✨ Days of Awe 8 of 10: Drunkenness ✨ “You must not associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NLT) At first glance, Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 5 about drunkenness can seem random and harsh. After all, what’s so bad about “a good buzz”? But Paul is stern: a chronically drunken person should be removed

10 Days of Awe TOOLS & INSIGHTS Judging gets a bad rap, but truth is, we all make judgments every day—sometimes life or death. It’s also a little hypocritical. Even in recovery, we say “stick with the winners” (a judgment!) while condemning judgment—even if it happens behind closed doors. WHAT JESUS REALLY SAID When Jesus said “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, ESV), He wasn’t calling for moral free-for-all. He was calling for humility. 3 “And why worry about a

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25, ESV) Brothers and sisters, please—let’s heed what God is saying here. There’s no way to make light of this. No Isabella wit to take the edge off. Forms of Falsehood Slander and reviling both appear on Paul’s short list of sins that warrant removal from Christian fellowship. And Jesus condemns hypocrisy and false teaching not only i

✨ Days of Awe TOOLS & INSIGHTS: Shame ✨ When the Pharisees dragged a woman caught in adultery before Jesus (John 8:3–11), they were ready to stone her. In truth, they were projecting their own sin and hiding behind false righteousness. Jesus turned the tables: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” Convicted, they slipped away, ashamed. To the woman, He offered both mercy and a charge: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” That’s the tension we al

Forgiveness can feel impossible when the wound is deep. Yet Jesus gives us a framework that is both sobering and freeing. Forgiveness isn’t for the other person first—it’s for us. 1. Examine yourself before confronting another, coming in humility (Luke 17:3). 2. Talk privately first, aiming at reconciliation (Matthew 18:15). 3. If they repent, forgive—again and again (Matthew 18:22). 4. If they refuse, involve others or, in some cases, step away. It may even be obedience to

“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT) Jesus flipped the script. In the Old Testament, material prosperity was often seen as a sign of God’s favor. In the New Testament, not so. Christ warns that wealth can blind us, enslave us, and even keep us out of the kingdom (Matthew 19:23–24). I’ve written extensively on this subject in my Bles

During these Days of Awe, as we self-reflect and repent of what God shows us (Steps 4–10), praying David’s Psalm 51 can help. Try praying it daily—or more. I love this prayer and the painfully instructive failings that inspired it. We want to learn from David’s experience and apply the wisdom he learned the hard way. David himself tells God, “Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you”  (v. 13). There’s nothing more powerful than sharing our true stor

✨Days of Awe #2 of 10 – Idolatry✨ “ They know about God, but they don't honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. They claim to be wise, but they are fools. They don't worship the glorious and eternal God. Instead, they worship idols…” Romans 1:21-23 (CEV) Speaking of sexual sin—which God often links to idolatry—Let’s be honest: as Americans, we really have a big problem. Anything we put before God is an idol, so that co

Did I get your attention? I’ll bet! I’m so sorry to tell you there’s no version of Christianity that allows for sexual immorality. Just to clarify: No premarital sex. No extramarital sex. No porn. No unchecked fantasizing. No self-indulgence. No spouse-swapping or orgies. Not of the heterosexual or the homosexual variety. God considers all of it—every bit of it—outside of His will. Call it “love” all you like. God says it’s not. Jesus said pluck your eye out (Matthew 5:29). Y

10 Days to Re/Turn Tonight at sunset marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe—ten days of intensified reflection, repentance, and restitution leading up to Yom Kippur (October 1). These days were observed by Jesus, the early believers, and many faithful still today. Regardless, it’s always a good time for a holy housecleaning. " No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harves

The aches and errant white hairs keep on coming, but I know there’s a (much) better body coming when this mortal one finally gives out!...

Author Note: I have a backlog of Sage Sayings-related Facebook posts— too many to share here but for a start, here is a digest of last...

Author Note: Here are the first four in a series of weekly Facebook posts on the topic of repentance, aka, Steps 4-10, started a month...

What Jesus really said about prosperity. "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and... if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." C.S. Lewis, Author & Oxford/Cambridge scholar/theologian. I’ve been sitting on this second Blessed blog installment since early June, when my internal conflict and trip to Italy stalled progress. Since then, I got busy with paying work, a handy, avoidant escape. Yet God just would not let me call

Author Note: Wonderful people, I have been very busy with a demanding paid project, a son leaving for college, and another starting high...

Dear Readers: I’m reposting this from my Sage Sayings & Slogans Facebook page, because it’s relevant and useful for all of us. Also cuz...

I love how God sometimes answers prayers on a dime—in unexpected places like San Frediano's medieval basilica in Lucca, home to the tower...

A key stop on the Via Francigena—an ancient travel and pilgrimage route to Rome—Lucca is known as the city of 100 churches. Its many...

Today’s Guideposts entry reminds me to focus on my destination, especially when detours or discouragement loom large. On a somewhat...