Active Faith

Cast Off that Corpse and Take Up Your Cross!

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).   How are you coming on those New Year’s resolutions? What did you promise yourself you were going to stop doing this year? Eating too much? Spending too much idle time? Running up too much debt? How about the things you resolved to start doing . . . or do more of? Exercising regularly? Maintaining a consistent devotional time? Getting out of debt?  We all do it every year; we promise ourselves we are going to make changes. And that’s […]

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Hero Maker

Recently I overheard someone say, “you are not a hero maker.” The comment immediately got my attention for many reasons. I was curious what a hero maker was and what it took to make one? I was also intrigued by what standards one was measured by to determine if he/she was a hero maker? I sensed there was something worthwhile hidden within the comment, perhaps a secret prize of some sort.   We all love heroes, and they do, indeed, come in all shapes and sizes. The most notorious heroes are those men and women that stand up for the […]

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Heaven

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). We live in a world where an increasing number of people do not believe in an eternal hell, a place of everlasting punishment. A frequently asked question is “How could a loving God allow anyone to go to hell?” My problem has always been just the opposite. By that I mean, I have no problem believing in hell. But how could there be such a wonderful place like heaven? How could the love and grace of God be so […]

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The Season of Giving

As the year ends and we begin celebrating the holiday season, there is a cultural phrase that sticks out to me the most this time of year: “the season of giving.” This usually is in reference to the fact that this time of year is when we tend to give gifts to our friends, families, neighbors, co-workers or loved ones to show the appreciation and gratitude we have for them. As much as I love this time of year – music, food, weather (even though South Florida fall weather is just a less scorching summer with random cold fronts, it’s […]

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I love you Bono

I was introduced to the music of U2 back in high school, and I have remained a fan ever since. Bono, the lead singer has been open about his faith in Christ, and though unconventional in his expression, I don’t doubt it. Recently I had the opportunity, with Lisa, to see his one-person presentation entitled, “Stories of Surrender,” a two-hour depiction of his life story based on his recently published book by the same name. The experience was exceptional and profound. I was drawn into the experience and noted how he used emotion, intellect, cadence, art, movement, music and silence […]

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The Christmas Story: What Gifts Are You Bringing into The New Season?

If you grew up attending church, you’ve probably heard and read about the wise men and their gifts countless times. However, as I was ruminating recently on the story of the magi going to meet Jesus, something stood out to me in a new way.   “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:10-11 NIV).   These three wise men had seen a […]

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Accident Victim Chooses Forgiveness over Bitterness

At Palm Beach Atlantic University, often the tables are turned as we educators learn from our students and alumni. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, we honored alumnus Carter Viss, who by his actions has taught us much about perseverance, forgiveness and letting God bring good out of tragedy. On Thanksgiving Day 2019, Carter was snorkeling near The Breakers resort on Palm Beach when a boat bore down on him. Its three propellers sliced into all four of his limbs, and Carter saw his severed right arm fall onto the reef below. He would have drowned, bled to death or died […]

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What is Faith and Vocation? A Theology of Work

Will you work in heaven? Day after day we clock in and out from work. But perhaps in the busyness of our days, we don’t tend to think of what our life with the Lord will look like when He returns. What will heaven be like? What will we spend eternity doing? Will we only be singing praises to God endlessly? Or will we be doing more? Will we work in heaven? Depending how we answer this question will determine how much we understand what “Faith and Vocation” truly is. So, before we look to the end and consummation of […]

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The Government Will Rest on His Shoulders

Tens of millions of Americans flocked to the polls on November 8 to cast their ballots in one of the most crucial midterm elections in our nation’s history. Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives by a narrow margin, while Democrats retained control of the Senate. Changing of the Government Some people may be sad, some may be glad and some may be mad about the election results. One thing’s for sure — our success as a nation depends on God. Our country can’t turn its back on Him and expect His hand of blessing to continue. We need […]

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