It is profound to me that the Bible tends to reflect back to a person 1.) who they are, and 2.) what they are looking for. It could be argued that this is purely a natural psychological phenomenon, but what if instead of being merely natural, the occurrence of this phenomenon was providential? What a … Continue reading Pilgrimage and Horizons of Self
Tag: faith
Good News vs. Bad News
The thing about the doctrine of hell, as I have known it, is that in contrast to the severity of it, nothing in this temporary life should matter. For real, given that doctrine, no enterprise should be worthwhile except standing on a soapbox warning loudly about the coming destruction. And yet, in the face that … Continue reading Good News vs. Bad News
Effective Humility
The verse is burned into my mind, because it was the revelation in the church in my little town about six years ago: "...and My people, who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and … Continue reading Effective Humility
The Unforgivable Sin
See also: Bare Minimum and Why Do People Walk Away? Recently, I was re-visiting a study of the Greek word "rhema" in the New Testament. Most of the time "word" or "words" come from the Greek, 'logos', but there are also many instances where 'rhema' occurs. The spiritual significance of rhema is that many Christians identify it … Continue reading The Unforgivable Sin
I Believe
To me, "believe", is not a very compelling word, it is too vague and it also gets used to describe one's relationship with figments of one's own imagination or the conjecture of personal opinion. I find words like "persuaded" or "convinced" to be much more compelling. "I believe He is the Son of God" is … Continue reading I Believe
Adam and Eve and sin
Man sinned and nothing has been the same since, we all know the basic story. Personally, though, I think the classic images of Adam, Eve, and a fruit tree don’t do the story justice. For one thing, I think that the phrase, “the knowledge of good and evil” has generally been hollowed of meaning and … Continue reading Adam and Eve and sin
Sex
Not so long ago, I read Dale Carnegie’s book "How to Win Friends and Influence People". In one of the marriage chapters, he advised that you should "read a good book on the sexual side of marriage." I was taken aback by by an author from eighty years ago making frank statements about the importance … Continue reading Sex
Identity
The thing about doing new things and working really hard to be something more, to learn and improve, especially outside of your comfort zone, is that you spontaneously and organically find out more and more of who you were made to be. It is like the truth that, no matter where you go, God will … Continue reading Identity
Moving Forward
I am entering a season of experience more than reflection. This means I don't necessarily know the meaning of it, nor can I neatly categorize everything, instead, I am called to simply experience. In this, I rely exclusively on the grace of God. There is no flesh, no lofty thoughts fronting a facade of having … Continue reading Moving Forward
Purpose
I am sharing these thoughts in honor of everyone who has ever taken the time to share a thought with me. This is for everyone has ever a shared a thought that gave me fresh perspective. These are the people who took the time to write something, to teach something, to visit, or to open … Continue reading Purpose
Andrew K. Banks 