We have misidentified discipleship. We have distinguished being a Christian and being a disciple. We have made it two decisions instead of one. The decision to become a Christian is the same as the decision to become a disciple (follower of Jesus). Our tendency toward two distinct decisions has had disastrous consequences. People want to …
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Fruit is Natural–Not Forced
Galatians 5 contains a list of the fruits of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. The text contrasts works of the flesh with fruits of the Spirit. Some, because of this contrast (unconsciously and unintentionally) treat the “fruits” of the Spirit more as “works” of the Spirit. But the fruits …
It’s Sunday Again: Grateful
Sunday is many things to me. Some Sundays I contemplate one aspect of God and the Christian life, on another Sunday my thoughts take a different turn. Today I am grateful. First of all, for the forgiveness and restored relationship God provides in Christ. Second, for the blessings he provides–especially family, Christian family, and friends. …
A Barnabas Spirit
We give thanks to the Lord for those persons who continually refresh our spirits. Such people are often said to have a Barnabas spirit. Sunday evening, Mitch Wilburn described Jan and me as Barnabas people. We want to be that kind of Christians–and Mitch was reflecting his own Barnabas spirit in his words. The name …
A Book About Your Life?
Just thinking…. If a book were written about your life, would anyone want to read it? Who would want to read it? Why?
What is your life?
The question of the title comes from James 4. James writes that our life is a little vapor that appears for a time. If you were to describe your life in one word, what would that word be?
It’s Sunday Again: Reminders
In the Old Testament, God’s people were called to his presence and to worship for several reasons. The feasts and festivals, along with the weekly Sabbath, were reminders. One could develop an extensive list of the things Israel was to remember. A short list could include that Israel was to remember God’s nature, his initiative …
Perception and Perspective
It is not what happens to us that shapes our perceptions. It is how we understand what happens to us–how we experience and interpret and process what happens to us. The same thing happens to two different people with two different results. “The fire that melts the butter hardens the steel.” Many of us go …
Perception is reality? Which reality?
You have likely heard the phrase, “Perception is reality.” Some interpret the phrase to suggest that every perception is true–that every perception is reality, or at least contains some element of reality. While it may be true that what people perceive is a reflection of some reality, which reality is reflected? A quote from Anais …