Eternal life is to know God and this definition was prayed by Jesus in his last priestly prayer of John 17. For those who have heard me teach Scripture, you understand how important I believe John 17:3 is: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 New International Version (NIV) Eternal life is to know God The focus of this verse is the verb: … Continue reading →
What are you so worried about? Jesus is talking about the silliness of worrying about these things—food, clothing, shelter, health, genetic make up, inheritance, any of it. You need to relax!
Continue reading →One of the things that happens as you mature is dealing with all that you have seen, heard, and done. As I have told many people, I have learned more since I was fifty than in the fifty years prior. My entire writing career started when I was fifty, for example. Lately, we have been dealing a lot with Ecclesiastes—all is vanity. More and more, nothing seems to matter except our relationship with Jesus. Increasingly, the things … Continue reading →
As I get ramped up to submit my new novel to publishers (and enter it in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award), it has become increasingly obvious that I need a separate site for my fiction. So I resurrected my old domain bergsland.org and converted it to Bergsland Books. http://bergsland.org and who knew it would be transformed to The Skilled Workman? Life is full of surprises. It’s up and running with some simple stuff for Black Sail: a Christian covert … Continue reading →
Judges 17:6 (English Standard Version) In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Isn’t this the state of us today? A lack of leadership, plus a rugged individualism. In the world it is indeed hopeless. Our so-called leaders are corrupt and they follow the sheep and/or the flesh—lost in the futility of their minds. So, how do we get beyond this? I must admit I’ve gotten to the … Continue reading →
OK! It was a surprise to me also (and maybe it’s only for me). I’ve been praying all day for guidance and direction. I end up at Isaiah 60. The first verses just leapt off the page at me. Isaiah 60 (English Standard Version) Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his … Continue reading →
As those of you who know me have probably figured out, I’m going through a major period of adjustment in my life. Last night my remote stopped on a broadcast by Joyce Meyers. Man, that woman can preach! She really helped me see some things about myself that need serious work. The Holy Spirit comes through again. Thank you, Lord. It’s good to be reminded that even though I may have an accurate vision of where the … Continue reading →
Easier said than done, huh? I’ve been contemplating this issue now that I’ve “retired” — wondering what the Lord would have me do with the rest of my life. I tend to go by what He blesses. But that is certainly not a reliable indicator. You have to make certain of several things to do that: Are you following His lead? If not any blessings on your direction are probably from the Creep. Are you hearing from … Continue reading →
I was praying this morning and was brought back to the verses in Matthew 24 about his next coming in power. I could talk for hours about how I think that might work. What His name might be. Who will be raptured and when. But I was reminded by the words of my favorite pastor. I was her associate pastor for many years, and I taught quite a bit on end-times speculation (for that is what it … Continue reading →
Oh my God — NO! We do not need Bible thumping obnoxious brats in graphic design. We are to be salt, not spice One of the most difficult things for a new Christian to realize is that beating people over the head with Jesus is counter-productive. Jesus called us the salt of the world. Salt has a very special job and it is used in very special ways when we eat. Salt is a preservative It keeps … Continue reading →