LifeChangeCommunity

Leaving a Life of Sin

Question

Brad, have you ever seen people completely walk away from lifestlyle choices, addictions and behaviors that are damaging and violate the wisdom and direction of God's will?

Answer

Gladly, yes.   I am one of those.  I had a period of time when my way WAS THE WAY that I would live.  My life was marked by arrogance and defiance.  I was tired of living God's way and believed that I was missing something positive and necessary, by limiting myself to His commands.  Worse, I believed God wanted me to enjoy the parts of life I believed were my right to enjoy. My way eventually led to pain, destruction and damage.    And the damage to myself wasn't the worst of it.   The damage my actions inflicted on others, the negative influence I exerted, the values I espoused all led me to a place of sorrow and repentance (turning my life back to God).

With gratitude in my heart, I can assure that God is more willing to forgive you and receive you back and help you put the pieces of your life together than you are to return to Him and humbly seek His forgiveness.  

Draw close to God and I promise you, He will draw close once again to you!

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

When Was Jesus Born?

Question

When was Jesus Born?

Answer

Simple question, but not a simple nor universally agreed upon answer.  Because we can date the reign of Herod and other events mentioned in the birth story of Jesus, most scholars have concluded that Jesus was born approximately 4 B.C.     Further, we don't know the time of year that He was born.  Some have suggested that because shepherds typically were in fields a lot at night during spring, that it may have been spring of the year.    Again, many scholars hold to the view that December 25 was chosen by Christians to bolster the worship of Christ among Roman pagans who held lavish, raucous celebrations for the god, Saturn, at that time.  Over time, the worship of Christ grew and this day is the day chosen to honor the fact that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..."

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Conversions to Muslim

Question

Do you know that if you deny Jesus you are not Muslim? Do you think that's why many Christians and Jews  are converting to Islam? Or, is it because Islam has the true book of God that was not changed to fit political needs as in the Old and the New testament? 

Answer

This is an interesting question and your perspective is clear.  First, Muslims do not acknowledge Jesus as God, but as a good prophet.  This is contradictory to the teachings of Jesus.  He declares Himself fully God.  If Jesus lied, then He is not a good prophet.  If He didn't lie, then He should be followed as God.

Regarding the scriptures, the Bible, archeology, science, historians, theologians all concur that there is an unchanging cohesiveness to the Bible that defies 'chance' and shows remarkable consistency from beginning to end.  When you take over 40 authors, over 1600 years all writing, and there is one, clear, unified message, then it takes more faith to disbelieve the Bible, than to believe it.

I would encourage you to study the claims of Jesus Himself.  Read His words.  And then ask God to reveal the truth to you.  Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  NO ONE comes to the Father, except through Me."   

Your spiritual curiosity is a very good start.   Keep seeking.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Why Black and White

Question

Brad, why are you filming this segment in black in white?

Answer

Ah, first....thanks for noticing.    It's not entirely for self-expression or artistic effect.   The series is about this holiday season where we say to one another:  "Tis the season to be jolly!"   I am adding the reality for so many hurting hearts that it is also the season to be melancholy.    The black and white effect gives the stark contrast of brights and lights and whites over and against the shadows and blacks and grays.  

It's a statement about the different ways people approach the season. 

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Praying for Enemies

Question

I get so angry at people who treat me poorly.  Does the Bible address this? 

Answer

As a matter of fact, Jesus spoke a lot about enemies.  (He had a lot of them....still does).

We are to pray for those who persecute us, and love our enemies.  Outrageous??  Seems like it.

But the truth is, praying for and loving enemies actually does US so much good.   Bitterness is washed out of our heart.  Anger diminishes.   That which is negative and destructive, is transformed into that which is positive and healing.

Your enemies may always be enemies....but your heart will remain tender and pure and joy-filled, as you lay those men and women before your Father in heaven in daily prayer.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

When Do I Stop Praying

Question

When Do I Stop Praying for things I have prayed for, for a long time?

Answer

Once we pray, no further repetition is needed.   We now can begin to thank God for Hisl goodness and trust Him when He answers.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Does the Bible Instruct Us to Celebrate Christmas?

Question

Does the Bible instruct us to celebrate Christmas?

Answer

No.   We are not instructed to do so, but it's not wrong to do so.  When Jesus was born, there was a heavenly display of angels singing.    While He was still a little child, wise men from the East came and brought Jesus Christ gifts to honor Him and celebrate His coming.   God is not displeased when we celebrate the birth of His only Son.

We are commanded, however, to remember and honor and commemorate His death, burial and resurrection.   We do this with both baptism and with communion.     So, in this holiday season, let's honor His birth, but let's make sure we know that it was His sacrificial death on our behalf, for our sins and His victory over sin and death that allows us to have forgiveness and a fresh start with God.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Angels With Free Will

Question

Do Angels Have Free Will?

Answer

This is a provacative and quite philosophical question.   If you ascribe to the origin of Lucifer (Satan, the Devil) as a fallen angel, who once led a rebellion against God in heaven, but lost and was exiled to hell, then you could could conclude that Lucifer once had a free will.

A case can be made from scripture that God allowed such freedom, but only for a pre-set, controlled period of time.  Thus, the freedom, while appearing as 'freedom,' was really quite dictated by God.

Angels are created by God, and I would say, controlled by God, OR only given such freedom as that which will accomplish God's will and/or allow God to demonstrate His power.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Brad's Sin and Recovery

Question

Brad, we know you sinned.   We also know that you have been forgiven and over a year and a half has passed since those experiences in your life.   What have you been doing to get back into full time ministry?  We miss you.

Answer

Hi.   Thanks for your question.  Though I chose a horribly heart-breaking and difficult road, I am back walking with Jesus Christ and living life seeking His leadership and will on a daily basis.  I meet with my pastor with regularity, I continue to see my Christian therapist, I have a good group of godly friends, AND God has given me the chance to begin an aspect of ministry through this website--both video and the chance to write responses to questions.

The Christian community is mixed in terms of what I might ever be allowed to do again in ministry and certainly there is no consensus on when I might ever be given opportunities.   For my part, I am walking with the Lord, serving as I can, living a life of integrity and trusting God for His timing and His open doors of service.

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]

Is the economy our country's biggest problem?

Question

Is the economy our country's biggest problem?

Answer

Absolutely not!   And as one who is suffering from an extremely perilous personal economy, I understand economic crisis.   It's my firm conviction that the current economic melt-down will become one of the biggest blessings our country has known.  In severe financial pain, people begin to prioritize, when unemployment is high, people get creative about career opportunities, when neighbors suffer, compassion runs high and when small blessings come, we thank God for each and every one, no matter how seemingly small.

To become more thankful, more focused, more compassionate and more creative.....no, this isn't a bad thing for us (though it feels very bad at the moment).

Please send your questions about God, the Bible, faith and your requests for advice to: [email protected]