Have you ever had an experience that was ahead of your theology? Did this leave you searching the Bible for answers that matched your experience? Were you able to find them? Have you ever had theology ahead of your experience – believing things were true that you were unable to observe or experience directly? Did this leave you with a hunger to see it happen in your life? I can speak to you in many ways, including scripture and life. You can expect to find agreement between them. You can count it a blessing if your advancement in one area leads you to advance in another.

I spoke of a narrow way and a broad way, and declared that the narrow way was better, for it led to life. What do you think of as the broad way today? Have you ever been in a crowd that was moving? It is easy to move with the crowd even as it is easy to drift with the current in a river. Popular culture will provide you with easy choices for everything. It takes a strong sense of identity and purpose to make choices consistent with your own destiny. Do you know who you are and where you are going? Can you walk this path alone?

You are familiar with my commandment not to take the name of God in vain. Do you think this applies only to profane expletives? Could it have another meaning? What about those who invoke my name with intended piety, but in a way that claims a righteousness they do not possess, or to advance a self-serving interest that is not according to my will? Isn’t that as bad as using profanity to express anger or frustration they cannot otherwise articulate? What about swearing an oath to gain greater authority than a simple yes or no? Which of these is the worst form of taking my name in vain?

Do you believe that generosity is important? Do you believe that generosity can be compelled or coerced? Doesn’t that sound like a contradiction, because true generosity must be freely expressed, and if coercion or compulsion are present that extortion is a more accurate term than generosity? How does your church go about raising money? Churches have real expenses, and it is reasonable to expect the members to support them by contributions. There are many ways to go about the appeal for funds.