Modern Legalism:

You have heard that it said 'you can't change someone.'

I say that it's the only way anyone has ever changed.

I recently struck up an e-mail correspondence with my aunt, Robbi. Upon finding out that I was a Christian, she said "please do not try to convert me."

Should I honor her request?

Can God both forgive and repay?

How can the following verses be reconciled:

1) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12

2) Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. Rev. 22:12.

Both these ideas are major teachings of the entire Bible, both that God forgives our sins and repays people according to their deeds.

How does this work?

Thorns and weeds

I've noticed during the past several years how much the worries of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth have had the power to choke out spiritual growth. When I was younger and had fewer concerns, fewer wordly responsibilities, fewer financial issues, I felt much more like good soil upon which the Word of God could grow into a bountiful crop. Now it's a struggle.

What I'd like to hear about is ideas on how to beat back the incursions into my life of these unwanted crops.