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Everything on this earth has a spiritual significance. Every spiritual truth has an earthly application. But understanding the intricacies of transubstantiation does not necessarily help when your son cleans his paintbrushes on the cat. The Take Away is an attempt to find out just what wisdom God has given us to comfort harassed felines—as well as what effect the belief of transubstantiation has on the relationship between Protestants and Catholics. Surprisingly, time and time again, the answer is "love each other." Not sentimental, sappy love, but intentional, hard, ever-redeeming agape love. Like God loves us.
Sometimes, however, God hides His love in the strangest places. In a series of sixty-six books that describe His role in human history. In a piece of bone, wrapped in a leather thong, thrown across the back of an innocent Man. In the thistles that threaten to overtake Colorado lawns everywhere. God reveals Himself in direct commands, like "Love your neighbor," and in the metaphorical parables of Jesus. And in peanut butter sandwiches, one of the greatest metaphors of all.
The Take Away is written by Kersley Fitzgerald, writer, drafter, former Air Force officer, wife, mother, horrible surfer, and lover of corn candy.
To read one of her own metaphors, click here.
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A house. A bike. A car. Relationships. Joy. Whatever our loss, God can restore it 100-fold.
Read more... Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
Childlike faith isn't to expect God to immediately give us what we ask for. It's to immediately and always have faith in God.
Read more...Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
First Corinthians 10:31 says we should do all to the glory of God. How do we accept another's 'all' when it is completely counter to our own convictions?
Read more...Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
The new Common Core State Standards Initiative seem to encourage schools to de-emphasize literature and concentrate more on non-fiction information writing. How would this affect readers' understanding of the greatest piece of literature ever—the Bible?
Read more...Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
Jesus laid out exactly how we are to confront another believer with sin. It's a system designed to create healing and restoration. Abusive or ignored church discipline humiliates and shames the innocent and forsakes the guilty.
Read more...Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
Before equal pay and NOW and sexual harassment, the feminist movement was about protecting women. A huge part of that was driven by the need to protect women from abortion. Feminists for Life wants to get back to those roots.
Read more...Written by Kersley Fitzgerald
We all like to think we'd be the Good Samaritan, but do we take the time to learn what to do when the need arises?
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Jason Russell, Greg Mortenson, and Ted Haggard claimed to dedicate their lives to helping others but lost credibility when the truth came to light. What happened and how should we respond?
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Christopher Dorner's resolutions were mostly logical, objective, and well thought out. He was quick to protect the weak and praise those he respected—while not being blind to their faults and shortcomings. His downfall was that all of these views were motivated by the preservation of his own honor. — Read more...
Christopher Dorner was an LAPD officer who claimed he was relieved of duty after he reported another officer for excessive force in 2007. After repeated attempts to maintain his honor, frustrated with losing his job, and watching those he considered to be less honorable receiving accolades and promotions, Dorner went on the offense. — Read more...
One of the virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman strikes me: she makes sure her household is fed. I work full time all year; part of the year, I work a second, part-time job; plus I have two volunteer positions. Even if I had time to fix dinner, I wouldn't have the energy. Fortunately, what Proverbs 31 does not say is that a virtuous woman spends an hour every night making dinner and then another hour every morning making lunches and breakfasts. — Read more...
The belief that everyone can change makes a difference in the way we relate to others. It changes the aggressor from a two-dimensional demon into a real flesh-and-blood creation of God. Corrupt, but still the image of God. How can we really own this belief?
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The 2012 movie "Silver Linings Playbook" shows that in hard circumstances, almost any action can feel appropriate. The crazy things we do almost always make sense in the moment. If we do the right things, the world says, it'll all work out. But that's very far from the truth.
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Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, and we fall for it. The glare can blind us. But if we look from the perspective of God's worldview, we can see beyond the glitz and glamour, success and fame, money and popularity. Seeing the world from God's perspective alerts us to the dangers the enemy has set up to destroy us.
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Allow grieving friends the grace to verbalize and manifest what they are feeling. Even the most spiritual person has physical and emotional limits. Acknowledge that even unreasonable responses are legitimate in that moment. It takes time for God to work healing into a person's heart. Don't expect more from your friend than God does.
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The Bible doesn't condone laziness, of course (Proverbs 13:4). We should all do what we can. But what if there's an underlying physical problem that one cannot see from the outside? How do we love the person who is sick and tired but never looks like it?
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Most everyone has intrusive thoughts at some point— nasty little ideas that pop up out of nowhere. As disturbing as they can feel, they're very common and don't necessarily mean anything serious. Random thoughts are not sin, although they may become so if we dwell on them. So how can we get rid of them?
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Supporters of Got Questions Ministries have sacrificed $5 to $5,000 and beyond. No matter what the amount, we are open to and appreciative of any donations we receive. Kersley Fitzgerald works behind the scenes with donations and wants to share a few little-known secrets.
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Is it blasphemy for a business to use "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Is it better to stop hypocritically using Jesus to sell shirts? Or it is far more important overall to promote the welfare of employees, contractors, and suppliers than to validate any particular religion?
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We live in an unreasonable world, and we find it hard to remember how much people matter to God and how little our earthly lives really mean. Jonah did it. Paul did it. But how? How does God prioritize the needs of His people?
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We have made an idol out of the good life. We have far more luxuries than our families did 100 years ago. Bigger houses, more cars, electronics in every corner. But if we are citizens of Heaven, why are we holding so tightly to what we will leave behind?
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The fact that God knows what is going to happen or what has happened has nothing to do with our right to choose. God allows us to make decisions within the context of the world He created. Read two illustrations to explain the reality of an omnipotent God and the reality of our free will.
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Christian culture says a woman's greatest role is to get married, have babies, and stay at home. But when that doesn't pan out, does that mean she has failed? One woman discovered that God had something planned that was far beyond the Christian culture's demands.
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Worldwide, execution has been the standard punishment for blasphemy. Blasphemy against God is prevalent in media. Of the Ten Commandments, three relate to blasphemy (Exodus 20). But what is it and what does it mean to blaspheme?
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Which relationships do you value? Does celebrity affect where you place your friendship value? What if you knew inspiring writers, charismatic musicians, or famous actors? Where would they fall in the ladder of important relationships?
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When we try to analyze the issue of how salvation works, everything gets twisted. Maybe if we come at it from a different angle we can see that from where we stand, it doesn't have to be that complicated.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V
This New York Times Bestseller is a very personal book written in the midst of struggle. Because of that, it is messy, but it's also passionate and honest.
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For the Christian couple who can't afford the wedding of their dreams, can't keep their pants on, and are absolutely committed to their relationship, there's a decision to be made.
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Who needs to learn bravery in Disney Pixar's anti-princess princess film 'Brave'? It might not be who you're thinking.
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I think both computer language and computer-based interaction are creating a disconnect between modern readers and the metaphorical language of the Bible.
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God as coach - what can we learn about God from an athletic coach? What does a coach/athlete relationship have in common with the God/Christian relationship?
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What is the purpose of college? A Pew Research Center report found that 47% of those polled believe the purpose of college is to be trained for a job, 39% believe it is for personal development, and 12% say it is for both.
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In a former life, Charley was an Army helicopter pilot. His wife Martie was a specialist in the aircraft maintenance database system we actually used when I was a maintenance officer. Now they're helping to rebuild lives destroyed by natural disasters. The Pathfinder Mission.
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I am not sufficient to meet all the needs I see around me. I'm not even sufficient to live my own life! But God is sufficient and He can show me which race I'm supposed to be running. I know He'll carry me. But there is no need for me to run what He hasn't given me. He's got it covered.
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A slave owner said that his slaves are not paid because they are part of the land. How often do we allow our lives and minds to become a part of this world because of slavery of the mind?
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Everyone around us who should have been there or who we want to be there or who is there in a limited way is really just an instrument of the One Who is always there. God shows empathy for us through one another.
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The Bible tells believers to be in the world, but not of the world. Can the same thing be applied to the philosophy of the church in its outreach ministries? Is outreach the best way for the church to be in the world but not of the world?
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Is the birth control pill a good, safe option for women? Hormonal contraceptives have some side-effects that many doctors don't think are valid. But your friends may have stories that will prove otherwise.
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The character of Ela is by turns familiar, inspiring, and convicting. She's a prophet, but she still has doubt, fear, and a wicked temper. She learns how to listen to Him and obey even when it's really hard. For the unbeliever, it's a great picture of God's love and grace.
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The Once Upon a Time TV show is about a group of fantasy characters who are leading double lives in the real world. There is drama, action and romance, plus a few Christian parallels.
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To the world, when a Muslim high school student kills his Christian teacher, it is just another story of Muslim Christian conflict and the evils of religion. But to those involved in bringing the gospel to Muslims, it represents a risk worth taking.
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Scientific modeling is so ingrained in the science culture that it's rarely mentioned. It allows scientists to say, "This is the way it is, now and forever!" and then the next week they completely contradict themselves with absolutely no sign of irony or chagrin.
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Why is it that when we don't get what we want from God we immediately assume that He doesn't exist or isn't listening? Isn't it more likely that He is wiser than us and knows that what we want isn't the best thing for us?
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The Hunger Games. It's not a romance, I tell my friends. They're not easy. They don't have a Hollywood ending. But they're awesome, and you have to read them. They are rich with meaning. They take work.
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What roles do women in ministry take on? Is there any one "right ministry" for women to do? Our different talents and abilities make the church stronger. Women in ministry don't all have to be the same or do the same types of activities.
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How old is the earth? Bible records are clear that the earth is relatively young. But scientists say the earth is very old. And theologians are stuck in the middle.
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Our personal stories make us who we are. Sometimes we can choose those stories. Sometimes we can't. But God has a much bigger story planned, and we are all called to be heroes.
Start here...
Some atheists have started comparing belief in God to a virus—a foreign pathogen that infects people and makes them lose the ability to think clearly. Is this a scientific description? Or are the atheists the attackers?
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There is a point where the protection of our daughters slides into control, whether we be in a patriarchy cult or a group of mutant super heroes. Gifts should be used for the good of the group, not managed into something safe.
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The best science fiction relies on themes of the human condition, sometimes unintentionally. Is abortion wrong? A story about an android can help us understand. Is sin scary? As scary as a scene from Alien.
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What is faith that moves mountains? How can we trust God when we don't know where He is going? And what do stars and dragons have to do with all this?
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Calvinism says God predestines those He will save. That's His business. Our business is to be a light to the world. As Amy and the Doctor discovered in their quest to save Vincent van Gogh, it's not always easy to reconcile the two.
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How do free will and sovereignty work together? Do we really have free will? With all the crossed timelines and fixed points in time, the Doctor could probably empathize.
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God created the universe, the world, and us, and His presence touches everything we do. Even science fiction can teach us about understanding the eternal God and the dangers of presuming we know the future.
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Men and women are to help each other through difficulties and encourage each other to stay close to God. That's incredibly difficult when dealing with a sin that involves so much fear, condemnation and shame. We can't help each other out of sexual sin if we refuse to talk.
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Homes for sex trafficking victims are few and far between. But they're absolutely essential for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Girls need clothes, toiletries, beds, school supplies, and food. But most of all, they need Christ's love through us.
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Broken bones, PTSD, drug addictions, extreme anxiety, guilt, trauma-bonds—it's amazing how similar victims of trafficking are to POWs.
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God equipped the church with certain skills. The church is the way in which He chooses to interact with the world today. It is our job to be on the front lines.
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There is no intrinsic, human difference between one individual and another. What do you see when you look at a trafficked person?
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Woman, the last and best of God's creation. What happened to turn her into a semi-useful appliance? How has sin affected womanhood and how women experience life? How does Christ restore her?
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"She chose it." "She's a drug addict." "She could just quit." What if she didn't choose? What if she's forced to do drugs? What if she knows if she quits she'll be killed? What if she needs our help?
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When we think about slavery, we think people in fields, working for no pay and living in squalor. That's still true. But they could also be your hotel housekeeper. Welcome to the world of labor trafficking.
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This world preys on the innocent—always has and always will. We now have the opportunity to fight back and work to free the millions who are caught in modern-day slavery. Start here, by looking at these human trafficking statistics.
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When is a story about witches not about witches? What's the deal with Twilight, Harry Potter and all those other fantasy books? And why are those space cowboys swearing in Chinese?
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Vampires, werewolves, zombies, and octopus-wearing dirigible riders seem to be swamping popular culture lately. What's the deal with all the fantasy genres?
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We are quick to point out how seasons are like the rhythms of human life in macro. But it could be that the annual ebb and flow of life and death also illustrate how forgiveness works? How does trimming trees relate to forgiving and forgetting?
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God supports us through people, spiritually and physically. But people are not God, and when weakness strikes, we have to look to God, or we are not going to be able to help.
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Weakness and illness may be the spiritual metaphor that isn't. Our physical weakness was caused by our spiritual weakness. And we react in the same way—either in gratitude that others are able to help, or in fear that they see our vulnerability.
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Sure mules are stubborn. But if animals are metaphors, it's obvious how much we have in common with them.
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If God's purpose for this whole weird world is teach us about Him, animals have to be part of the lesson. But what metaphor can be found in a neurotic dog that pees everywhere?
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Sin requires a blood offering. The restoration of the world required the blood of a sinless man. But why the crucifixion? Why hours of torture and agony? Couldn't the God of the universe have been satisfied with something less brutal?
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Thousands of years into live on this world, and we've lost remembrance of Eden. We read about the curse on the land, but don't stop to think what it means. Weather is a living metaphor, reminding us what our sin has done.
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We try to simplify God too much. How does free will (or free-ish will) and predestination work out? At what point on a troubled soul's journey does "once saved-always saved" become "she was never saved"? Truth is, we don't know how it all works out. But we can be sure we will arrive home by nightfall.
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Many couples will be relieved to find there is no marriage in heaven. A handful of others will be greatly distressed. What if you love your spouse so much you want to be married for eternity? Won't God give you the desires of your heart?
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The rise of the suburbs was an unavoidable cultural phenomenon. Cleaner air, more room, and safer streets are all good things. But the ‘burbs also mean more work and less time. How did a new house with a yard exhaust stay-at-home moms and make dads all but disappear?
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We tend to so identify with cultural standards that they become indistinguishable from spiritual truths. A big standard in America is a house in the suburbs. When did suburbia become a virtue? And is vacuuming a spiritual discipline?
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Why does the royal wedding matter? It doesn't. Not really. Why doesn't it matter that the royal wedding doesn't matter? Because someday, that'll be us.
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