Christ Animated

In the life of a born-again believer, at what point does his sin negate (or outweigh) the good works he has done? Recently, a friend and colleague from years ago was found dead in his home by his wife. The church where he pastored and the school where he taught joined together to honor his life in a memorial service at the school. Now, one week later, the man's son revealed in another gathering at the school that his father had admitted to some bad decisions in his life, and committed suicide. A note was left, detailing his depression and his sin (including membership on AshleyMadison.com), and saying he was very, very sorry. His wife said she and their children would have forgiven him and moved ahead, as would many others in the school and church. Speaking to news sources, she said, "What we know about him is that he poured his life into other people, and he offered grace and mercy and forgiveness to everyone else, but somehow he couldn't extend that to himself." ...

I've been taut Not to do that I've been taut To relax I've been taut Just a little And been taut To the max I've been taut When I'm weary I've been taut When I'm strong I've been taut When I'm right And been taut When I'm wrong All of my life  At this moment is fraught But what do I know? It's just what I've been taut

You know when we got together Love was more than we could measure And the wind and tide were always on our side But as the years stretched to forever Our love changed just like the weather And the only thing that settled was your mind I know we've left behind Every memory we could find Of the two of us in our better days And you tell me not to fret Better days are just ahead But I know that you love me in the worst way It's the worst way You could have loved me It's the worst thing You could have done Now you've left me Here a-cryin' While you're out having all your fun I guess you wanted a new beginning I see it looks like you found you one Since you loved me in the worst way It looks like "us" is done. (c) Brett Campbell, 08.03.2015

So, you just _________ for the millionth time, and you wonder if God will forgive you? Again?  No amount of hard work, or Hail Mary's, or worrying will help you. God wants something else.  * "... a broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not turn away" (Psalm 51:17). * "But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9). * "You must be born again... For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:7, 16). If you have allowed Him to make you a new creation in Him, and have confessed in brokenness and humility to Him, He has forgiven you!

Leviticus is part of God's Word. The book is part of the Books of Moses (the Pentateuch, the Torah), and is literally entitled "And He called". The Greeks named it Leuitikos, meaning "relating to the Levites", and thus it came into English as "Leviticus". This book addresses more than the Levites (Israel's priestly clan), however, expanding to all the Israelites, at times. The book's instructions emphasize ritual, legal, and moral practices more so than doctrines or beliefs. The purpose of the book is to emphasize God's desire for humans to live in a right relationship with Him. In regards to the issue of homosexuality, Leviticus chapter 18 has been quoted liberally - by "both sides" of the issue. Those opposing homosexuality/LGBT have stressed that verse 22 specifically forbids men having sex with men. Supporters of homosexuality/LGBT stress that other verses in the book forbid wearing clothes made of two different types of mater...

Mercy Me's song, "Flawless", is right on point. Compared with the popular secular song by the same name, quite a few contrasts can be easily seen. Mercy Me's song focuses on our worth being found in Christ. No matter our condition on our own, the sacrifice of Jesus makes those who accept Him flawless. "let me introduce you to amazing grace No matter the bumps No matter the bruises No matter the scars Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless No matter the hurt Or how deep the wound is No matter the pain Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you flawless" "Could it possibly be That we simply can’t believe That this unconditional Kind of love would be enough To take a filthy wretch like this And wrap him up in righteousness But that’s exactly what He did" "Take a breath smile and say Right here right now I’m ok Because the cross was enough" Beyoncé's song "Flaw...

My daughter Jessy, my wife Donna, and I were enjoying watching a television show on London, England, when someone commented that they never thought of England as being very big. Jessy said if we visited the country and got separated, it wouldn't take long to find each other. If we got separated, I said, they would find me at The Eagle and Child. From wherever in England I was, I would just give the cab driver the address of 49 St. Giles, Oxford, and settle in for the ride. Within short walking distance of Oxford University and St. Johns College, this traditional English pub has been around since 1650. Taking its name from the crest of the Earls of Derby, The Eagle and Child was nicknamed “The Bird and Baby” by an interesting group of writers who dubbed themselves “The Inklings”. It's because of this connection to JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis that I would be found there. I'm not a drinker, so I wouldn't be ordering any of their “cask ales”, “specially selected...