How do you understand Jesus' teaching to the Rich Young Ruler?

I believe some of Jesus’ teachings about discipleship come from I Kings 19:19-21. The rabbis viewed the relationship of Elisha to Elijah as a role model for a disciple. Here are the verses:

19 Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. 20 Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.”

Discussion

“A Thousand to None”: What Did Solomon Mean?

Ecclesiastes 7:27-28 in the ESV reads:

27 Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— 28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found.

Discussion

Do you think America's economy will be shut down or very severely hurt by cyber-attacks within the next five to ten years?

The recent shut down of a pipeline by a Russian gang of ransomware criminals has been an inconvenience. Imagine what would happen, for example, if all power plants across the U.S. went offline. There are, of course, many other possible scenarios.

Will we stay ahead of the game? Will we ever get to the point when everything has a manual override? And, if so, will it be in time?

What are your thoughts?

Poll Results

Discussion

Do you believe the government disclosing that they think UFOs are real will have an impact on the evangelical world?

You have probably read about the fact that a commission began by President Trump to come to a conclusion about UFOs and present that conclusion to the people is underway.

The response to recently leaked videos taken by military personnel have led a number of top current and former government higher-ups (even someone like Mark Rubio) to state that people really saw these, their maneuvers are impossible with human technology, and that there is no other explanation other than alien appearances.

Discussion

Was Jephthah's daughter offered as a burnt offering?

In Judges 11-12, we find the narrative about Jephthah.

When we think of him, we almost immediately think of his foolish vow and the consequences of it to his daughter.

Judges 11:30-31 in the ESV reads:

30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, 31 then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”

Discussion

Will Gender Chaos Close Our Camps or Affect Youth Ministry?

What will happen when campers at a Christian camp are influenced by other campers with gender dysphoria? Or when a biological boy registers as a girl and vice-versa? Will churches be able to escape federal mandates based upon our convictions, or will we be forced to play along or be closed?

This concern has been going through my mind, and I am wondering about the future of age-segregated ministry, particularly ministry that involves youth outside the church. But these issues can arise inside the church as well. Are we up fo fighting lawsuits?

Discussion

Where are you COVID-wise?

We are at a crossroads when it comes to COVID, at least in the western world.

Where are you at? Please choose the choice that best describes you.

Poll Results

Where are you COVID-wise?

Discussion

Do Personal (Premarital) Inventory Tests Really Improve Marriages?

Since 1996, I have used Prepare/Enrich personal inventory tests in an attempt to help with premarital counseling. I gave up using them this last year. The reason: they do not seem to make a long-term difference.

If I look at the divorce rate from my pre-testing years, it is no better or worse. Although targeting certain areas where a relationship is weak sounds logical, I wonder if it actually saves either time or energy, especially since it takes a session to take the test.

Discussion