When did we Christians decide to hyphenate? In Acts 11:26 we read, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Why Antioch? Well, it was one of the early congregations formed of both Jew and Gentile. It pleased God to unite them with a common designation: “Christian”. ("Called”, as it is used here, has a divine connotation.)

The hyphenation of Christianity reared its ugly head decades later in Corinth. Paul chastised this congregation for dividing under labels of men. Were he alive today, I suppose he would also chastise us who call ourselves after good dead men.

Jesus prayed in John 17 that all his disciples become one. He prayed that we be known by our love. Why is love not sufficient? Why do we prefer instead to be known by our doctrinal stances or denominational affiliation?

I can't believe that Jesus is pleased when we dissect his body into hyphenated labels! But, that’s just me. I've always had a distaste for things that divide my family.

He was named after my father. I was named after his. Our fathers were twin brothers. He and I grew up like brothers. He was his father’s only son.

He loved life and loved people. People were naturally attracted to him. He was very charismatic. We all thought he would go far.

He spent his childhood summers in our home. We fished, rode horses, and roamed the woods together. He was always into mischief. He was a typical boy. He was a fearless daredevil. He would try anything, at least once. Mother had to constantly discipline him. In our home, he always tested Mom's boundaries. He demanded Mother's constant attention and discipline. She treated him like her son. In fact, I think sometimes she was tougher on him than her four boys! She was very tough on us! LOL! But, any time his parents left town and he needed a place to stay, he begged to stay with his Aunt. He knew Mom loved him.

When he graduated high school he moved in with me. I was a couple years older. I lived and worked in a nearby town. He was like a wild horse that had been let out of a pen. He had a pretty sheltered life as a minister’s son. He couldn’t wait to experience all life had to offer. It didn’t take him long to find the local party crowd. He got heavily involved in drug and alcohol abuse. His father found out and cut him off from the family. His father was disappointed in him because he knew better. He expected no less from his Dad. He knew his Dad loved him.

At summer's end, he made full amends. He came back to a local church where the family worshipped and confessed his sins. He left the party lifestyle. He gave up the drugs and alcohol. He asked for prayers and was accepted back into the family. He made up with his Dad. He came to me one evening and outlined his plans. He would move back home and accept his Dad’s offer to enter the family business. He would settle down. He would live the Christian life, seriously and responsibly. He was three months out of high school and already a man.

He died that next evening in an automobile accident on his way home.

We miss you, W. Tell your father and my mother, “Hello.” See you all soon.

She walked in off the streets. She was carrying a small child and a wounded heart. She sat down and spilled her sad story. After she finished I asked her, “How can I help?”

“I’m tired of the fighting in my relationships,” she said, “I’m tired of living like this. I need help. I can’t go on another day. Can you help?”

“Well,” I admitted, “I’ve never fixed a relationship yet. I’ve never fixed a person. I’ve never fixed a life. But, I know someone who can.”

Without God, we are powerless over some addictions and compulsions, or some situations. God waits for us to ask for help. He moves toward us as we move toward him. He is made strong in weakness. He alone can conquer the penalty and power of sin in our lives. He provides what the world cannot. He offers supernatural help and healing.

One day Jesus asked his closest disciples, “Who do others say that I am?" They gave him various responses. Then he asked the real question. “Who do you say I am?” Peter makes a great statement.

“You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”

Jesus responded with:

“Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you but my Father which is in heaven.”

Some things only God can reveal. Hearts, only God can heal.

He healed hers.

I am often asked, “How are you able to discern the promptings that come from deep within? How do you know whether it is from God, Satan or merely your conscience?”

There is a gift of discernment. Some have it. Some say I have it. I’m not sure. I think I learned to discern. I discovered first how to study and interpret the Bible properly. I needed that to have an accurate picture of Jesus and the heavenly Father. Then, I began a personal journey to know God intimately and how he works. This was a long walk down the path with God, spending time with him. Finally, God sent spiritual mentors at just the right time. They taught and exampled spiritual discernment. I offer a few tests and suggestions.

No one can confess Jesus as Lord unless the Spirit of God is present in that person. If I or others get the prompt to do anything glorifying to Jesus Christ, it is from God. The devils believe and tremble but will not confess. They are the opposition! LOL! They will never oppose themselves! LOL! A prompt to express verbal faith and allegiance to Jesus comes directly from the Holy Spirit. You are blessed if you can confess! LOL!

Watch the end result. A prompting from God leads to good. Satan does not oppose himself. He employs counterfeit signs and deception but not for good. The fruit of the action tells you a lot. If peace, joy, and love result then trust it is from God. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights.

Ask yourself, “Is this prompting me to do something I could achieve naturally?” God prompts me toward what is unnatural for my flesh. My flesh is weak. God is made strong in my weakness. He empowers me in areas where I am weak. For example, I have a tendency to protect my reputation. My flesh does all it can to keep me appearing competent before others, at all times. To confess a weakness publicly does not come natural for me. Yet, often when speaking publicly, God prompts me to relate a story that is not complimentary of me but brings glory to him. This isn’t my natural self. This comes from God. It is intended to keep me humble, dependent on him, and in submission (i.e., Paul’s thorn in the flesh.) Also if a prompting delivers me from a lifelong habit, obsession, or compulsion, I can be confident that it is from God.

If you do not have spiritual discernment then ask God for it. The Spirit distributes gifts to whom he wishes as he wishes. But it doesn't hurt to ask! LOL! If he chooses not to grant it to you, then surround yourself with those who have the gift. Ask their advice when prompted. Otherwise, learn to discern like I did and everyone else who doesn’t have the gift. Use trial and error with each prompting. You will make a lot of mistakes but if you learn from each mistake then you will soon be discerning correctly. May God bless you as you seek him and learn to discern spiritual prompts.

Father, protect us from the evil one.

Mother was abandoned as a child. Father discovered her in a field in the blood of her birth. He took her home and reared her as his own. She grew up with servants. She lacked nothing. Father clothed her in the finest apparel and the loveliest jewelry. She had a happy home. She grew into a lovely woman.

Father adored her as a child. He loved her as a woman. They married and had a son. Father grew in his love for her. Mother grew in her desire for others.

She entertained lovers in their home. She hid not her affairs from father. When she had affairs with the neighbors father forced mother to make a choice, him or them. She chose her loves and refused him. So father divorced her. He forced her to leave home and live with her lovers. She exchanged one lover for another until her youth and beauty were gone.

One day as an old woman she stood before her lovers. They desired her no more. They mocked her. She no longer had anything they desired. A face appeared among them and pushed all aside. He came to take her back. He came to take her home. He was father.

“I’ll take her," he said, "I have always loved her. I love her still. Come home, Mother. Leave all your lovers and come home.”

She returned with father.

Upon her arrival she discovered father planned to leave all to their son. Her son loved her also. He refused her nothing. Yet, she refused him. She refused his love. She plotted and had him killed.

Father raised him from death. He gave him ALL authority. Mother refused him still. She refused his authority. Father forced Mother from home for the final time. He abandoned the house and had it burned to the ground. It lies in ruin. He lives now with his son in a new home with the son’s new bride. Mother fights her neighbors over the old home place. She believes father will return if she can repossess the homeland and rebuild the old house.

Mother, come home. We are here with your son, our elder brother, Jesus. Please come home! Father awaits. He loves you so. He loves you still.