Perspective is the manner in which objects appear to the eye in respect to their relative positions and distance. The same is true when we apply this metaphysically to our emotional, intellectual and spiritual view points. The key word when it comes to perspective is the word “relative.” We often use metaphors of rose-colored …
Author Archives: joslund1
The Idol of Worry
“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” (Luke 12:25,26) Despite what we have been told, Jesus actually spoke very little about money or matters of the law. While these were …
Worried and Bothered
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary…” (Luke 10:41,42a) Economic recession, inflation, global pandemic, wars, rumors of wars, racism, political and social tensions, gun violence and natural disasters. News media makes a living by exposing us to the worst of the worst events in …
The Real Face of Sin
We’ve been deceived, misled, duped into believing a lie from the enemy. The social, philosophic and religious traditions continue to spread the hoax that sin is fun, enjoyable, pleasurable and really only bad if we get caught, or if we hurt someone in the process – although nobody seems willing to agree on what classifies …
Imperfect Heaven
Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away. To that home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away. Despite the myriad of teaching and instruction on the nature of heaven both in Scripture and early church literature, there persists much confusion about it. Even among many professing christians today, the dreadfully …
Heaven & Earth
A lot of our disagreements originate from a failure to establish a shared understanding of the words we use. A modern example of this is the word reconciliation. Oh, we’re able to agree on a definition for the word – however you spin it, reconciliation is about bringing together rather than pulling apart – but …
The Beautiful Bride of Christ
I recently had the privilege to attend a wedding ceremony for some long time friends. During the processional (when the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle, climaxing with the entrance of the bride), I couldn’t help but think about words our pastor has spoken many times before. Having officiated many weddings through the years, …
Active vs. Passive Revival
Question: How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but ninety-nine to stand around and say “I could do that”. That’s one of the silly jokes I learned back in music college, and I think of it every time I come across Matthew 14:22-33. You’ll recognize the scene. …
This, That and the Other
Sometimes this is about this. Sometimes this is really about that or the other. But sometimes, it’s actually about this, that AND the other. Aside from the events of the Passion narrative, it’s incredibly rare to find an occasion where all four gospel writers covered the same event. One of these occasions is the familiar …
The Fragrance of Worship
Have you ever smelled a high-quality perfume? I’ve had and worn many different colognes over the years, but only just recently learned that there is a difference between cologne and perfume. It’s not that one is masculine and one is feminine, but rather it is a designation of quality. There are other designations as …
Just for a Closer Walk 