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Published: 07 February 2020

We live in a culture driven by feelings.  Our emotions often have more weight than the truth.  We are even taught to “follow our heart,” which is to say, “Do what you feel is best.”  Feelings are wonderful.  What a gift to be able to feel something in our hearts.   But, feelings are also fickle, subjective and not at all trustworthy.  This is why, if we are to make progress as a disciple, we must educate our feelings.  The truth is, the way we feel about something may not be right, wise or even moral.  As you know, I often feel like driving faster than the speed limit.  This is generally frowned upon by the men who police our highways.  How I feel about my speed is always secondary to the law, that’s reality.  The policeman doesn’t actually take my feelings into account if I was driving 20 mph over the stated speed limit.  I’ve never had a policeman say, “Just follow your heart.”  They always say, “Slow down and honor the posted speed limits.”  In other words, “Educate your feelings.”  While this is hard, this re-education of our feelings is part of maturing as a saint.  We have to tell ourselves, based on the truth, how to feel about something.  How should I feel about not getting my way?  How should I feel about the grief I have caused another person?  How should I feel about the salvation of a sinner?  Educating our feelings means we pause to think about the feeling, why we feel that way and whether or not it is true to His ways.  It’s true, we feel what we feel.  We can’t tell someone else how they should feel.  But, we can examine our own feelings in light of what and Who we know and lead our heart in a new direction.  More about this on Sunday .

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Published: 24 January 2020

We’ll be having our annual reminder of the Sanctity of Human Life this coming Sunday.  Those of us who are pro-life often talk about the babies whose lives have been taken and the tragedy of their death.  That message should be proclaimed because abortion is an assault on the image of God!  But, what about the women?  What about the loss they have experienced?  What about the regret?  What about the shame that accompanies the aftermath of their decision?  Some women have been publicly outspoken that they have no more shame or regret than they would for having their appendix removed.  I am sure there are some of those women that are telling the truth but they are not representative of all women.  I have heard and read testimonies of many women that wish they could reverse their decisions.  (Surrendering the Secret is a wonderful Bible Study for post-abortive women.)  And, to the woman who comes to Jesus, may she hear…”Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more…”  The gospel must be as loudly proclaimed as the evils of abortion.  Reardon wrote, “The greatest tragedy of abortion is that it separates women from God.  The despair which drives women to abortion is also used by the enemy to make them doubt God’s mercy.”  Please pray that we will be more enthusiastic about the life offered to sinners through Jesus than we are about highlighting the evils of our society.