Today is my birthday, as well as my Dad’s birthday (we are born on the same day), and I have had time to reflect on a few things. A long time back I had posted this article on a Christian forum. The people I posted this to and for, only had one question: what does it mean to be a Christian man in a world of sin? And what does it take to be an image of Christ to your family, friends and associates on a daily basis?

In other words, what is the measure of a man of faith?…

After posting the original article on the “trust and faith” issue, I received a response from my friend Jan Baker. She was, and is, the pastor I was referring to about the whole discussion on Facebook. I think it is a good read, and clarification, concerning what was meant. It always is good to take a second (or more) look at things to get true understanding.

Jan Baker:

“Brother Jonathan I appreciate your wisdom and insight however, I still hold to my answer. I have all of my life had faith in God. Fully persuaded that He is God, my…

On FaceBook a question was asked about faith and trust, whether you can have one without the other. A pastor (and personal friend) had answered that yes, you can have faith WITHOUT trust. I thought about that—and I must admit that I really disagree. I understand the logic behind that summation, I just disagree with the conclusion.

You can not put your faith in something you do not trust.

To be quite honest, with English being such a complex language, we often use “faith” in place of “trust” and the opposite as well. An example: Joe’s car needs a starter…

I run into this from interesting places, usually those who express leadership in godly matters. What am I talking about? Being railed against because (to them) we are not to THINK—but rather follow only those things told to us in the Bible. However I contend against this, and it IS prevlant in Christiandom, the mind is a gift from God and as such it is to be exercised by His Grace and teachings. If all we have is the literal Word for personal circumstance, we will be without instruction.

The Bible does not micro-manage. There is an expectation for you…

I have included the forward of an article by David Bivin, as there is much opposition to Jesus being a Rabbi. That it is not scripturally based. Mr. Bivin’s background:

David Bivin is co-director and co-owner (with his wife, Josa) of Jerusalem Perspective, a unique, Jerusalem-based work. David is a member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, a think tank made up of Jewish and Christian scholars dedicated to better understanding the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). In the early 1980s, before the School became a legal entity, he coined its name. For most of the years…

Charter schools, religious schools and privatized education puts the people in charge of their education. Yes, the government is to provide this, but as we see there is a national crisis of huge proportions the like we have never seen within our nations’s history going on right now!

So we MUST take control of the things that promote, sustain and engender freedom, faith, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and the ongoing prosperity of it’s people, national character, and its’ sovereign identity.

America is a bastion that is being battered at it’s roots. The education system is what places the power…

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14 (Amplified)

The obvious conclusion is unbelievers and believers in Christ do not mix. But here is food for thought: what of those…

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)

“DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.” Matthew 7:1 (Amplified)

Judgement deals directly with our acts, or the things we do that others see. It does not take in consideration the heart or our intentions. It is mortal (flesh and/or carnal) and does not have that capability. It is good to note that God searches the heart, thus what was meant, and what our intentions were—and bypasses the rigid confines of mortal judgement altogether, that He may…

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. ~ Psalms 34:18 (KJV)

The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. ~ Psalms 34:18 (Amplified)

This is the last post of the year. There have not been any posts since August and I knew I needed to find closure for the year and for myself. It has been a hard, agonizing and tearful few months, the lesson have…

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you”.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you…