In: discipleship
23 Mar 2009In his book “Shaped By The Word” M. Robert Mullholland outlines the differences between INFORMATIONAL reading of the Bible and FORMATIONAL reading of scritpure:
INFORMATIONAL STUDY the goal is to learn more
FORMATIONAL STUDY the goal is to be changed
INFORMATIONAL STUDY we cover as much as possible
FORMATIONAL STUDY we cover what we need to
INFORMATIONAL STUDY we read [...]
In: discipleship
31 Jan 2009As I recently wrote, its been amazing to see the outpouring of admiration and support for Barack Obama. His approval rating has dropped since he actually took office and began leading, but the honeymoon is still in full swing. People are desperate for him to be a great leader.
But even his fans probably wouldn’t want [...]
In: discipleship
27 Jan 2009I recently had the chance to teach at two churches on the topic of parenting. Following is the snapshot of the parenting mission I gave that is found in Deuteronomy 6. Parenting is a commissioned relationship to mold and model God’s life into my child.
Deuteronomy 6 tells me that I am to “mold” the life [...]
In: discipleship| salvation| theology
9 Dec 2008Each December holiday season a competitive, calculating sport plays out in homes, neighborhoods, schools, and office parties across America.
The great Christmas gift exchange.
This is the game of trading up gifts you have received.
The short version of this is played at a party, usually called “White Elephant Gifts” or “Dirty Santa”, where you must pick a [...]
In: discipleship| salvation
4 Dec 2008Two other pictures of the relationship between conversion and discipleship.
passover.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the [...]
In: discipleship| salvation
2 Dec 2008[continued]
What does the “cross” mean to you?
What were the first references to “cross” by Jesus?
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me [...]
In: discipleship
27 Nov 2008In case you’re having trouble being thankful in this economy - and not to say wealth alone is the indicator of God’s blessing - try this out:
Try out your own annual income in this form:
http://www.globalrichlist.com/
In: discipleship| salvation
24 Nov 2008I love teaching our new member’s class at church because people come from all different religious backgrounds and stages of spiritual growth.
I start the class by talking about salvation. We play a little game called I’m Dying In 15 Minutes:
I’m dying in the next few minutes - tell me what must I do, believe, feel, [...]
In: discipleship
13 Nov 2008As I sit here working in my office a holiday playlist from my iTunes library is putting me in the seasonal mood.
I love music. I am a melancholy with an artistic spirit [just no artistic talent!]. Music is a soundtrack for my life. In fact, I can trace milestones on my spiritual journey through the [...]
In: discipleship
10 Nov 2008I love worship.
And that’s a problem.
I should love God through worship, but at times my love stops at the music. From time to time I stray over the line of loving God, and I begin to love worship. A worship worshipper, a snob of worship that is not m`y style.
I am wired experientially, and I [...]
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel