Blogs by Leland Maples

If we listen to the “big preachers,” the “popular ministries” or the “accepted by the scholars” modern day preaching, we get the idea that every dedicated, “sold out for God” Christian will be a financial and personal success. It seems the only thing standing between us and God’s abundant blessings is our lack of faith. If only we would really mean business with God He would pour out more blessings than we could imagine; poverty would vanish, illness would disappear and everyone would “live happily ever after.”

There is no doubt that this kind of teaching appeals to our flesh. Who...

When I walked into the Big Spring Federal Prison Camp 25 years ago next month, I had no idea that God was going to change everything about my life. I had no burden for inmates…I was only going to teach a Bible class in prison because I could not get out of it. For six years I drove 120 miles round trip every Friday night for that class. The last two years of the six we drove back over on Saturday afternoon after visitation to work with the families. It was during this time that the prison system began to expand at a rapid pace. When we started into the prison in Big Spring, it was the only...

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and...

What a fascinating time in which to live. In my short lifetime I have seen some 180 degree turns in America’s culture, philosophy, politics and religious beliefs. I can remember when most of the aforementioned were pretty much black and white. There were little, if any, gray areas. In matters of faith today, most are ecumenical, i.e., meaning “one size fits all.”

Recently the U.S .Religious Landscape Survey Report II (6-23-2008) was released. That survey, which interviewed 35,000 Americans, revealed some vast changes over the past few years.

For instance, only 51% believed in...