By Mike Peek

“For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” (Mal. 2:16, NASB)  Pic (hecendorfer.com) The Jews of Malachi’s day had a certain understanding of marriage and divorce, but not God’s; God spoke through Malachi to correct their thinking, Malachi likely wrote between 470 and 460 B.C. 1  The Jews of Jesus day had a certain understanding of marriage and divorce, but not God’s; Jesus being the Word of God corrected their thinking. It is my intention to give a clear Biblical presentation on the Christian doctrine of marriage. The apostle Paul tells us to not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed of mind (Rom. 12:2) and James tells us that friendship with the world makes us an enemy of God. (Jas. 4:4) Therefore, it is imperative that we know and understand what God has to say about marriage, because divorce rates in our s...

Today I write with a broken heart an open-letter to my nursing colleague, friend and I hope, brother in Christ William Davis, RN. Will has been accused of murder and was arrested on April 11, 2018. I write this as an open-letter because this has become an open-matter. Will Davis and Family Copied from Facebook Dear Will, I miss your smiles and your jovial laughter on our nursing unit. I first meet you about 5 years ago in the spring of 2013. My wife met you before I did; I remember her telling me, “I met a guy in orientation who is going to work on your unit, he is so excited to work on your unit and is real fun.” From that time on you were usually laughing and all smiles. Often times you brought a bag of candy to work, because of this, and your jovial laughter I nicknamed you the Candyman and would even sing in your presences, “Who can make the sun rise and cover it with cheer…the Candyman can, the Candyman can because he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good.”...

It is my position that human life begins at conception and ends at death; all human life is sacred and should be cared for and protected from any beast or man seeking to end human life. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gn. 1:1, NASB) On day three of His creation God brought forth vegetation on the earth. On day five God created the life in the seas and the birds in the air. On day six God created all the living creatures moving on the earth. Lastly, God created man. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gn. 1:27, NASB) Since all life was created by God, all life belongs to God; therefore, God has sole authority over all life except when He gives authority to a steward. The Hebrew word סָכַן sakan is translated into English steward; סָכַן sakan means, to be of use or service. God created man (male and female) in His image to be of use or service to Him. The first question and answer given i...

I do not think that there is any such thing as euthanasia, though there are many who say that there is; I think that the actual definition of euthanasia demonstrates my point. The Feinbergs said that “euthanasia” comes from two Greek words that combine to mean good death. 1 Is death ever good? Man was created by God, in the image of God, male and female. (Gn.1:28) Death became part of the creation because of human sin. (cf. Gn.3:14-19, Rom.5:12) Death therefore is inevitable; (cf. Heb.9:27) we can do nothing to stop it, but death is also an enemy. (cf. 1 Cor.15:26, NASB) Do you embrace your enemies? I am currently in my 21 st year as a Registered Nurse. I have spent almost my entire career working in an intensive care unit. I’m certified as a Critical Care RN (CCRN). I have probably witnessed over 1000 deaths during my career and I assure you that there are no good deaths. Some are more horrific than others, but none are good. “Approximately 20% of deaths in the United States...

From Dr. Branch Power Point This past week I started Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have decided to take a break from formal study during the summer to spend time with my wife; therefore, Christian Ethics will be my last class until the fall semester kicks off. Last week I learned a great deal; in a lecture given by Dr. J. Alan Branch, professor of Christian Ethics. Dr. Branch gave us a seven-step process for making ethical decisions. It is a great process; therefore, I want to share it with you today. How do you currently make decisions? There are two ways in which people make decisions. They either make decisions from above or decisions from below. Decision making from above means that God is in charge and what He says on the matter is binding. Decision making from below puts man in charge; human desire and human reason combine to make decisions from below. Christian ethical decision making comes from above. Consistently Practice the Spiritua...

The work of Christ has been historically categorized in terms of prophet, priest, and king; 1  I will demonstrate that the atonement is best understood when viewed in light of these three offices. First, in terms of the Old Testament covenants we will see that Messiah (Christ) would be a Prophet like Moses, a Priest like Aaron, and a King like David. Secondly, in the New Testament we will see that Christ is much better than Moses, much better than Aaron, and much better than David. Finally, within the frame work of each office we will take a look at the atonement. We will see in the atonement a demonstration of God’s love, a demonstration of God’s righteousness, and a demonstration of God’s power. Our story covers the entire history of the Bible; it is an incredible story of creation, fall, curse, redemption and restoration of all created things. In order to understand the work of Christ we must start at the beginning. The first three chapters of the Bible set the stage fo...