3 Sabbath Principles Every Smart Christian Knows

Did you know that failing to observe the Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath commandment, can lead to moral deficiency?

True, Old Testament law is only applicable to the believer inasmuch as it relates to morality, but the Fourth Commandment addresses three ills you might otherwise overlook. It is quite possible to overcome these sins without observing the Sabbath, but smart Christians know that God instituted the Sabbath for our benefit.

Tossing it aside would be foolish.

William Warby (CC)

So here are the three negative consequences of ignoring the Sabbath:

One Lie Many Well-Meaning Christians Tell You About Love

I’ve said it before. You might have too.

But it’s not true.

I understand why we say it. Those who do are all well-meaning. It’s hyperbole to make a point.

Wild Creative Group (CC)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one:

“Love is not an emotion.” (Sometimes it’s appended with, “It’s a choice.”)

How to Be a Part of Something That Matters

Quick question: What does the Tower of Babel have to do with Pentecost?

The Tower of Babel, Pieter Bruegel

You know the Babel story well. We humans got together to try to build a tower that would reach heaven. So God mixed up our languages making it difficult to work together. In the process, He says something interesting:

3 Pieces of Hard Evidence for the Existence of God

God exists outside of our finite universe.

We are bound by time. He created time.

We are bound by fatigue. God does not tire (Isa. 40:28).

We must eat to survive. God is life itself.

Patrick Feller (CC)

But God gave us three pieces of hard evidence as ways to reveal himself to us.

The 9-Step Guide to Finding the Church God Wants You to Attend

It's hard to find the right church.

Looking for one can feel like attending a timeshare seminar, a blind date, or a multi-level marketing "party."

Jim Sorbie (CC)

But perseverance pays off. Katie and I went through the process a year ago, and we learned some valuable lessons along the way. Here are nine steps to finding the church God wants you to attend:

Why We Can't Afford to Be Lazy Christians

The stubble on my face betrayed me.

I woke up that morning without motivation, listening to the gurgle of Mr. Coffee. It smelled like morning, but I didn't feel much like work. So I dallied. Who knows what I did instead of shaving—combed my RSS feed, loitered in the shower enjoying the hot water, or watched the weather for the ninth time.

zneppi (CC)

Whatever it was I knew there was nothing important on my agenda that day. Sure, I hadn't shaved in 48 hours, but what was another day?

* * *

"I meant to ask you yesterday." My boss began. "The IT directors from around the state are on campus today. Would you mind sharing your experience configuring iPads?"

Of all days.

The Real Reason Jesus Turned the Water into Wine

Jesus' first miracle was kind of mundane as far as miracles go.

Yes, changing water into wine is, no doubt, an amazing feat, but it seems kind of out of place in the oeuvre of Christ. Typically Jesus' miracles involved meeting a deep need: healing, feeding, saving His disciples from storms.

But water into wine? No one was going to die if they ran out of wine.

Loci Lenar (CC)

Perhaps this is why Jesus was reluctant when his mom came to him for help. Providing more booze for an unprepared wedding party was hardly an urgent matter.

But I think Jesus saw it as an opportunity to make a larger point.