Faith Explored Posts

Hinduism and Christianity have core differences regarding who we are and where we are going. Are all people equal, or are we consigned to a system of higher and lower castes and worse? When we die, do we live on in a spiritual realm or are we forced to return to earth for additional cycles of life? These differences are central, not trivial.

It’s Back to School time for all of us, no matter how young or old we are. Everyone is invited to learn in the classroom of the greatest teacher the world has ever known: Jesus. How do we do that? His lesson plan is ready. We just need to show up.

There is no sacrifice you can make that will appease God. Fortunately, unlike the Greek gods, that’s not what God wants. The Bible has a much more surprising view of sacrifice. Will you join in, unite with God, and be a member of his team?

God allows bad things to happen – not because he wills or desires evil but because he believes so strongly in giving us free will. But he doesn’t stop there. He invites us to cooperate with him and allow him to bring good out of evil.

God sustains the universe even though bad things sometimes happen. Instead of ordering everything to happen by decree, he shows us his perfect will – what he desires to see happen – and permits people to respond by doing good or evil by their own free will. These are all facets of God’s “will.”

Many things might happen if humans encounter intelligent creatures from another world. Films and books have rarely considered how our spiritual nature and theirs might affect the outcome. Our track record is not good.

Would the revelation that aliens exist be a challenge to the Christian faith? In his new film “Disclosure Day,” Steven Spielberg ponders this question. A nun in the movie offers a clear answer.

The answer might surprise you. The first person to explicitly call Jesus “God” was someone who is better remembered for his doubt, not for his belief. But he is the first person every quoted calling Jesus “God” – and it happened 1,992 years ago.

One of my students asked me, “Mr. Faletti, how do you stay so calm?” I responded that “I know the end of the story.” “What do you mean?” the students asked. "How do you know the end of the story?" The answer begins with Easter.

In junior high, I used to shoot 100 free throws a day but could never make more than 57 shots. Elite athletes pour their heart and soul into the pursuit of excellence. What can we learn from them as we pursue our goals?

Last week’s SpaceX rocket launch was awe-inspiring because engineers and scientists spent years using their gifts and talents to achieve an amazing goal. When we use the curiosity, creativity, and intellect that God placed in us at our creation, to do good, it is awesome and can bring glory to God, even if that is not our intention.

We face 3 common temptations: to fill our wants inappropriately, to seek inordinate attention, and to pursue power at the cost of integrity. They lure our public figures. How do you respond when they entice you?

As I looked at my friend’s body, the message was clear: Your days are numbered; use the time you have well. It’s a lesson that applies both to our personal lives and to our professional lives.

The “wise men” of the Christmas story are foreigners who travel from another country to see Jesus and are welcomed by the Holy Family. But these wise men are part of a much bigger story that Matthew is telling in his Gospel. What is Matthew's bigger point, and how do the wise men fit into it?

My Christmas cactus didn’t bloom for years. When it did, I learned some lessons about having patience and not judging others.

How much good news can you capture in just 8 notes? Take a look at this video to see. Then ask yourself: What are the “pauses” in your life that are needed between the notes, to help the good news sound clearly?

People have learned many things that aren’t true about the birth of Jesus – from Christmas carols, movies, and other sources. See if you can identify what the Bible actually says about Christmas.

If you were God and had just done something amazing, who would you tell? God told shepherds: today's garbage collectors, janitors, maids, dishwashers, delivery drivers, and farmers. He has a message for them and us today.

Most people love a good love story – in movies and plays, in literature and books. But many people don’t realize that the greatest love story in the history of the world is celebrated every year – and YOU are in the story!

God loves you more than the birds, more than the moon and stars, more than you can imagine. Listen to Matthew West as he expresses these truths in his powerful song “More.” Then accept and embrace God's love, and shine brightly.