Some persons say that they love God, but hate the church. I understand what they are saying. They are usually speaking of a particular Christian denomination or formal (liturgical or organized) worship service.

Jesus certainly did not die to establish a denomination. He died to establish HIS called-out people, his church. As believers, we first belong to Christ. Then, we have the option of joining a particular denomination or not. Regardless, we are all added to Christ’s body when we receive the “birth from above”.

One cannot claim to be a Christian and likewise hate the body of Christ, the church of Christ. Christ would not look favorably upon someone who hated his bride. Besides, it would actually be a form of self-hatred.

As members of Christ’s church, we meet regularly with other local believers. We eagerly desire the company of our spiritual brothers and sisters. We prepare to participate weekly in collective worship, for mutual edification. To do so does not require an edifice with a denominational name. It merely requires regular assemblies where truth-speaking is given preference, God is given praise, and all members receive encouragement.

If this isn’t happening where you presently assemble, consider hosting your own meeting next Sunday in your home, or after hours at a local coffee shop. It matters not to God WHERE you assemble. It matters to God THAT you assemble regularly to worship.

Can I not read Scripture for myself? Can I not discern truth from falsehood? Must I trust another person to interpret Scripture for me where God’s truth is plainly revealed?

God’s revelation is in written form. There is a reason for that. The Bereans (in the New Testament book of Acts) were commended for searching the Scriptures to see that what they were being told was true concerning Christ. Once convinced, they embraced it. They were ordinary persons, like me.

I need no university degree to read and comprehend what is true. I need only respect literary, historical, cultural, grammatical, and social context.

I believe God plainly reveals what is most important in Scripture. I feel a personal responsibility to discover truths about God for myself as I make a decision to spend eternity with him or away from him.

By the way, I choose "with him!"

Make a list of your top five emotional needs. Submit them to the other person in your relationship. Ask them to list their top five emotional needs for you. Then, mutually resolve to do a better job at meeting each other’s emotional needs. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the improvement your relationship will experience.

Most of our behavior (and misbehavior) comes from trying to get our significant needs met in legitimate (and illegitimate) ways.

We must do all we can to see that emotional and spiritual needs of our families are met. These are equally important to putting food on the table and a roof overhead.

It's the way we show we truly care.

What do persons need to survive? When I ask this question, most persons respond by listing physical needs like food, liquid, shelter, rest, and oxygen. These are absolutely essential, but humans aren’t just physical bodies. They also have a mind and soul. Emotional and spiritual needs are just as important for human survival as food and water.

The spirit needs Bible study, meditation, and fasting. If we neglect our spirit, it will have its effect on the soul and body. The soul has emotional needs like admiration, affection, conversation, domestic support, family commitment, financial support, honesty and openness, physical attractiveness, recreational companionship and sexual fulfillment. Neglect these, you run the risk of experiencing unpleasant physical and spiritual symptoms.

I pray that each of you do not neglect your body, mind, or soul.

Twelve miners are dead. Someone is responsible. Is it God?

“We had a miracle,” one woman sobbed, “God answered our prayers. They were alive. Then, God took back his miracle. Now they are all dead. Why did God do that? I don’t have faith in God anymore.”

There was no miracle. Okay, maybe one. Even his condition is questionable. This was a horrible tragedy. My sympathies go out to all families. The mining occupation is filled with great risk. Someone is responsible, but it is not God!

“We went to church. We begged God for mercy. We pleaded with God for a miracle. Everyone is dead. I don’t know if I can ever believe in God or prayer again.”

Who convinced us that love means giving us everything we ask? God answers prayer. He doesn't always answer as we wish, but he does answer.

God allows tragedy. This does not make him responsible for tragedy. He allowed great tragedy in Job's life. Yet, Job never blamed God. He did not allow his friends or his wife to convince him to curse God. His faith was not determined by his circumstance. Job trusted God.

I can't blame God for my bad choices. I can't blame God for evil just because others choose to reject good. I cannot blame God for natural disasters in a violent world.

I expect violence from nature. I expect consequences to my choices. I try to avoid becoming a victim to other's choices. I blame God for none of these.

God is good. Satan, now that’s a whole different story.