Commonsense Christianity

“You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5) Have you ever felt as if God were keeping you on a very, very short leash? I know, it’s not a good image, since the primary animals associated with leashes are dogs. The verse above, in Psalms, implies sheep,…

“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) I never see this verse without thinking of the AWANA program, regarding which, after 10 long years of heavily participating in it, I still don’t know…

“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.” Hebrews 13:13 If you’ve ever done anything in contrast to the status quo, you’ve no doubt been shot with criticism by those who remain in the group, and are appalled that you would dare to leave. Homeschoolers are a great example. We…

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. (Psalm 32:9) I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “The Perfect Will of God.” As used within Christian circles, it sounds like it’s written, with capitals at the head…

“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22) I ran across a bawdy joke the other day that is definitely not the thing one shares with acquaintances or distant relatives. But it was too good to keep to myself, so I passed it on…

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth 1:16-17) As a Christian who does not have Jewish roots, I look at all the wonderful miracles God has…

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua…

“The men put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy.” (Joshua 9:5) It’s not necessarily a compliment to be called clever, cunning, canny and shrewd, although in the society in which I live, the United States, fooling people is considered…

“They sweep past like the wind and go on — guilty men, whose own strength is their god.” (Habakkuk 1:11) The society in which I live, the United States, is one which extols wit, cunning, business acumen, financial savvy, confidence, and strength. While this is not necessarily the list of attributes worshiped by ordinary people, it is…

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) Those of us who attended church in the 1980s are familiar with the musical version of this verse. As with any Scripture that is…

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