Books make good conversation partners with one another; they may vivify the scripture you have been reading lately or connect to this season of life.
Of Course the Journey Is Hard
When we believe, we share in his death through baptism. We live in community, partaking of his body and blood when we assemble together. But life is still hard. Jesus himself reminded his followers that they would have trouble in this world—but to take heart because he has overcome the world.
My Enemy is (Still) Made in God’s Image
We always have the choice as to how we see another person. We can resist evil, reject unrighteousness, and even contend for the faith without losing sight of the image and likeness of God in our conversation partner, our opponent, our enemy.
Credibility: Your Secret Weapon Against Conflict
In ministry, conflict is inevitable—but it doesn’t always have to be combustible. One of the most effective ways to prevent misunderstandings from escalating is to build and maintain credibility. When people trust your character, believe in your competence, and know you’re consistent, they’re far more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt in tense moments.
The Parable of Love for One’s Neighbor, Luke 10:30-37
For Jesus, the concept of neighbor transcends ethnic, social, religious and economic differences. His teaching is a challenge to each of us because we are reluctant to help others, especially when they are not connected in any way to us.
When Encouragement is Bold
Barnabas showed us that encouragement is not soft – it's bold, visionary, generous, and healing. Encouragement isn’t always flashy, but it builds the church. It is leadership at its finest.
A Heart for the Poor
Christ approached her and gently put his arm around her, and said, “My daughter, I do not want you to be deceived, so I must tell you that you did not pass this test. Satan has overcome you and you did not know it. And I have now come to tell you to repent. For it is not the poor that you love, but yourself.”
The Spirit of God is Upon Us – Knowing and Partnering with our Triune God
What happens in Isaiah 11 is incredible. You have our Father in heaven partnering with His creation to foretell of His Son who is embraced and empowered by God’s Spirit. This is just one of many passages that show us the harmony and majesty with which our God is Triune. God affirms the way that His Son is empowered by God’s Spirit.
Re-Centering our Faith
What do our churches believe? Obviously, I can’t speak for all churches across the country. However, I can speak to part of what my friend was asking. To do so means a little bit of history and a little bit of missiological theory—plus a good dose of theological imagination. Are you ready?
The End of the Story that Never Ends
One of the struggles for many new Christians is that everything is not immediately different. In fact, they soon realize that there are still many struggles and battles to be fought. Temptation, sickness, poverty, and difficult relationships are not always instantly better just because we are born again. We spend time reminding our new brothers and sisters that this world is not our true home.
Turn Your Bible into Prayer
Here is an invitation whose ambiguity begets a kind of clarity. What does it mean to turn my Bible into prayer? I’m not quite sure, to be honest. And yet, it seems that saying it exactly that way reveals something about the nature both of the Bible and of prayer.
Adaptability as Faithfulness
Many churches fail to realize that their cultural, social, and technological landscapes are also changing, as it is in the rest of the world. The ability to adapt is essential for staying effective to the mission and to remaining spiritually relevant in a changing world.
Sterling’s Song
I would grow to be endeared by Sterling’s humor, caring nature, and honesty in the face of death. Sterling was not a particularly religious person, holding no particular allegiances to any established faith. We had very little personally in common, but sometimes you just click with someone.
Living in the Shadow of Death
It is not unusual for patients to experience spiritual distress throughout their medical journey. Conversely, many patients also find their faith deepened as a result of facing their own mortality. I find that patients who are allowed to express and explore their doubts and fears without judgement are the ones who find their faith most strengthened.
Am I Doing Any Good?: Spiritual Care for People with Cognitive Deficits at the End of Life
Perhaps most importantly, I was told told how to think differently. Instead of thinking, “I am wasting my time here,” think, “the gift of my time here honors this person as an individual worthy of love and respect.” A chaplain’s role is not to fix things or “do” something, but to bear silent witness to the suffering of another person.
Is This Heaven?
When I imagine heaven, I don’t think about riches or a lack of struggle. I really only imagine two things: God and people being present. Beyond that, I don’t really care what else is there. Gold being there would be great, but I’ll take dirt just as well.
Let Us Not Give Up Praying
Is God really hearing? Is he aware of our pain? Does he care? Yes, he does. He hears and is aware and cares. He will respond. He will do justice. He will do justice for us, and quickly. Let us “always pray and not give up.”
New Cultural Perspectives
At times, I am certain that Paul was frustrated by these cultural differences and the constant need to reacclimate to a new normal. He probably came to a point where he was never fully Jewish, never fully Greek, and had to rely on Christ even more to see him through.
Creating Experiential Bible Classes
Educators have long been familiar with the concept of a flipped classroom as a teaching tool. I have employed this method in a few of my classes when it comes to teaching additional material, books, and even sections of story and prophecy to explain. When the students have the opportunity to focus on one section of Scripture with the end goal of having to explain it, they have to grasp it at a deeper level.
Living with Death
There is the reality that the dying process may be painful, both emotionally and physically. Sometimes death is sudden, due to accidents, heart attacks, or even violence. But the day is coming when death will be no more. That is the promise of Revelation 21:4. No more death. No more mourning. No more pain.