Christ in Post-Christian Culture
Written by Steven Barto, B.S. Psych. The standard definition of a loophole is an ambiguity or inadequacy in a system, such as a law or a set of rules, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the purpose, implied or explicitly stated, of the system. It is basically a small mistake which allows …
Continue reading "Do You Look for Loopholes as a Christian?"
Written by Steven Barto, B.S., Psych. I had a tough time picking a title for this post. Although I am presenting an account of the first deception in the Bible, there is also an amazing correlation between the punishment God administered for that deception—which is also the first sin—and the torture and torment suffered by …
Continue reading "The First Deception"
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. —1 Corinthians 15:22 It is important that we know how God sees us. This can be rather difficult given our tendency to think the worst of ourselves, or to define our lives through the lens of others. One of the …
MARTIN LUTHER STRUGGLED a great deal with the idea of justification and righteousness. He was so obsessed with sinning and offending God and worried he would die having failed to confess everything. He spent a great deal of time ruminating about his behavior. He unfortunately focused how he could punish himself and assure that he …
Continue reading "Justification"
Paul began his letter to the Romans by setting forth the theme: The righteousness of God (see Romans 1:1-17). In this letter, Paul tells us how to be right—with God, ourselves, and others. Paul also explains to us how one day God will make all of creation right. This is what is meant by restoration, …
Continue reading "Sin’s Lost Dominion"
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk …
Continue reading "The Twenty-Third Psalm"
Justification and sanctification are not the same thing. The basic dictionary definition of justification is "the action of showing something to be right or reasonable." The theological definition is "the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God." Sanctification is an ongoing process. It comes from the Greek word hagiazo, which means …
Continue reading "Justification versus Sanctification"
DURING THE WEEK LEADING up to Easter I will present seven distinct reasons why Christ suffered and died, culminating on Easter Sunday with To Reconcile Us to God. Today we look at Christ suffering and dying that we might die to sin and live unto righteousness. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the …
Continue reading "Christ Suffered and Died: That We Might Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness"
Our great initial need before God is to be justified. To have God declare us not guilty, and pronounce us righteous in His sight. At first glance this appears to be an impossible situation for man. God, our Judge, is holy by His nature. Because of sin, man is unholy by nature. "But we are …
Continue reading "Righteous in His Sight"
It was 500 years ago this year when Martin Luther took a stand against the various aspects of corruption and misguided doctrine within the Roman Catholic Church, thus launching the Reformation. On the heels of my class on the History of Christianity at Colorado Christian University, I read an article in Christianity Today, January/February 2017, …
Continue reading "Martin Luther and the Righteousness of God"
a resource for moving poetry
Anxiety & Panic Disorders & Addiction RECOVERY
Exploring the Ordinary to Find the Extraordinary
love, christ, God, devotionals ,bible studies ,blog, blogging, salvation family,vacations places pictures marriage, , daily devotional, christian fellowship Holy Spirit Evangelists
Writing by Samuel Pye
"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory!" John 1:14
Christ in Post-Christian Culture
'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' John 8:36
...find truth!
Living by Faith
revelations and reflections from my daily devotion
The Power of Story
The Literary Magazine of the Osterhout Free Library
Serving a little poetic nourishment every morning. Start your day with our new expanded menu. Poems, of course, are our specialty. But we will also be serving a fuller menu that includes poetry book reviews to feed poets' and poetry lovers' souls.
Commentary on Books, eBooks, and Editorial Matters
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Blog
Lucidly in shadows. Poetry from a hand that writes misty.
Living the hope that comes from Christ
The Accidental Apologist 