Does your church produce saints? Is there evidence in your life, due to the efforts of your church, that you are becoming like Jesus Christ? Perhaps you’d like to be on an intentional journey of becoming a saint but are being held back by your church’s theology, teaching, or practices. I’d say, go for it anyway. [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] Pseudo-Saint Some … Read More
I have written, or observed being written, over a dozen mission statements for evangelical churches and organizations. These efforts involve thought, prayer, debates, research, committees, drafts, and word-smithing. However, I’ve never heard or read of any evangelical Christian church or organization whose primary purpose was to produce men and women to be like God – men and women we’d call … Read More
The purpose of prayer is to know God. It is not primarily to get things from God or to talk to God. Prayer is communion with God in such a way that two hearts unite as one. This is how you get to know God. The Desert Father, St. Evagrius of Ponticus (c. 345-399) wrote: “If you are a theologian, … Read More
Easter Sunday has come and gone for many. Yet, the reality of the resurrection still lives on. Here’s a thought that came to me this week: the resurrection takes place in solitude & stillness. No blaring trumpets. No chorus of angels. No lightening flashes. No earthquakes. No cheering crowds. No sounds at all. This is the experience of Jesus. It … Read More
Tomorrow I head for a conference in Birmingham. But I’m getting nowhere unless there’s gasoline in my car. A sailor is adrift unless his sails are filled with the wind. An energy source is needed for vehicles to work. The vehicle and the energy source work together resulting in movement. [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] Your journey towards godliness is not ONLY by grace … Read More
I wonder what it would be like to be godly. I mean really like God. Not in a mean, despotic, controlling way like some people might think. That’s a false understanding of God anyway. But, in the way seen in Jesus. He became man so that in some way humans could walk a journey to become like God. [featured-image single_newwindow=”false”] … Read More
Caring for soul and body has been of great interest to me most of my life. I think it’s the interest of most human beings. There are few who do this kind of work well. When you find one, it’s good to get to know him or her. Today, I introduce you to a man who did this so well … Read More
You sit in church listening to another guilt-producing sermon about how you should have your own private “devotions.” You’ve tried this before and failed. Yet, no one has explained a good way to do it. So, you “wing it” day to day – read the Bible one day, pray another, include a devotional guide, find a better one, decide to … Read More
Tammy sat in front of the desk in her pastor’s office with hot tears coursing down her face. The frustration of the past 10 years gushed out. “I do everything I know to do! I come to church. I read my Bible and pray almost every day. I teach Sunday School and attend our small group. I give and sometimes … Read More
For many years, I struggled in my attempts to remember God throughout everyday life. I was too busy, too distracted, too ignorant, and too inexperienced to know what it was like to commune with God during the day. I would start out well enough in morning devotions and prayer. But, a sense of God’s presence did not remain with me … Read More
