5 results for tag: Matters of the Heart

Women of the Testaments – Steve Orr

Matters of the Heart The Women of the Old Testament: To put it mildly, overall, the Law of the Old Testament does not exactly treat women well. The exceptions are few. The curse of the domineering male from the fall in Eden not only continues through much of the Old Testament, but it also becomes a significant part of the Law. Women were excluded from education, worship services, and public discourse; their rights were few, opportunities for personal advancement were nil at best. Under the Law of Moses, the utter subjugation of women was intentional and enforced by the rule of law. As a result, women were less than second-class citizens...

Our Spiritual Fork In the Road – Steve Orr

The religious mind is sin-conscious. This malady of the mind comes from the snake bite of "sin-management"—We were never intended to be a sin-conscious child of God. Sin-management is the primary strategy of the false god of religion and a self-destructive “navel-gazing” practice, the only fruit of which is either self-righteousness or self-loathing. One ingredient in the cure for this disease begins with a proper understanding of what sin is. Note John the Baptist’s exclamation upon seeing Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).” John refers to sin in the singular, not an exhaustive ...

Finding Home – Steve Orr

Matters of the Heart includes home—After all, “Home is where the heart is.” Jesus and Shakespeare agree: Jesus’ most compelling parable was about the prodigal who left home and then returned to his father; and Shakespeare said, “Home is the most powerful word in the English language.” Have you ever awakened from a dream about being lost? Away from home? The chances are that almost everyone reading this has. What does this mean?—You're a normal human. But the question remains, what’s lurking under the covers of our weird dreams? There's a mystery to them which often touches on the supernatural, as explored in popular culture ...

The Bright Morning Star – Steve Orr

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16) For me, the Bright Morning Star is a fantastic metaphor for the coming of a new day. Who brings this new day to our hearts? Jesus. When Jesus says He is the Bright Morning Star, he says… I am your new day! With me, you get a new start. Yes, it's the dawning of a new day of creation, for morning has broken like the first morning. Behold, I make all things new! I am your daily shining light who overwhelms all the darkness of your past. Prepare your hearts, for my Kingdom has ...

Jesus Jujitsu – Steve Orr