This blog does not accept advertising or comments designed to redirect to other sites. Accepted comments post after approval. My conversations with Christians in various parts of the United States and in other countries, especially in Latin America, suggest that many Christians are dissatisfied with the world. How can Christians influence a culture, or a …
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Heaven: Wanting God
Consider these phrases from the song, “As the Deer”. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. I want you more than gold or silver. Only you can satisfy. I am glad we sing songs of faith and dependence, because the daily grind of life tends to undo the reality …
Psalm 17: A Model for Praying in the Midst of Problems
The symmetrical outline of the Psalms as presented in the NIV Study Bible parallels Psalm 17 with the better known Psalm 22 (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Both are briefly described as pleas for deliverance from the foes. The shorter Psalm 17 deserves more attention and awareness than it typically receives. …
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Effective Leaders
I am working on an article with today’s title. I want to distill the most important aspects of effective leadership into a few basic principles. I am looking for those things that are almost always a part of the lives of vibrant, growing, effective spiritual leaders. Today I share my “beginnings.” What characteristics would you …
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. …
An Identity Statement
Each church must answer three questions: Why? What? How? WHY? Why do we exist? Why are we here? What is our purpose of mission? A good mission or purpose statement fills in the blank: “We exist to….” WHAT? What should we look like? What is our identity? What makes us different? What would we look …
Encouragement–The Power of the Positive
Jan and I attended an interesting seminar recently. Although we were invited to the seminar by our Merrill Lynch consultant, the topic was not financial. The seminar was about how to stay healthy by integrating a balanced diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and socialization. One of the things the seminar presenter mentioned was the value …
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?