Theology – Page 32

March 22, 2020February 15, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Let’s Dance

By Linda Tancs

Television shows like Dancing With The Stars introduce us to the beauty of various dance forms, like the tango, foxtrot and quickstep. Watching the professional dancers navigate the dance floor is inspiring. Is your “dance” with life that beautiful? It takes practice, like the contestants show us.

Which steps do you need to practice? Reconciliation (Romans 12:18)? Honor (Romans 13:7)? Love (1 Corinthians 13)? Faith (Matthew 17:20)?

Keep dancing.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

March 15, 2020March 12, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Pandemic Peace

By Linda Tancs

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a desirable attribute at every turn. Think how different the world would be if we experienced a pandemic of peace. We always need peace, especially now in the midst of the health pandemic known as coronavirus, or COVID-19. Anxiety, fear and economic uncertainty rise with every new case. When those emotions (and plenty more) seize your heart and mind, think of the story of the disciples in the boat with Jesus during a storm. The moment that a furious squall whipped over the Sea of Galilee, they were in full-throttle panic mode. Then they woke a sleeping Jesus to pronounce their imminent demise, much to His chagrin. Notwithstanding their lack of faith (and peace), he calmed the waters (Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; and Luke 8:22–25).

If nothing else, the disciples learned that God was on their side. That’s the essence of peace. If He is for us, then who, or what, can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Keep your peace, and share it with others. Also pray for the recovery of those who are affected by this virus.

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March 8, 2020February 15, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Let the Darlings Go

By Linda Tancs

In the world of fiction writing, an oft-used expression is “kill your darlings.” It generally means to delete any aspect of your story that, notwithstanding your fondness of it, does not advance the narrative. It’s an agonizing process, particularly if you’ve grown attached to a certain plot twist, character quirk or whatever the case may be.

You may not be a writer, but you undoubtedly have darlings of your own that do not advance the narrative of your life. Maybe you can’t let go of a friend’s broken promise or a colleague’s betrayal. Do you feed on 40-year-old regrets like a hungry child? Is there too much focus on your backstory and not enough forward action? That’s like a book that no one would want to read. Throw out the script that’s hindering you and move forward (Hebrews 12:1; Ecclesiastes 3:6).

It’s time to let your darlings go. Improve your story.

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March 1, 2020February 15, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Rules

By Linda Tancs

American poet Mary Oliver wrote, “Even paradise must have rules.” How right she was. After all, God did impose a rule in the Garden of Eden. He told Adam that he could eat of every tree in the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). Well, we know how that turned out.

In our own world, we recognize that community rules are integral to an ordered society. We even impose rules on ourselves. I’ll only eat dessert on weekends. I’ll walk 40 minutes each day. Calls will be returned within 24 hours. But, of course, rules are broken. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). The remedy is prayer. In fact, Paul exhorts us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That may sound impossible, but it really isn’t. Every thought can be a form of prayer, a resolution to live out the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Which rules are you breaking? Pray over it so that, in time, you’ll mount up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31) and soar above the tendency to break the rules.

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February 23, 2020January 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Let Him In

By Linda Tancs

“Let ‘Em In” is a song written and sung by Paul McCartney with his band, Wings. It’s about real and imagined friends and relatives of McCartney who knock on the door or ring the bell of his house and he exclaims, “Let ‘em in.” Unlike some of the lyrics of this popular song, there’s nothing imagined about God calling. Indeed, He reminds us that He stands at the door and knocks, waiting for you to answer (Revelation 3:20). He’s the best house guest you could ever want because He’ll live year-round, and always, in your heart (Ephesians 3:17).

He’s knocking at your door right now. Will you let Him in?

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February 16, 2020January 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Ninja Warriors

By Linda Tancs

Ninjas are all the rage. It began years ago with Ninja Turtles. Now it’s the TV franchise, Ninja Warrior. It’s inspirational to watch the athletic, ninja-like abilities of contestants on shows like American Ninja Warrior.

Well, imagine those kinds of ninja abilities in the spiritual realm. In fact, Scripture lists a series of supernatural abilities doled out to believers as the Spirit determines—things like the ability to prophesy, discern good from evil, heal or speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Sounds like a ninja warrior to me. Will you accept the call?

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February 9, 2020January 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Stay Interested

By Linda Tancs

Publius Syrus was an ancient writer. The saying “a rolling stone gathers no moss” is attributed to him. He also said, “We are interested in others when they are interested in us.” That’s as true today as it was in ancient times. After all, don’t we tend to shower attention on those who behave favorably toward us? However, the Bible exhorts us to love those who hate us, to act outside your social circle (Matthew 5:43-48). How can we ever build relationships and understanding if we don’t treat everyone like the friendly next-door neighbor or a good friend? Be neighborly (Luke 10:29-37). It doesn’t matter if they’re interested.

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February 2, 2020January 20, 2020 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Free to Be Me

By Linda Tancs

A well-known spiritual thinker once remarked, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” The apostle Paul would’ve doubtless agreed (1 Corinthians 4:3). Yet how often do we agonize over what others think of us. How often do you ponder whether others approve of your personal or professional choices or direction? Imagine how freeing it is to be independent of the thoughts, actions and opinions of other people toward you. Now there’s a liberty worth pursuing.

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January 26, 2020December 21, 2019 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Go With the Flow

By Linda Tancs

Do you often “go with the flow?” It’s a common expression and a common occurrence, generally related to accepting a situation. Sometimes, that’s a good thing, like forgoing your own individual interest in favor of the desires of another or of a group—for instance, letting someone else pick the restaurant or the movie. In other scenarios, it’s not such a good thing, akin to following an angry mob. The consequences can be harsh, like ignoring the blight of social injustice or showing the kind of insensitivity that many social media posts represent.

Spiritually speaking, to go with the flow is to keep in the way and the will of God, not man. (1 John 4:4). Don’t get caught in an undertow (Ephesians 2:1-2).

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January 19, 2020December 21, 2019 goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

The Heart-Mouth Connection

By Linda Tancs

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the title character says, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” You may not agree with that sentiment, but it does highlight a biblical principle—namely, not all thoughts are pleasing to God. That’s why we’re admonished to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Otherwise, the bad thoughts will make their way into your heart and come out of your mouth (Matthew 12:33-34). You are what you think (Proverbs 23:7). Would others view you differently if they knew what you were thinking?

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