Archive for the ‘Salvation’ Category

Deadly Sin Inventory

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Sin Inventory

The following list of sins may help you recognize how sin affects your life. Although some seem similar, this collection reveals some of the subtle differences between each word (arrogance and pride). Your honesty will give you the opportunity to meet Jesus.

Adultery
Ambition
Anger
Annoyance
Arguing
Arrogance
Bitterness
Blame
Blasphemy
Boasting
Breaking vows
Cheating
Abuse (physical and emotional)
Complacency
Complaining
Coveting
Cowardice
Critical
Defensiveness
Demanding
Despair
Discontent
Dishonesty
Disobedience
Disrespectful
Divisiveness
Doubt
Drug abuse
Drunkenness
Duplicity
Cursing
Envy
Exaggeration
Excuse-making
Extortion
Fear
Greed
Gluttony
Gossiping
Hatred
Homosexuality
Hypersensitivity
Hypocrisy
Idolatry
Impatience
Impossible to please
Inattentiveness
Ingratitude
Insulting
Interrupting
Irresponsibility
Irritability
Jealous
Joylessness
Judgmental
Laziness
Lukewarmness
Lust
Lying
Materialism
Moodiness
Murder
Muttering
Omission
Partiality
People-pleasing
Pleasure-seeking
Prayerlessness
Prejudice
Pretense
Pride
Procrastination
Rage
Rationalization
Rebellion
Resentment
Revengeful
Rude
Ridiculing
Sarcasm
Self-centeredness
Self-consciousness
Self-indulgence
Selfishness
Self-pity
Self-reliance
Self-righteousness
Self-ruling
Self-seeking
Sexual relations outside of marriage
Slander
Snooping
Speaking ill-will
Stealing
Stinginess
Stubbornness
Superiority
Temper tantrums
Thoughtlessness
Time wasting
Trespassing
Unforgiveness

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Who Is Jesus to You? Pastor’s Summary Says It All

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

Jesus is an interesting person, complex in many ways.

His character is powerfully reflected in a video and the poetry of the late Dr. S.M. Lockridge, a pastor you may never have come across.

The audio is a bit rough, but the message is clear: Jesus has many more attributes than you can fathom at any one time.

If you’re a fan of creativity, writing, oratory and spiritual insight, you may be touched by the way he captures the heart of Jesus (the video images help along with some modern background music).

Here’s an excerpt followed by the Christian video:

“My King”

He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captive.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.

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Alcohol and Christianity

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

It’s OK to drink alcohol if you’re Christian and if you aren’t a believer in Christ.

I know many Christians disagree with this – that Jesus doesn’t want people getting drunk. And others say it’s better to avoid booze just because – kind of like you avoid the sin of being drunk just by not drinking in the first place. The same thinking comes from people who don’t think boys and girls should dance together because someone may get romantic. Or, they don’t want boys and girls to swim in the same lake because those bathing suits (or skin) may arouse someone.

Anyway, I drink now and then because I have a few drinks that I like. I don’t get drunk and drive home or kill people. In fact, plenty of references in the Bible (Old and New Testaments) talk about parties and drinking. In other words, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. But God clearly teaches against excess.

Here’s a twist: As Christians, we may want to consider not drinking if our behavior causes someone else to stumble. In other words, if your drinking makes someone else think drinking is OK for them (when it may not be for any number of reasons), maybe you shouldn’t drink either. Or, maybe you shouldn’t drink simply because someone else watching your Christian witness may be turned off because they see you with some hard liquor.

Stuff to think about, stuff that has little to do with whether you’re a friend of Jesus. Pride is a more serious issue.

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A New Day Away From Hell

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

As much as I fail to live up to what I know, the truth is, this is all about Him.

The Him is Jesus. He’s the ultimate path to heaven. You may go through a lot of things. You may meet a lot of people. In the end, it’s just you and Jesus or you without Jesus.

I made 52 Paths To Heaven to reflect my personal journey and touch on issues that may be foreign to me but not you (like abortion).

We like to think of prayers and preachers and the Bible as our guiding light. The truth is, the Holy Spirit is our light and He’s authorized to do whatever God wants to reach us – no matter how high we go with our pride or how low we go with our depravity.

You’ll be able to order to book soon. In the meantime, drop me a line if you’re interested in the book or the topic of what we do to get to heaven. I’m eager to know how you feel.

The book should be out December 10th or sooner.

–Mike

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