Leader || Preacher || Teacher
I arrived late to class and noticed that the mood in the room was anxious and tense. The students and teacher were speculating about an event that was happening in New York. I was confused and wasn’t following the conversation. “What happened? What are you talking about?” It was Tuesday, September 11, 2001
“We eat, we drink, the next day we die,” and that’s all there is to it. But don’t fool yourselves. Don’t let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. “Bad company ruins good manners.” – 1 Cor 15:32-33 (MSG Bible). I believe these words are fitting for our society’s current state as we are surrounded by bad news, fake news, moral outrage, hot topics, and hot takes. Our hearts are pulled into perpetual fear anticipating the next big failure, with a limited view of possible solutions. It is no wonder politics (based on fear, doomsday rhetoric, and outrage) are our religion and those in office are our saviors.
Continue reading “Good News: Believe It”
With all the many things that we read in the news and all the troubling things happening around us
Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are narrowed in their focus. He desires that his followers be changed from the inside out. Inner transformation leads to external obedience. Jesus chooses to focus on your heart. He also chooses to end his sermon with an appeal to wise faith.
(This content was originally posted at thepalmerperspective.com.)
Last week I shared with you 2 of the 5 Truth Tests for Discerning the Spirit. Today I reveal one more truth test that will help you in understanding whether or not you are being led by God’s Spirit or something else.
“Great job today.”
“Wonderful sermon.”
“You are just what this church needed.”
I just completed my first year of ministry at the Littleton Church of Christ so I still get compliments (But really, the Littleton Church is very encouraging and way more supportive than I deserve). I have found that I receive compliments best when I simply say “thank you” and then thank God in their presence for His gift of encouragement through His church.
Continue reading “5 Truth Tests for Discerning the Spirit – Part 2 (Repost)”
(This content was originally posted at thepalmerperspective.com.)
The Holy Spirit has been described by ancient Celtic Christians as the Wild Goose. He is not bound to our experiences of him nor can we try to tame him by putting him into our theological cages. The wild is scary. Most people arguably prefer a God who is predictable. “God’s got nothing up-his-sleeve.” He won’t suddenly urge us to do something that stretches our faith, will he? Ok, so just for fun, say that He does. How do we know that God’s Spirit is calling us into a new adventure or whether or not the path that I am choosing to take is on course with His path? If there is such an idea as “discerning the Spirit” how can I understand if my urging or calling from God is really from Him or something (the something is what really scares us, spooky right?) or someone else?
Continue reading “5 Truth Tests for Discerning the Spirit – Part 1 (Repost)”
Unity is a big deal. It’s such a big deal that it was at the front of Jesus’ mind leading up to his death on the cross. It was one of the last things Jesus prayed for (Jn. 17:20-21). Continue reading “3 Ways to Pursue Unity (Guest Post)”