Andrew Gilmore's Blog, page 3

No, Turning to God Isn't All Roses

 A preview of October's email-only article.

Pedro Vergara

TURNING TO JESUS means you'll be happy and prosperous the rest of your life, right?

Therefore, if you're unhappy or less than wealthy, it probably means you don't have enough faith.

You see where one can run into trouble with this line of thinking.

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and this month we're talking about the reality of turning to God in the context of the book of Job. If you'd like instant, free a...

The Lasting Impact of Godly People

Focusing on things that last.

 

AS MY TWO oldest boys and I were preparing for a mission trip with my church to Jamaica this past year I couldn't help but get swept up in the logistics of it all.
How would we get all our supplies to Montego Bay?How much would everything cost?How long will it take to get a passport?
The fifteen of us planning to go held monthly meetings to discuss these questions and more. And as the days went on, I wanted the whole thing to be over.
Don't get me wrong; I wanted to go...

What You Need to Know about Bildad's Influences

A preview of September's email-only article.

Bernard Tuck

Wisdom is a great thing, but as Job's friend, Bildad, found out, relying on even the wisest of humans can get you into trouble.

Just who were these influences of Bildad, and why did he trust them wholeheartedly?

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and this month we're talking about worldly wisdom and the limitations thereof. If you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below. (If you are already a sub...

Sometimes, People Don't Need More Theology

You can be right and still be wrong.

Nina Strehl

 

WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURTING, it can be difficult to know how to help them.
I read a good book a few years ago called When Helping Hurts that details instances in which charitable contributions actually do more harm than good. Don't misread me, generosity is a great thing. It encapsulates the very heart of God, who is a giver. But gifts that create dependency or are simply Band-Aids for more serious symptoms could actually hurt in the long run.
Money matt...

One Harmful Consequence of Sin

A preview of August's email-only article.

Philipp Pilz

It would be kind of obvious to say sin is harmful, wouldn't it?

Nevertheless, I think sin has a consequence we often don't recognize until it's too late.

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and this month we're talking about this consequence, and how to reclaim your peace. If you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below.
Here's a snippet of the article:

YOU KNOW SIN IS BAD; nothing revelatory there.
God ...

Stop Playing the Lottery

  Unearned wealth will fade away.

Alejandro Garay

 

WE LOVE GET-RICH-QUICK STORIES.
We can't get enough of the rags-to-riches trope. The Cinderellas, the little orphan Annies, Aladdins, Billionaire love stories, the Powerball winners. The long lost wealthy relative who just bequeathed you millions.
The fantastical prospect of a sudden exorbitant windfall entices even the best of us. Rags-to-riches tales are harmless as long as the consumer acknowledges one thing:
They are lies.
Yes, one out of 292 mill...

The Richest People Don't Live Like You'd Expect

 A preview of July's email-only article.

David Suarez

The richest people are those who own the nicest cars, homes, and jewelry, right?

No, not if you ask King Solomon.

Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and this month we're talking about the key to true riches according to Proverbs and Jesus. If you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below.
Here's a snippet of the article:

Despite owning mansions and flashy cars, a Nicholas Cage or a Burt Reynolds might be...

Yes, Rest for the Weary

When all you want is a little relief.

Matthew Henry
 

IF YOU'VE LIVED LONG ENOUGH, you've endured periods of unrest in your life.
These seasons come in many forms, but I suspect they affect us all. Some might have to deal with illness, either chronic or acute. Some might be struggling with stress from work keeping them up at night. Still others might just have more to do than they have time to accomplish. These are just a few examples.
Through these seasons it can be difficult to carry on. All we wan...

Life's Too Short to Give God the Silent Treatment

 A preview of June's email-only article.

P O W L Y

Have you ever been angry with God?
If so, how did you respond? Did you turn your back on him? Or petition him?
Every month I publish an exclusive article for my email subscribers, and this month we're talking about how we should respond to God when our emotions run high. If you'd like instant, free access, fill out the form below. (If you're already on the list, check your email.)
Here's a snippet:

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MAD at God? It's kind of a weird p...

Remember, the Snake Has Already Been Bruised

 An encouragement for those in anguish.

Timothy Dykes
 

THE BIBLE DEDICATES a healthy percentage of its words to content that's downright disgusting. Think about driving a tent peg through a man's temple or losing a sword in the belly of an obese king.
The book of Job is full of nastiness too as a result of the infirmities that befell him. One such verse is  Job 7:5 in which Job says, "My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt; my skin hardens, then breaks out afresh."
Yummy!
Some commentators like Char...