, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” President Reagan was referring to the wall built by the communists, separating East and West Berlin. A little more than two years later, East Germans gathered at the wall and demanded that the border guards immediately open the gates. Some people took matters into their own hands and began “chipping awa...
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A few weeks ago I wrote about the paradox of serving in the kingdom of God and how, even though it is counterintuitive, the way to greatness is actually found in being a servant to others. Even though God plainly tells us that *“His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts”* there is still an element of surprise when God revealed His plans and purposes to us. We have been conditioned by the world’s methods and protocols, but God does not limit Himself to man’s conventions, in...
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