#ten-commandments

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Creationists have also changed their name ... to intelligent design theorists who study 'irreducible complexity' and the 'abrupt appearance' of life—yet more jargon for 'God did it.' ... Notice that they have no interest in replacing evolution with native American creation myths or including the Code of Hammurabi alongside the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

Michael Shermer

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 10, Discover Contentment, Ex 20:17; Phil 4:10-13, Oct 6, 2024

“Coveting” begins in a discontented heart.  We see greener grass in our neighbors’ yard, and we assume they have a better life.  This inner emptiness robs us of the joy we might otherwise find in our own yard.  A blessed life requires that we realize that we are always blessed, even when we don’t feel like it.

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 9, Value Justice More than Wealth and Power, Ex 20:16, Jer 9:3-6, September 22, 2024

Telling lies in court is still a crime, even in our culture.  In God’s court, however, it is more than criminal.  It reveals a morally corrupt environment where the rich and powerful take advantage of those who cannot afford justice.  A blessed life, however, requires us always to ensure that truth is spoken when people are held accountable.    

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 8, Value People More than Possessions, Ex 20:15, Kev 6:1-5, September 15, 2024

The war between haves and have nots is historically waged in every culture.  Broken cultures find it easier to take from one another rather than share with one another.  This addiction to things is an infection that is hard to cure. A blessed life, however, requires the opposite from us, to love one another rather than take from one another.

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 7, Sex Requires a Lifetime Covenant, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-30, September 8, 2024

When sex is taken out of its God-ordained context of love, brokenness occurs in many forms.  When God created the human reproductive process, He intended sexual partners to remain committed to one another, so that children produced from their union could be raised in a context of love.  A blessed life requires us to honor the important role that love plays in our desire for intimacy.

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 6, Live Like People Matter, Ex. 20:13; Matt. 5:21-24, September 1, 2024

Murder is the extreme case, when one person assumes the right to take another human life. Jesus teaches us that murder is born out of hate, and neither have a place in His world.  A blessed life requires us to avoid the destructive power of hatred.

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 5, Live Like Family Matters, Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4, August 25, 2024

People have changed in many ways, but families still form a core part of all cultures.  God’s story regularly works through families, and He expects people to honor that work.  A blessed life requires a respect for the roles of both children and parents.

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Ten Rules for a Blessed Life, Week 4, Keep God First, Exodus 20:8-11, August 18, 2024

We humans naturally divide our lives into sacred and secular categories, and sometimes these aspects remain separated.  God instituted the Sabbath, however, to ensure that His people continually kept Him first in their hearts and minds.  A blessed life requires us to live every day in the sacred presence of our Holy and Loving God.