Parents and church leaders, the best thing we can do for the next generation is to renounce our selfishness and come to meet Jesus at the Cross in humility and submission. We need to confess where we have compromised and seek to recover the ground that was lost. We want to hear the words of Matthew 25:21, “well done good and faithful slave.” We need to live lives that point to the reality of the Gospel.
Thoughts on Pharisaism inspired by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry’s essay entitled “Damage” inspired thoughts about how church leaders can without intention cause damage by falling into the errors of Pharisaism.
Commission and commands – Priorities for the Church
The Great Commission is the foundational text on which the mission of the church should be based. Or is it? Is there something else that needs to take priority? I think there is.
Quality vs. quantity – thoughts on building the church
Churches can be so enamored with numerical growth that the focus is on quantity and quality suffers. Heed the warning of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
The God of new beginnings and second chances
Failure is a normal part of life. How does God respond to our failures? He gives a second chance and gives us the power to do better.
Beware the leaven . . . thoughts on contemplative prayer
Contemplative prayer has become a hot topic. My concern is that by applying labels and generalities we miss an opportunity to learn and grow. The danger is that we throw out the wheat along with the chaff.
Purity of heart is the means of seeing God
The Beatitude tells us that the pure in heart will see God. What does this purity look like and how will it assist vision of God? When will this vision be manifested?
The temptation of anger in response to militant atheism
The temptation to respond in anger to militant atheism is strong. We should keep several Scriptural principles in mind when atheism strikes.
Muddy Waters, Mercy and the Fifth Beatitude
The fifth Beatitude tells us that those who are merciful will receive mercy. At first reading this sounds right to us. If you do good to others they will do good to you. It seem natural, like the popular concept of karma. Yet we see that this does not always hold true. How then should we understand this Beatitude?
On wineskins, graves, garlic, leeks and onions
When a new work is started, the newness brings with it a level of discomfort. We often refer to the old system as tried-and-true, even if the results were less than optimal. The danger is that the new work will be hobbled by those who are determined to force the new work into the old pattern. I have seen this tendency in industry and I’ve seen it in the church.