Profound and Sometimes Preposterous Ponderings of Pete

"People are trying to take Christ out of Christmas"  A common lament from American Christians.  I say go ahead.  Let's just call it the Winter Holiday or Season's Pleasin's or the Apex of Avarice.  Whatever.  Christ came to give his life to dark world and the celebration of His birth has lost its meaning. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. I apologize to my readers if I sound bitter.  I am not.  I am tired.  I am tired of all the hype.  I am tired of single parents working themselves to death to keep the lights on, the gas for heat, and a bowl of soup for their kids and then have all the media make them feel guilty because they did not sacrifice enough for

1.    My salvation (This includes my relationship with almighty God) 2.    My wife Corinne 3.    My children (all 12) 4.    My grandkids (all 12) 5.    My kids in Christ (it fluctuates) 6.    My church family 7.    My home 8.    My daily bread 9.    My clothes 10.  My life Yes.  In that order.   Happy Thanksgiving!

Did the dingo eat your baby?  Now that that is out of the way, I can proceed. Australian Shepherds and Heelers were bred from Dingos.  These breeds of dog are some of the most obedient, loyal, and affectionate I have ever seen.  Yet the Dingo is a ferocious wild dog.  If one of the pack gets injured in any way the others will turn on it, rip it to pieces and devour it. So what is my point?  As Christians, we are called to love and support one another.  To help each other through hard times and to be happy for each other through the good times.  This is what our Lord and Savior taught us.  It is what He expects of us.  Yet, too many times have I seen the Dingo in brothers and sisters in the church.  Gossip, factions, unforgiveness turns us into packs of Dingos.  I have seen Christians ripping into and devouring other Christians when they are hurt or wounded.  Whether or not it is their fault, after running to the one place they should have been safe, they ended up worse. I have bee

Matthew 6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phras

I know that I am a new creation I know that I am loved by God I know where I will go when I die. But sometimes I feel lost Sometimes I feel lonely Sometimes I feel weak and sometimes I feel weary I know that I have the Spirit of God within me I know that life here is temporary I know that I will spend eternity with God But sometimes I feel lost Sometimes I feel lonely Sometimes I feel weak and sometimes I feel weary I know that my Father will provide for me I know that my sins are forgiven I know that He will protect me But sometimes I feel lost Sometimes I feel lonely Sometimes I feel weak and sometimes I feel weary Sometimes, but not always.  Praise God!

Recently, I posted a synopsis on Romans 1.  I received requests for more so I have decided to walk the Roman road here.  A few years ago I attended a very thorough and in-depth study on Romans taught by Pastor Eric VanRhee of the Adventure Four Square Church in Draper Utah.  My eyes and mind were opened so much that it totally changed how I read the Bible and how I study it. Even more, it gave me a richer, deeper, new, and humbler understanding of my own salvation. One of my gifts is that of teacher (it remains to be seen if I am a gifted teacher). I have taught Chemistry, Physics, Math, Biology, and other science courses for over 20 years.  Why my resume`? I am used to relating complex and difficult subjects to people who normally would not choose (unless threatened with death) to learn them. Romans is not an easy book. I love to write. I love the Word of God. I love to teach the Word of God.  I would like to help you, my readers, gain the insight that I have. I am far from a Ph

Matthew 17:19-20 English Standard Version (ESV) 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Ever see a mustard seed? Pretty small huh?  Based on that, what Jesus said, and my own experience, I too have very little faith. Much smaller than that.  I was thinking about it today though. I really do not desire the power that can be misinterpreted from this passage.  I am too selfish and evil to wield that kind of power. It scares the Hell in me! God knows this as well.  Here is what I do desire: I want the confidence that comes with true faith. Faith the size of a mustard seed. I have always battled with self-confidence. All my life.  (OK.  Those who know me close your mouths) BC, I had a very low