June 20, 2019 by David Stockton
The dictionary defines the word shrewdas “having sharp powers of judgment.” In the Greek language, which is what the New Testament was written in, the word is phronimōs. This Greek word translates into English as “wise.” The Message Bible translation helps us understand what Jesus taught ...
June 13, 2019 by David Stockton
It is almost Father’s Day, and I find myself compelled to write about femininity. (I know. I’m weird.) I think I am being compelled by of a combination of things: 1) I want to join the good work that's happening in our world today to empower women. 2) I feel a nudge from the Spirit of the Living God to write in this direction, due to the confusion regarding gender these days. ...
May 30, 2019 by David Stockton
In my early years, when I would try to describe what faith in Jesus is, I would fumble over vague, ethereal-feeling words. I would say things like, “You just feel it,” or “It’s like hoping or trusting in something,” or even “Faith is believing in something.” The responses this would invoke were usually a wrinkled forehead, raised eyebrows, and confused eyes. If the listener ...
November 30, 2018 by David Stockton | Category: Pastors Blog
In a book I have been reading lately the author discusses a psychological defense mechanism called dissociation. (I know that sounds boring, but bear with me a moment.) Dissociation is the splitting off of a group of mental processes from the main body of consciousness. The first example is from a story about a missionary who was mauled ...
Keep ReadingNovember 15, 2018 by David Stockton | Category: Pastors Blog
My life right now has three main compartments. I have heard people say it is not good to compartmentalize your life. They say, “Your life should not be like a frozen dinner, it should be more like a pot pie.” But I don’t really know what “they” are talking about. I have my home situation, which is most important. I have my ...
Keep ReadingNovember 8, 2018 by David Stockton | Tags: news, media, election, truth, holy spirit
Tuesday's mid-term election has me pondering a multiplicity of political postulations. These are some of my questions: Is it possible to write about politics without being political? Is there any way we Americans can survive another presidential election cycle? Is there any media/news source that can be trusted? Are there ...
Keep ReadingNovember 1, 2018 by David Stockton | Category: Weekend Preview
The shadow is so easy to see and so familiar to us. Each week there are news reports about the darkness of man. It seems we think the commandments of God say we SHOULD murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, and covet. Last week's killings in the U.S. bring another reminder that the pendulum ...
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