Sterling Griggs

It has been said that there are two things that you don't talk about in mixed company: religion and politics.  You can talk about relationships, you can gossip incessantly, and you can crack foul jokes.  But nothing ruins a social get together like someone with an opinion, right? But what can be said and taught when the body of Christ meets together for regular worship and Bible study?  Once we get past all the "God bless you, brother!" and "Great to see you! How's your family?" comments, do we stay in church-speak mode or do we truly seek to address kingdom issues?  There was movie I once saw (can't remember the name of it) where one of the characters would whisper certain words that were either taboo or super serious.  This specific character knew a friend who was sick with cancer, so whenever she discussed her friend's illness she would whisper the "c word" instead of saying it out loud. There's simply too much whispering going o...

"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) It's hard for me to sit in one place for too long.  Even if I have time to settle down to watch a ball game (which is rare), I often get up multiple times during the game to do this or that.  I don't believe I have ADD or anything like that, it's just that there are so many things that run through my mind that I can't just let them sit there without dealing with them. Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to sit on our deck with my wife under a beautiful moonlit night and do absolutely nothing.  The kids were in bed, the weather was perfect, and we both had cups of hot chai in our hands.  My iPod was playing background music and as we sat basking in the moon's glow, we watched as Jupiter followed the moon across the sky.  We talked about life, work, family, dreams, the beach, and faith.  Our hearts were full of God's peace as we sat there together, in the stillness of God's creative glory.  ...

There are many things that I have experience that have been so life-altering I probably will never get over them.  One is having open heart surgery in 1996 at the tender age of 26.  My wedding day in 1999 was perhaps one of the most joyful and overwhelming days ever.  The birth of each one of my children was incredible, but there is nothing like witnessing (and even assisting) in the birth of your first child. Then there is my relationship with Jesus Christ.  I was five years old when I understood that the gospel was for me.  I repented of my sin, placed my trust in Christ, and started on a journey of faith and obedience.  During these past 35 years there have been many ups and downs for me spiritually, yet God has been faithful to me and has granted me His grace and mercy continuously even though I've done nothing to deserve it. To be honest, most of the life-altering experiences I've had haven't bowled me over on a daily basis.  Just writing thes...

Today is a glasses day for me.  I woke up this morning with a mild case of conjunctivitis and therefore contacts were not an option.  I've had sight issues since high school but it wasn't until my late 20's that the need for corrective lenses became pretty drastic.  Contacts soon became an option for me and they are my first choice because sometimes glasses just get in the way.  However, my contacts don't always give me the vision that I want.  If my eyes are dry or one of the contacts slips out of place, contacts cause my vision to be blurry.  And if I try to drive late at night with my contacts in, I honestly can't see too hot.  When I wear my glasses, I see things so much clearer, even though they aren't always the most exciting things for me to put before my eyes. Our sight will always be clearer if the Bible is the first thing that we bring before our eyes each day.  I have stacks of books that I plan on reading (eventually), yet I cannot...

In the past I was not afraid to mix it up over theological issues even if I could barely support what I believed. You could call it ignorance or arrogance, I call it immaturity. Now that I have matured with a little age on me, I see the need to refrain from engaging in silly arguments over theological minutia that really don't amount to a hill of beans at the end of the day. If it's a major issue - such as the divinity of Christ or salvation by grace alone - I'll die on that hill. But I won't fight to save a dirt heap that could blow away in a strong wind. There is an area of theology that has been steadily creeping up in its intensity. It is the age old argument of Calvinism versus Arminianism and it basically consists of whether or not salvation is completely a sovereign act of God or if we have any choice in the matter. I think most Bible believing Christians would agree that man cannot save himself and that salvation comes from God alone. Yet within these two...