Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places?

Posted on March 6, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 6 Comments

When I read this verse, there is something that haunts me. Paul tells me that I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. The verb is past tense, so it has already happened. Why then do I often feel so unblessed?

On the difference between a hireling and a shepherd

In John 10:12–13 Jesus is quoted as saying the following about the difference between a hired hand and a shepherd: “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The […]

Philip Yancey on the problem of pain

A quote taken from Where is God When it Hurts? by Philip Yancey speaks to those who are “smoldering with rage” at God for allowing pain and suffering in the world.

There is a way that seems right to a man

These verses should also inform us that because of our inclination to go wrong, a healthy dose of self-doubt regarding our ability to understand and apply the Bible is advisable. Our first parents displayed the ability to distort what God said and if we are honest, we will admit that we share this with them. It is our nature to hear what we want to hear and avoid the rest.

The responsibility of standing in the pulpit

As church leaders we must keep in mind whose is the responsibility to build the church. It is not the pastor’s responsibility. It is not the elders’ responsibility. It is not the preacher’s responsibility. It is Christ’s and Christ’s alone (Matthew 16:18).

Thoughts on transformation inspired by John Donne

Divine Poem I by John Donne: Father of Heaven, and him, by whom It, and us for it, and all else, for us Thou madest, and govern’st ever, come And re-create mee, now growne ruinous: My heart is by dejection, clay, And by selfe-murder, red. From this red earth, Of Father, purge away All vicious […]

Surgery

I stand before my maker, becoming unmade and then made again, sometimes yielding, sometimes fighting, but always under the surgeon’s knife. Which is greater, the pain of being shaped or the pain of being left as I am?