Month: February 2013

You have the power to change lives!

~ wzippler

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Buscaglia, Leo

Our Darkest Hours

~ wzippler ~ 2 Comments

I have had more then my fair share of tragedies in my life, both physical and emotional. Last night one of my pets died, and while it certainly not the worst tragedy in my life the thought that I will never get to hear my parrot Bo say “cracker” again is enough to bring me to tears.
The dark times, often make people question God, but others draw closer to him during those times. I am lucky enough that I was introduced to  apologetics very early in my Christian walk. I never wonder if he is there not even in my worst of moments. I draw my strength from KNOWING that one day I will get to hear the love of my life say ” Well done, good and faithful servant.”. It isn’t easy, but as long as I focus on him I will have the strength to move on.  My trials on Earth will not only make me stronger, and somehow even if I don’t yet see it some good will eventually come from it. These dark days will make me appreciate Heaven even more, because without back stabbers we would not know how special our true friends are, without discomfort we would not appreciate comfort, and without hunger we would not appreciate a wonderful meal.
I may be in physical and emotional pain right now, but thanks be to God I know that a brighter day is coming!

Not dressed up for church.

~ wzippler

I think it is almost always appropriate to dress your best when out in public including when you go to church, but I grow tired of people who are nasty about those who are not fancily dressed at church. God is far more concerned about the condition of your heart, then he is the holes in your shoes! Not everyone can afford nice clothes. If you are offended by someones clothes at church don’t be mean to that person, find out if they can afford better. If it turns out that they are struggling, be a real Christian and help them find the resources they need to improve their lot it in life. Don’t shun them because they bought their shoes at the dollar store!

I thank God that this post is in no way shape or form connected to my current church. Many of our members carry a deep love for the homeless in our area and do everything they can to help.

If you are local to the North Augusta area I highly recommend Fairview Presbyterian Church

Is God “good with slavery”?

~ wzippler

There is a picture going around that says that God is good with slavery, and even quotes
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Reading a single Bible verse can be very misleading, you must read more to get the full picture of what the Bible is saying.

Ephesians 6:6-9

6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

God was not endorsing slavery here, he is acknowledging that slavery exist, and warning the people that he does not divide slaves and freemen, he thinks of them exactly the same way.  If you mistreat a slave it is just as wrong as mistreating a free person.

Suggestion for further reading
Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God