Clare De Graaf's Blog, page 6
December 16, 2019
Does God Care Where We Give?
As we think about year-end giving, I found this blog by a respected friend, David Wills, helpful. (I’ve added a paragraph near the end regarding giving to secular colleges.)
We tend to give in areas of personal passion, or to places we care about. But is it possible we have this a bit backward? Isn’t it important to put God at the center of the equation and see what he thinks?
God cares about each of us. He allows us to steward financial resources for his glory and our good. He knows that as we glorify him out of gratitude for his gifts to us, we experience true life. And he desires that we reflect his generosity through our giving.
If we make obedience to God and reflecting his love to the world our supreme motivation, then giving comes into view as an excellent context to glorify God. So, what are the things we can support from the resources he has entrusted to our care to glorify him?
So, what are the things we can support from the resources he has entrusted to our care to glorify him?
We tend to give in areas of personal passion, or to places we care about. But is it possible we have this a bit backward? Isn’t it important to put God at the center of the equation and see what he thinks?
God cares about each of us. He allows us to steward financial resources for his glory and our good. He knows that as we glorify him out of gratitude for his gifts to us, we experience true life. And he desires that we reflect his generosity through our giving.
If we make obedience to God and reflecting his love to the world our supreme motivation, then giving comes into view as an excellent context to glorify God. So, what are the things we can support from the resources he has entrusted to our care to glorify him?
So, what are the things we can support from the resources he has entrusted to our care to glorify him?
December 9, 2019
Can Christians Commit the “Unpardonable Sin?”
In last week’s blog, I described the sin Jesus said could not be pardoned or forgiven in this life or the next. The unpardonable sin is attributing to Satan, a work of the Holy Spirit like the miracle Jesus did. But if what it means to be saved is that all past and future sins are forgiven by God, because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, is it even possible for Christians to commit an unpardonable sin?
Maybe
Maybe
December 2, 2019
What is the Unforgivable Sin?
I grew up believing the “unforgivable sin” was denying Christ. I thought there were two kinds of people who could do that – non-Christians who rejected the gospel and people who once said they were Christians, but now deny being one.
I was wrong (partly).
I was wrong (partly).
November 25, 2019
Because I Said So!
Almost everything God ever commanded or Jesus ever taught is counter-intuitive, even to born-again Christians. “Pass through the Red Sea, do not covet, trust my promises to bring you into the Promised Land, love your enemies, forgive 70x7, love others as much as you love yourself, no one comes to the Father but through me, today you will be with me in paradise.” I’ve read the beatitudes and thought to myself, “I cannot imagine doing all the things Jesus commanded consistently, and on occasions, I’ve have just plain given up and given in to some unspiritual impulse.” Obedience is hard!
Why? Why is it so hard to believe and obey God? What does my failure to obey God tell him about me?
Why? Why is it so hard to believe and obey God? What does my failure to obey God tell him about me?
November 18, 2019
We’ll See
There is an old Afghan story that goes like this;
A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how wonderful.” But a Zen master who lives in the village says, “We’ll see.” The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how awful.” The Zen master says, “We’ll see.” The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to war. But, because of the broken foot, the boy stays behind. Everyone says, “Oh, how wonderful.” The Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
I was reminded of that proverb a few weeks back when I met with a Christian man who sold his business four years ago. He had come to me because I sold my business 35 years ago. He wanted to know what challenges he might face with his newfound wealth and time. At the time of the sale he was praising God for his good fortune to cash in, and use that time and money to invest in his family and the kingdom. “I’m so grateful to God for this blessing,” I remember him saying. And remembering this Afghan proverb, I said, “We’ll see.” My comment surprised him so he asked what I meant by that.
A boy is given a horse on his 14th birthday. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how wonderful.” But a Zen master who lives in the village says, “We’ll see.” The boy falls off the horse and breaks his foot. Everyone in the village says, “Oh how awful.” The Zen master says, “We’ll see.” The village is thrown into war and all the young men have to go to war. But, because of the broken foot, the boy stays behind. Everyone says, “Oh, how wonderful.” The Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
I was reminded of that proverb a few weeks back when I met with a Christian man who sold his business four years ago. He had come to me because I sold my business 35 years ago. He wanted to know what challenges he might face with his newfound wealth and time. At the time of the sale he was praising God for his good fortune to cash in, and use that time and money to invest in his family and the kingdom. “I’m so grateful to God for this blessing,” I remember him saying. And remembering this Afghan proverb, I said, “We’ll see.” My comment surprised him so he asked what I meant by that.
November 11, 2019
On What Verses in the Bible Have You Based That Idea?
It’s stunning to me how many Christians express their ethical, moral or political ideas strongly as if they got those ideas straight out of the Bible. Ideas like:
“God hates homosexuals!”
“America is a Christian nation.”
“You can’t believe in abortion and be a true Christian.”
Later in this blog, I’ll briefly address each of these. And it doesn’t mean you can’t find some teaching in the Bible that seem to support some part of these ideas. But here’s a question I’ve learned to ask people who make statements like these;
“God hates homosexuals!”
“America is a Christian nation.”
“You can’t believe in abortion and be a true Christian.”
Later in this blog, I’ll briefly address each of these. And it doesn’t mean you can’t find some teaching in the Bible that seem to support some part of these ideas. But here’s a question I’ve learned to ask people who make statements like these;
November 4, 2019
On What Verses in the Bible Have you Based that Idea?
It’s stunning to me how many Christians express their ethical, moral or political ideas strongly as if they got those ideas straight out of the Bible. Ideas like:
“God hates homosexuals!”
“America is a Christian nation.”
“You can’t believe in abortion and be a true Christian.”
Later in this blog, I’ll briefly address each of these. And it doesn’t mean you can’t find some teaching in the Bible that seem to support some part of these ideas. But here’s a question I’ve learned to ask people who make statements like these;
“God hates homosexuals!”
“America is a Christian nation.”
“You can’t believe in abortion and be a true Christian.”
Later in this blog, I’ll briefly address each of these. And it doesn’t mean you can’t find some teaching in the Bible that seem to support some part of these ideas. But here’s a question I’ve learned to ask people who make statements like these;
I Sometimes Blog Because I’m Unsure What I Believe
My wife and I were out to dinner a few weeks ago and we were discussing how and why I blog. Specifically, how I come up with the topics for my blogs. Without trying to appear overly spiritual, I think the Holy Spirit gives me those topics. As I’m reading scripture, or listening to a sermon, or even watching the news. I often get this impression “that’s an idea you should think about more deeply.”
But irony is that often I’m not always sure what I believe about each topic, or why. To be sure I have an opinion on almost everything, but an opinion is not a fully formed thought, based on a biblical worldview. So rather than just shoot from the hip, I’m forced to do some research. Several things often happen as I begin that process.
But irony is that often I’m not always sure what I believe about each topic, or why. To be sure I have an opinion on almost everything, but an opinion is not a fully formed thought, based on a biblical worldview. So rather than just shoot from the hip, I’m forced to do some research. Several things often happen as I begin that process.
October 28, 2019
The Dangers of Claiming Promises, God Never Made to You
A few years back, I met with a man considering a new job in California, moving there with his family. While the job and the move sounded exciting to him, something he said set off alarm bells in my spirit.
When I asked him questions about the affordability of housing, schools for his children and his wife’s thoughts on the move, he dismissed most of them with this statement.
“I’m just going by faith, like Abraham and his family. God brought him to a new country and prospered. We’re going to just trust God to do the same for us.”
My reply startled him. “But did God specifically tell you to go to California? Did he promise you, that if you went, he’d cause you to prosper with the kind of clarity he gave Abraham?” Obviously, he admitted God had not. Then made this observation; “There are some things you should never trust God for.” “Like what?” he asked with real skepticism.
When I asked him questions about the affordability of housing, schools for his children and his wife’s thoughts on the move, he dismissed most of them with this statement.
“I’m just going by faith, like Abraham and his family. God brought him to a new country and prospered. We’re going to just trust God to do the same for us.”
My reply startled him. “But did God specifically tell you to go to California? Did he promise you, that if you went, he’d cause you to prosper with the kind of clarity he gave Abraham?” Obviously, he admitted God had not. Then made this observation; “There are some things you should never trust God for.” “Like what?” he asked with real skepticism.
October 21, 2019
Six Mistakes Many Straight Christians Make When Talking About Homosexuality, that “Date” Them
I’m 71 and “old school.” I’m proud of that in some ways, like having a good work ethic, being courteous and loyal, my love for God and having trust in the Bible. But being old school has its downsides. Until five years ago, I didn’t realize how archaic both my language and ideas were regarding homosexuality and LGBT+ people.
I love hanging out with college and post-college young people, including our own grandchildren. I do that every week to either introduce them to the gospel or to help shape their worldview. So, five years ago, when I was having conversations about LGBT people and with LG
I love hanging out with college and post-college young people, including our own grandchildren. I do that every week to either introduce them to the gospel or to help shape their worldview. So, five years ago, when I was having conversations about LGBT people and with LG
