PS 16:7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

When you lie awake in the middle of the night, are you sensing God instructing you into your prosperous future? His promise is for his people to succeed, after all (Joshua 1:7).

So often, we get guidance at night. Something to do with slowing down, I suppose. Being able to hear without distraction. What does God want to say to you tonight?

Write down what you are thinking about when you awake in the middle of the night.

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Timewind Entertainment is finishing my first DVD series, How to Be a Genuine Christian Without Being a Jerk. What’s it about? Glad you asked.

By the time they reach their 20’s, many actively involved young Christians are drawn away from continuing their faith life. Why is this?  There are many theories out there concerning why many so young people love Jesus but don’t like the Church. Most of these reasons deal with methodologies and cultural relevance. In other words, incredibly boring, and. well, so many churches do kind of suck when it comes to connecting with the next generations. 

But, what about beliefs? Why would vibrant people of faith falter in their core beliefs?  One of the key reasons may be that these young followers lack a strong understanding about why they believe what they believe.  Lacking such underpinnings, the young person of faith might easily fall prey to the whims of sarcasm and doubt that currently pervade much of our contemporary culture.  

To make matters worse, young believers may aggressively stand by their faith while lacking the ability to explain such to both themselves and others, thus running the risk of being labeled close-minded, arrogant, and even misguided, in essence…a “jerk”.   How can Christians gain confidence in the reasonability of their faith and learn to address questions both they and their seeking friends might have with a sense of graciousness and humility?   This series answers these questions and many more. Asks a few questions, as well.

My name is Dana Hanson, and I am a pastor/ missionary in Los Angeles (Northridge), CA.  Thank you for visiting.

This page will be where you can find further information on me, my ministries, my thoughts, my book projects, my DVD projects, and more.

Ps 14:1 Only fools say in their hearts,

      “There is no God.”

Here is a great paradox. God wants all people to love and trust him, and so he has the most tender place in his being for those who reject his love.  Yet, God’s people have the hardest time of all with people who aggressively go against God and his ways.

It must be so hard to deny that there is more to a human being than just “particles and progress,” as Dostoyevsky said. Yet, when Christians are not gracious and open to those who deny God, it gets easier.

Think of ways you can be more gracious with people you disagree with.

13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

      How long will you look the other way?

There are times it seems God is far away. This is never a factual matter of distance. God is closer to us than the air we breathe. This is reality, however when you consider perception. God does allow us to know times of distance and even near abandonment as he build us in character. Also, God isn’t likely to force himself into places he is not wanted. Part of sensing God is not there may have something to do with not wanting God there on his terms.

When do you sense yourself most distant from God?

Ps 12:5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
 and I have heard the groans of the poor.
 Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

God loves all of us equally; better than any human parent could. He plays no favorites. Yet, God does have a special heart for those who need him most. Those who don’t know him as their God, and those who are most vulnerable in society. God eventually rescues those who cry out to him.

Do you think God is playing favorites with the poor and vulnerable? Does this bother you? Explain.

Ps 11:4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
 the Lord still rules from heaven.
 He watches everyone closely,
 examining every person on earth.

Jesus is watching and more and more today, so is everyone else. Like never before, through social networks like facebook, online photo albums, e-mail, and the rest, we are able to communicate in more detail and check up on each other more than ever before. This isn’t all bad or all good; it is just reality. More than ever, our attitudes and actions in real life are a real reflection of the God we worship.

What are you most positive strengths? 

O.K. the most influential biblical scholar in my life for the last several years has been N.T. Wright. I recommend his book Simply Christian as a Luther’s catechism/ C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity wrapped up in one. A must read for Christians and an awesome read for seeking skeptics. 

10:4 The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.

The “wicked” are not necessarily mean and nasty. They may be some of the nicest people you ever meet.

To be wicked in this Psalm is to purposely ignore God and choose not to seek him. If you find yourself there, don’t give up too soon. He kinda’ grows on you after awhile.

If “God is dead,” does that mean he was alive at some time?