A few months ago, I was slightly irritated by a song that seemed to me to be of no value in my walk with the LORD. I heard it, sung it in times of fellowship and worship, and yet was untouched by it. Was I even singing to the LORD, or just joining in as [...]
God created me and redeemed me for His glory, and has promised to share that with me. I do not deserve this! If anyone is honest with himself, that one will know that he too does not deserve this gracious, merciful outcome. What do I deserve? For all my pride and arrogance, for my sins, [...]
I have been asking the LORD to teach me about what it means to pray in Jesus name. Perhaps when you hear that phrase you immediately think of how many prayers are closed: “I ask all of this in Jesus’ name, Amen.” I have been troubled in life by those who teach that prayer is [...]
Recently, I have encountered many people willing to partake in the new fad of smoking “spice” or k2, because after all–there is nothing in Scripture condemning it. Or so these childish believers think. They are wrong. True wisdom, and good theology, and the ability to know what is pleasing to the LORD does not come [...]
In speaking to a college student today about her struggles against sin, she said “it is really hard to be a Christian when you don’t live on campus.” She said that not being surrounded 24/7 by other Christians made it nearly impossible to be a Christian. To this my heart screams Yes!!! and NO!!!! Let [...]
I know that with each passing season I declare that it is my favorite and I love it. I love pumpkins and apples and autumn, I love snow and sweaters and winter, I love flowers and sunshine and spring, I love summer and camping and…and then I love autumn again. But seriously, my favorite season [...]
Meditation is one of the classic spiritual disciplines that in today’s busy lifestyle has the unfortunate fate of being a once-a-year exercise for some, and a non-option for many others. For many it becomes a non-option because it is misunderstood and sometimes seemingly intimidating. I remember years ago some fellow Christians challenging me to spend [...]
Have you ever pondered eternal life? (Or if you are reading another translation, “everlasting life”) Have you ever wondered what it is, or whether it is more than just living-for-ever? I have met many people who say pondering such things are no encouragement to the soul. They, in a round about fashion, call it a [...]
Spiritual Disciplines Several years back, it seemed as though many of my peers, my good friends at least, knew what the spiritual disciplines are and freely shared about experiences, or what they were learning, or freely encouraged one another toward these experiences. Recently I have realized that only my really really close friends talk about [...]
Who does Christ intercede for? The answer to this question is directly related to “Who did Christ die for?” But that is not the question I will tackle today. I have been learning to cherish this ongoing ministry of Christ for me lately, and so we will ponder Christ’s intercession. While reading chapter seven of [...]