Jesus | Heartstone Journey

Why The Resurrection Offers Hope For A Brighter Tomorrow

Having a right set of doctrines is not enough. This truth was put to the test in the trials and storms of my journey, and it drove me beyond my superficial acceptance of the truth into a deeper understanding of God’s very nature.

Did you know that the core of Christianity is not a set of philosophies, a religion, a world view, or even the teachings of Jesus? It’s the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive and He cleared the way for us to have an intimate relationship with the living God. We spend a lifetime in hopeless pursuit of everything else expect God, ignoring that the very heart-cry of our soul is for a relationship with Him.

We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.

—A. W. Tozer

Do you have a clear and accurate picture of who God really is?

Do you really know God? Do you?

Why The Remake Of Ben-Hur Is About Forgiveness, Not Chariots!

The pile of books that I’d like to read keeps growing and so does the list of movies I’d like to watch. One of the movies on my watch list was the remake of Ben-Hur. So, recently after digging out from a New England snow storm…I made some dinner, poured a glass of wine and rented Ben-Hur.

Didn’t know what to expect from this remake since the 1959 film, based on Lew Wallace’s nineteenth century novel ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’, starring Charlton Heston was so epic. I think just about everyone would agree that Charlton Heston would be a tough act to follow.

That didn’t stop Roma Downey and Mark Burnett from considering a streamlined remake of the 1959 film. Like its predecessor, the remake of Ben-Hur, features a charismatic actor (Jack Huston) as Ben-Hur, epic scenery of the period, and an absolutely stunning chariot race! But the remake takes a bit of a different path from the original with more of an emphasis on the power of Jesus Christ to bring about forgiveness — a welcome emphasis that is so needed today.

Spoiler Alert

Why Christmas Isn’t About Peace

As we step into the Christmas season we find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping to fill that space under the tree, making plans to be with our loved ones in the coziness of our homes to enjoy a nice dinner…and we ponder the joys this time of the season brings.

Christmas trees, white Christmas, Santa Claus, nativity scenes and all the symbols one would find on some card we pick out in the card aisle of our favorite store. Then there’s the yearly conflict on what to call the company party; a holiday or Christmas party. Can I say ‘Merry Christmas’ without getting fired? Is it a holiday tree or a Christmas tree? Is Jesus really the season or is it a pagan holiday? Is it a Christian holiday or is everyone included like on the coexist bumper stickers?

…the conflict of Christmas!

So let me ask you something, do you really think that Jesus traded Heaven for Earth to come and bring peace? Let’s see what the Bible tell us.

Is Going To Church Absolutely Necessary?

Sunday is coming and going to church is looming on the horizon.

Let me know if you can relate to this. There’s allot going on and the tug-o-war begins on how to make everything happen — including going to church. Then it happens…you’re subconscious, a well-meaning church friend or a pushy pastor begins to woodpecker you that you need to go to church.

For many of us, Sundays without church can bring a tremendous amount of guilt! Church can be a wellspring for spiritual development and growth, but it’s not the only place for this to happen. People really buy into the narrative that we can only find our spiritual life within the walls of our church and if we look elsewhere, we’re doing it wrong or the experience is somehow “not real”. If you can’t or won’t find your way into a building called “church” on Sunday, be encouraged because you can fully walking it out and love Him without perfect attendance.

So, is going to church absolutely necessary? The short answer is no, but keep reading…

Worship In The Midst Of A Secular Culture

Matt Redman singing his worship song “10,000 Reasons” live in Times Square, New York. The advertisements in the background are flashing, promoting different products and services, while the crowd sings praises to God.

During a time of such global turmoil in a growing secular culture…it’s just awesome that worship to the one true living God can happen in such a place as Times Square!

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

Why The Resurrection Offers Hope For A Brighter Tomorrow

Why The Remake Of Ben-Hur Is About Forgiveness, Not Chariots!

Why Christmas Isn’t About Peace

Is Going To Church Absolutely Necessary?

Worship In The Midst Of A Secular Culture

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