I Believe in You...
God's unfathomable confidence in us.
And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A . . .
His arm on my shoulder...
Sometimes it's easy sometimes to feel like God is just not very interested in us at the moment. Even though we 'know' that He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, our daily experience just doesn't seem to bear that out. Our prayers don't seem to get answered. Our times in the Word are dry and uninspiring. Trials . . .
The exclusive primary goal of the local congregation...
I make no apologies for being an avid fan of Dallas Willard. For me he frames issues, poses questions and introduces concepts in such a unique and intriguing way that I find myself contemplating those things long after I set down his book.
One such issue regards a statement he makes about the exclusive, primary goal of the local . . .
A Man Alone
Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” John 19:5
After Jesus had endured hours of ruthless interrogation, a brutal flogging and the humiliating mockery and disdain of the Roman soldiers, Pilate came to the conclusion that he could find no fault in Him. . . .
And Jesus Makes Three
Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 AMP
There is often a powerful reality missing in our estimation of the significance of being together with other Christians. Too often we just see ourselves and the 'other' without . . .
The warning signs of an "abusive" church.
I was involved with a fellowship that was accused of being an example of 'churches that abuse.' That accusation was made on the internet, in a book, and continues, at least with some of those who were also involved, in this current era of social media.
I have had over 10 years now to reflect on the lessons that I learned from . . .
Duel, Debate or Discussion
While re-reading The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent, I was frankly appalled by the vicious cruelty meted out to Christians by other Christians. All throughout history believers have acted like the world, or worse, when confronted by those that do not believe exactly as they do. The result? A horrible, bloody stain on the testimony of Christ . . .