n0klu's Rants

  Sep 21, 2021 at 12:02 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Why So Lonely? Why So Lonely? “‘I have been very zealous for the LORD…. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death…. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.’” 1 Kings 19:10 Scripture Focus: 1 King 19:9-18 In the mid-80s, the average American had three or more good friends. By the 2000s, the number was less than two. In the same time span, the number of Americans who claimed to have no friends jumped from 8% to 25%. Sociologists say we are now experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Much of depression is rooted in that feeling of loneliness and the lack of meaning which comes with it. Are you one of these lonely persons? Do you feel like you’re deceiving the friends you do have, and that if they knew you were so lonely, they would unfriend you? Do you feel like Elijah—as if you’re the only one of your kind left and no one is on your side? Lonelin...

  Sep 19, 2021 at 12:02 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Why Are We Defensive? Why Are We Defensive? “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18 Insight: Isaiah 53 “He never helps around the house,” the wife cries. It begins. “I work a full-time job! What do you expect me to do?” Wait for it… “You should be more grateful for how I provide for the family!” Now the husband has turned the wife’s criticism back upon her, and a fight inevitably ensues. I’ve talked with many a couple for whom this scenario rings true. Why do we tend to be so thin-skinned when others criticize us? Is there truth to what they’re saying? Are we blind to the pain that might be motivating these critical comments? Do we want to preserve our reputation or a positive image of ourselves? Even if a comment about you is unfair, what do you hope to gain from defending yourse...

  Sep 16, 2021 at 2:14 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Persecution Complex? Persecution Complex? “…keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:16 Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Do some Christians face a soft form of persecution in our society? Most certainly. Maybe you are one of them. Christian business owners sometimes face fines for maintaining their values. Christian students are met with increased harassment and ridicule in schools and universities. Many who despise the gospel mock Christian claims of persecution (though actually there is a hint of truth in what is said). How should we respond? We have a responsibility to pray for our leaders, to advocate for justice, and to ask that the church be left in peace from government interference. All of this is good and proper. But frankly, we complain too much. We throw pity parties. This does not earn us sympathy from our unbel...

  Sep 15, 2021 at 12:00 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Bond of Brokenness Bond of Brokenness “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15 Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 When a person or couples sit in my office they are there for a reason. They turn to the pastor when divorce, abuse, betrayal, etc., torment them. Countless downcast friends have miserably muttered things like, “I’m a mess,” or “I have failed,” or “I can’t seem to ever get things right,” or “I’m broken.”   Whenever another person expresses something of this sort, it is appropriate to leave a moment for silence. Usually, I break that silence with, “So am I. Let’s talk.” As with all Christian pastors, I am an alien in a largely unbelieving culture, just like you are in the wider culture. Yet we all share something very basic. Perhaps we can call it the “broken bond.” We are all sinners and sufferers. ...

  Sep 14, 2021 at 12:40 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Why Am I Afraid? Why Am I Afraid? "And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria."       Acts 8:1 Scripture Focus: Acts 8:1-8 You think we're living through difficult days? Compare our time to that of the early church when a mob led by Saul of Tarsus murdered Stephen. A great persecution-perhaps the beginning of a genocide-was launched against the small body of new Jesus-followers. Imagine having to flee for your life with your family!   We see many discouraging trends in our culture today. Families and communities are breaking down. Perverse practices are encouraged. Hostility toward Christians seems to be growing. Perhaps you feel a little like those early believers-running for your life. But notice where the early believers fled: to Judea and Samaria. In...

  Sep 8, 2021 at 12:03 AM CST Topic: +DEV+     Nothing New Nothing New "Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new'? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time."     Ecclesiastes 1:10   Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 1:11 Fear. Anxiety. Uncertainty. Which of these words describes your feeling about the way our society is heading? Rapid advances in technology often leave us confused and feeling outdated. The breakdown of families and communities leave us feeling lonely.   Worst of all, if you're a Christian, you are increasingly marginalized and mocked. In the past, people may have thought your faith to simply be a matter of indifference or just outright wrong. Often today, people think that your faith is evil.     Here is your “cancellation” button for your coat.   Whatever the reason for this (and there are many), it means that you are increasingly on the outside, looking in upon a culture you ha...